SONGS OF THE SUMMER
Summer FESTIVALS
TEENAGE ICON Henry Northmore talks to The Vaccines as they lead the charge of the indie brigade at this year’s RockNess
‘I’ll say I’m looking forward to ‘Figurehead’ by Jonnie Common: he’s playing The Insider, and it’s a top tune.’ Julian Corrie, Miaoux Miaoux
R ockNess started out as a dance music festival but over the last few years it’s evolved into a mixing pot, as rock rubs shoulders with trance, and hip hop stars share a stage with acoustic acts. And so, rock’n’roll rabble-rousers The Vaccines take the bull by the horns as they bring their ragged guitar riffs to the banks of Loch Ness.
‘I think when we chose to work with [producer] Ethan Jones [on second album Come of Age] we knew what to expect: we wanted a more stripped-back rock’n’roll album,’ explains guitarist Freddie Cowan (brother of The Horrors’ Tom Cowan). ‘We always try to keep things simple and festivals really suit that. We pride ourselves on being able to make it work with just a few guitars, amps and a drum kit.’
They’ve already proved themselves at multiple festivals around the world – they played over 50 last year, including T in the Park in the torrential rain – and their take on indie has hit a nerve with UK audiences. Come of Age, with its tales of youth gone wild, topped the album charts. Cowan also believes the barriers between musical tribes are being eroded, and doesn’t have any problem playing the same festival as Plan B and Example. ‘I think the iPod generation is making music more genre-less. People listen less and less to albums and more to their favourite songs. People have instant access to all sorts of music so pop is becoming less and less of a dirty word.’ There’s also mutual love and respect going on here; The Vaccines can’t wait to play RockNess. ‘The crowds in Scotland are the best in the world.’ It’s a familiar sentiment echoed by musicians across the globe, but you can hear the sincerity in Cowan’s voice. ‘Some good bands are playing: I want to see The Maccabees, and it’ll be good to see Madness. It’s going to be great.’
The Vaccines play RockNess, Fri 7 Jun.
DYLAN MORAN DYLAN MORAN The Irish comedian discusses gigging at music festivals and not analysing your work
You’re one of the headliners in the RockNess comedy tent this year: are you much of a festival-goer? I have been over the years; I mean, I’ve been to loads of them but it’s generally because I’m on, you know? You can’t really generalise about them because each one is an individual animal. What are the main differences between a festival comedy crowd and a comedy club crowd? I mainly work in theatres, so the big difference with that is you’re not in a theatre. You’re outside, there’s a lot of ambient noise; generally, they’re very good on atmosphere. If it’s a good day – and even if it is raining – a lot of times, people run away into the comedy tent. Generally speaking, it’s quite an uplifting atmosphere. You’re sometimes aware of people straining to listen because it’s an open space and there are lots of other noises travelling around in the area, music especially, but there’s generally a lot of goodwill. For people who know you best as Bernard from Black Books, what differences can they expect in your stand- up performance? Well, that was a television programme about those characters set in that place, that’s not what I do! [laughs] It’s very hard to describe what you do . . . In terms of the general tone, the misanthropy and so on . . . That probably will be present, but the thing is, that’s part of me, that’s part of something I use; but you want to be doing other things as well during a show. I really can’t describe what my stand- up is like: people see it and they say it’s like that, or it’s like this, and that’s really up to them, that’s fine, but I don’t sit around all day analysing it. I just try and enjoy a show and interest myself because if I don’t do that then I won’t interest anybody else. (Interview by Niki Boyle) ■ Dylan Moran appears at RockNess, Sat 8 Jun. For more of this interview see list.co.uk. See My Comedy Hero, page 65.
ROCKNESS Dores, Invernesshire DATES: Fri 7–Sun 9 Jun + A good mix of crowd-pleasers and genuinely exciting up-and- comers, all in a gorgeous setting. - If you’re travelling from the Central Belt, it’s a bit of a trek. TICKETS: Day ticket £59; Weekend (no camping) £130, Weekend camping £139. Student, VIP and travel package options also available. MORE INFO: rockness.co.uk
WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO ROCKNESS 2013!
You could be partying in the stunning surroundings of the Scottish Highlands with the likes of Example, Plan B and Basement Jaxx there to entertain you! The stellar line-up also includes
Madness, The Vaccines, Bombay Bicycle Club, Ben Howard, Ellie Goulding, The Maccabees, Jessie Ware, Above & Beyond, Madeon, Julio Bashmore, Jackmaster, Steve Aoki and many more plus very special guest Fatboy Slim. Comedy highlights include Dylan
Moran, Jim Jefferies and Daniel Sloss. RockNess takes place from 7–9 June on the banks
of Loch Ness and thanks to our partnership with the festival, we’re offering a pair of tickets for you and a mate to head to this incredible festival.
To enter, just log on to list.co.uk/offers and tell us: When is RockNess?
Full lineup details are available at rockness.co.uk
TERMS & CONDITIONS Competition closes 31 May 2013. Entrants must be over 18 years of age. Prize does not include travel or accommodation. Usual List rules apply.
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16 May–13 Jun 2013 THE LIST 23