With the help of Tim Glynne Jones and his team at New Music Nights, Pub in the Park have selected four locally based bands to open for the likes of McFly, Sam Ryder and Gabrielle.
Ahead of Pub in the Park next weekend, I sat down with our local talents who will be taking to the main stage to get to know everything about their band, their music and how they are feeling about their upcoming performance.
Cellar Door
How many of you are in the band?
There are four of us in the band. We’ve got our lead singer Hannah, lead guitarist Jackson, drummer Caoimhe, and our bassist Leah.
How long have you been performing?
The band originally formed about four years ago but as a trio. It has seen a lot more growth since the recent addition of Jackson last year.
How did you all meet and decide to start making music together?
We all met through school/college and our shared love of similar music tastes brought us together. We started out just jamming together but when we realised how much we enjoyed playing together, it soon turned more serious.
Who are some of your major influences, both as a band and individually?
Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, Fleetwood Mac, The Smiths, Royal Blood, Led Zeppelin.
How do you feel about performing at Pub in the Park?
We’re majorly excited. We’re very grateful to have this opportunity and to share our music with so many new people.
Give 3 words that encompass what fans can expect from your set at Pub in the Park.
I think our three words would have to be Punchy, Energetic, and Entertaining.
How do you prepare for a performance like this? Any pre-show rituals?
Before we go on stage we love to listen to our inspirational artists, that just amps us and gets us in the mood to go out there and kill it. We always practice together as a group beforehand but our biggest pre-show ritual is annoying our guitarist Jackson by singing the entirety of the riff off from Pitch Perfect.
Are there any special surprises or new songs that you’ll be debuting at the event?
Our new single Tulips as it’s a very special song to us, as well as debuting a new song, Steel Water that no one’s heard before.
If you could pick any other artist or band to collaborate on a song with, who would it be?
We’d have to pick Radiohead.
What’s your most memorable gig you’ve seen or performed at and why?
Reigate New Music festival a couple of weekends ago has to be up there as we got to perform our single Tulips and the crowd lit up the Tunnel with their phone torches. It marked the end of some of the band’s A-levels as well so that made it even better.
Cellar Door will be playing at 18:15-18:45, opening for Sam Ryder on the Friday Night so if Friday is your session of choice make sure to steer away from the bars and head to the main stage!
Follow Cellar Door on Instagram and preview some of their songs here.
Morning Tourist
How many of you are in the band?
On the day, there will be 5 of us, but sometimes it’s just me or somewhere in between. It’s kind of dependent on who’s available and what kind of stage it is. For Pub in the Park, we will have me on vocals and guitar, Simon on the drums, Alex on the piano, Harvey on the guitar and Ollie on bass.
How long have you been performing?
If I’m honest, with that line-up it’ll be the first time this group have performed together. Don’t worry we are rehearsing beforehand; we’re not planning on getting up there and winging it as this is a big performance for us. Simon has been with me for a few years now as has Harvey. Alex has been doing it for about a year and Ollie is brand new. I’ve been doing it for about 6-7 years somewhat seriously at this point.
How did you all meet and decide to start making music together?
Really, it’s just me. I made the first record as a solo artist, which I released independently, but it was made to sound like a band, so I invited people to play alongside me. That was one era of people I managed to keep around it but over time people drifted out and in overtime. I’ve ended up with a circle of musicians around me who could be Tourists at a given show, as I say it’s dependent on their availability. More often than not, it’ll be the same guys. I met this group in different ways, Harvey was someone I met through work, Alex I met through one of my music students, I work with Ollie currently and Simon I met through Harvey.
Who are some of your major influences, both as a band and individually?
I guess I have to say the Spice Girls. When I was growing up, it was all punk rock and indie music which was a good entry point to songwriting but when I was in my late teens, I drifted away from that and got more interested by songwriter-y types of people, like the Bob Dylans in the world. My songs are quite lyrically focused, often accompanied by acoustic guitar or performed solo, so it definitely lives in that world, but it’s dressed as an indie rock band. We all listen to lots of kinds of music and it all gets into your vocabulary, it can sound a bit more country or a bit more heavy or whatever depending on the song.
How do you feel about performing at Pub in the Park?
I’ve not walked out in front of that many people before, so it’ll be interesting. Obviously, there is a built-in amount of nerves performing anywhere, but being on stage for us is quite a comfortable place for us at this point; so hopefully it’s not too overwhelming. It’s a tremendous opportunity and it’s very exciting especially in mentioning that the Spice Girls are my biggest inspiration in both music and fashion so to be opening for Mel C is very, very, very cool. I’ll also mention that Reigate is where I grew up so to come home and open for my idol feels like a ceremonious moment of sorts.
Give 3 words that encompass what fans can expect from your set at Pub in the Park.
Gosh that’s hard. Energetic, Funny,.. Whenever people ask what my music is like I say ‘it’s fine, I promise, you’ll like it’… Let’s make that my three words. You’ll Like It.
How do you prepare for a performance like this? Any pre-show rituals?
That would be fun if we had like a chant or like a power rangers power up sort of thing, but we don’t unfortunately. I used to drink honey and lemon tea and that became sort of like a safety blanket thing, now it’s lozenges, and beer. I can’t speak for my other bandmates; they might have a pre-show handshake that I’m not aware of.
Are there any special surprises or new songs that you’ll be debuting at the event?
No surprises that I’m aware of at this point but we are going to play a new song. I demoed it the other day and it will probably come out as a single ahead of a tour that we are doing in November but yeah, no doubt that we’ll be playing a new song.
If you could pick any other artist or band to collaborate on a song with, who would it be?
I just watched this movie called The Greatest Night in Pop which is about some of the biggest stars coming together to record ‘We Are the World’ in the 80’s which is like the American version of BandAid. With account of that film is in my brain, I’m going to say legendary producer Quincy Jones. Even though he’s not quintessentially appropriate for the music of Morning Tourist, I’d love to see what he would do to it.
What’s your most memorable gig you’ve seen or performed at and why?
I’m fortunate enough to have seen a lot of very cool performances over the years and it’s hard to pick just one. I saw Leanord Cohen at Glastonbury after he’d been away for many years, and he was just amazing. I remember very clearly a quite elderly couple standing right in front of me and they were dressed in their Sunday bests, completely covered in mud. I started chatting to them and it turns out they were wearing the same outfits they were wearing to see Leanord 30 years prior to when he was last in the country. That was a beautiful moment.
Morning Tourist will be performing at 12:15-12:45, opening for Mel C on the Saturday afternoon so make sure to jump off the Inflatable Olympics so you and your family don’t miss their amazing set.
Follow Morning Tourist on Instagram and preview some of their songs here.
Fever Rouge
How many of you are in the band?
There’s 4 of us in the band, used to be 5 yet the abyss came and did its thing… I (Ollie Hughes) sing and play rhythm guitar and Luke Loizou plays lead, Oli Mooney is on drums (yes there are two Ollie’s in the band) and we’ve got Alain De Gouveia on bass.
How long have you been performing?
We’ve all been performing from a young age, mainly in school shows and stuff like that, nothing more really but it was so fun and there’s nothing like that feeling of being on stage where it can all go so right yet so wrong at the same time but it’s all in your hands. It’s on a knife edge really, mainly depending on how many pints you’ve had before…
How did you all meet and decide to start making music together?
I’ve known Luke since year 7 and we first started making music together when we were in year 10, so around 13/14 years old, but it was in college where we decided we wanted to start a band and Mooney joined. We decided to move to Brighton to really try and make this work, where we met Alain and things have been a big crescendo ever since.
Who are some of your major influences, both as a band and individually?
As a band we’re a big amalgamation of all our individual influences but people say we remind them of the Arctic Monkeys, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and King Krule with a bit of Deftones here and there. Our individual influences vary from classic rock and psychedelic rock to funk, jazz and trip hop, but very much overlap which gives way to our own style of music we create, each expressing our influences but coming together to form an experimental alternative rock sound with funk and psychedelic rock elements imbedded. Individually, Luke is inspired by Jimi Hendrix and Gorillaz, Alain by Tim Commerford RATM, Flea and Marcy’s miller and Mooney’s talent on the drums was inspired by John Bonham (obviously), Phil Selway, Yussef Dayes, and a selection of Jazz drummers such as Tony Williams and Art Blakey.
How do you feel about performing at Pub in the Park?
Performing at Pub in The Park is special, it’s where Me, Luke and Mooney grew up and played around in for many years, so to come back after moving away and to play with someone like McFly who’s first album came out when I was born is so surreal and pretty mental.
Give 3 words that encompass what fans can expect from your set at Pub in the Park.
ROM COM VILLAIN.
How do you prepare for a performance like this? Any pre-show rituals?
We don’t really have a pre-show ritual sadly.
Are there any special surprises or new songs that you’ll be debuting at the event?
We’ll see, we’re recording our next EP at the moment and this gig is right in the middle so we’ll see how many new songs we’ll drop in the set, maybe all, maybe none… definitely some. Seriously though, this next body of work we’ve got we are all so proud of, and it’s a massive step up so we can wait for this next year ahead.
If you could pick any other artist or band to collaborate on a song with, who would it be?
I’d love to collaborate with Damon Albarn or Robert Del Naja from massive attack, I think anything they touch turns into pure gold they’re incredible musicians and activists.
Oli Mooney:
I’d love to collaborate with Peter Hook and Paul Simonon, the bassists of Joy Division and The Clash respectively as they both have a unique sound and are versatile, I think we could make something cool. Damon Albarn would be great too.
What’s your most memorable gig you’ve seen or performed at and why?
Alain De Gouveia:
Best gig memory- between the first show with Fever when I was sick like a dog and still played it.
Luke Loizou:
Best gig I’ve seen has to be A Kitchen Lover gig, the raw emotion was incredible to watch.
Ollie Hughes:
Most memorable gig I’ve seen is either Kendrick Lamar at the O2 or The Smile at Alexandra palace. Most memorable gig I’ve performed at was probably, either playing the Exeter Phoenix with Die Twice, our Green Door headline in January or supporting Canned Pineapple at the Prince Albert in May, there was so much energy for that show.
Oli Mooney:
Most memorable gig I’ve performed has to be our Green Door Headline in January. Great show, great bands, even better afters.
Fever Rouge will be opening for McFly on the Saturday evening so step away from stuffing your face full of ridiculously good food and make sure to head on over for a boogie at 18:15-18:40!
Follow Fever Rouge on Instagram and preview some of their songs here.
Anna Howie
How many of you are in the band?
There are 5 of us. Me and 4 big, hairy blokes.
How long have you been performing?
With some of them years and years. With my guitarist Andy, I first went to him for guitar lessons about 15 years ago and we’ve been working together ever since. With Roger, who is my drummer, we’ve probably been gigging together for about 10 years and with our most recent addition John, who's on the bass, he’s been with us for about a year. We also have Harry, who's on the keys, but he is here, there and everywhere so we grab him when we can as he’s gigging all over the world but luckily he’s free for Pub in the Park.
How did you all meet and decide to start making music together?
I’d been doing stuff by myself for years but the more songs I wrote and the more gigs I did the more I wanted to work with other musicians. Andy and I do a lot as a duo so if the gig requires a more acoustic vibe then only the two of us will go, but recently I’ve been doing a lot more with the band. You have to have the right kinds of personalities in a band, and I think we all fit in pretty well like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. We just have lots of fun performing with each other which, hopefully, is reflected in the music we create together.
Who are some of your major influences, both as a band and individually?
I love all of the country greats. The likes of Dolly Parton, and Linda Ronstadt, also Joni Mitchell and Bonnie Rait have always had a heavy influence on me and more recently Brandi Clarke and Brandy Carlisle . For the guys, in the band, they have also always been into the traditional country rockers too but they also take influence from a lot of the old time blues players like Joe Bonamassa.
How do you feel about performing at Pub in the Park?
I feel excited! Bring it on. We’ve got quite a big July as a band because we’re in the final for the Pilton Stage at Glastonbury so we’re geared up and ready to go.
Give 3 words that encompass what fans can expect from your set at Pub in the Park.
Our 3 words would have to be Rocking, Country Stories.
How do you prepare for a performance like this? Any pre-show rituals?
As a band our main aim is to get there on time and be at the right gate. As an individual, I do lots of ridiculous things. I do a warm up and stop eating anything major about two hours before to make sure my voice is ready. Drinking A LOT of water is also key but the main thing is finding the perfect outfit.
Are there any special surprises or new songs that you’ll be debuting at the event?
We’re working on a new album at the minute so we’ve got a lot of new tracks in the pipeline that might make an appearance, we’re not sure yet, we’re playing it by ear. We’re playing a lot together over the next couple of weeks so that’ll help determine if any of the new ones are going to creep in.
If you could pick any other artist or band to collaborate on a song with, who would it be?
That’s a tricky question! I’m going to say off the cuff, Guy Garvey I’d like to write a song with him, I love his writing, I love him as a person and I am a big fan of all the music he has created over the years.
What’s your most memorable gig you’ve seen or performed at and why?
For me as an individual, I was voted in as an emerging artist at Black Deer festival last year which was really special to me as that festival is practically everything that is my music. As a band, getting through to the final of the Pilton Stage competition was really special especially as Micheal Eavis was a judge and we had a lovely conversation after. It’s those little moments that make being in the performing world so special.
Anna Howie will be opening for Gabrielle on Lazy Sunday so stop exhausting the Surrey drinks collective of their tasters in the Home-grown area and go and have a listen to her incredible vocals at 13:15-13:45!
Follow Anna Howie on Instagram and preview some of their songs here.
So there you have it folks, now you know everything there is to know about our local headliners and if you haven’t already bought your Pub in the Park ticket yet, head to their website now!