Interview Antony Szmierek: “Not many people have done Glasto, Hay Festival and Parklife in the space of two weeks”

Hello Antony! It’s been mere days since you played at Glastonbury - how did your set go from your perspective? How was the weekend as a whole? And can you confirm or deny that you faked your own death as an entrance?!
Honestly, who do I think I am? I had a stretcher-like camp bed and a bouquet of fake flowers and thought, ‘you know what would be class? Billy Bragg watching over me’. Probably the loudest audience reaction we’ve ever had and the most people I’ve ever seen on shoulders. We were made up. I’m not well now though, not by a long way.

Things have obviously been all go since the release of the album earlier this year - first off, you headed out on a hefty headline tour across the UK and Europe. How were those shows? Were there any particular moments that really stand out, a couple of months on?
It was just incredible really. Huge, huge rooms full of dancing people smiling their heads off in places I’d never ever been to. It’ll take some processing all of that, but it was certainly The Tour to remember. Me and the band really set out to enjoy this one (our first with a tour manager, Ian) and enjoy it we absolutely did. Lots of tears, lots of laughs, lots of climbing on the shoulders of strangers.

How have you found it playing some of the new album tracks live? Has it been as emotional an experience as you were expecting?
‘Restless Leg Syndrome’ was really hard to rehearse because it took a lot out of me emotionally - it’s really confessional and a lovely slow moment in a pretty hectic set. It was easier to do on tour, but [there were] tears at shows I wouldn’t expect; a big cry in Copenhagen, for some reason.

Not content with dropping an album and touring loads off the back of it, you also released your book Roadmap back in May. Can you tell us a little about how it all came together, and why you felt drawn to exploring ‘Service Station…’’s wider world in that medium?
I just felt like there were bits in that world that I could only expand upon in print. There’s an essay about Rick, a caretaker who kindly took me up the tower at Forton Services that graces the cover of the album. Stuff like that; Notes app ideas and poems that only really work written down. A book was my original dream so having one now is… mad actually. Now I think about it.

And how has it been taking this show to festivals? How do you think the shows compare with your own headline shows?
Festivals are a different beast, and I’m just struck with how varied they are in terms of crowds and reading what they want. I think it’s even more varied with our bookings: not many people have done Glasto, Hay Festival and Parklife in the space of two weeks this summer. I’ve got whiplash.

You’re heading to Poland for Open’er fest (probably as we speak!). How’re you looking forward to getting out there, and sharing your wares with the good people of Gdynia?
Well, we’re Polish! Me and my brother Martin who plays guitar. We never knew our Dad or that side of the family but we played there once last winter and it was a bit of an emotional homecoming in some ways. We absolutely love Poland, because it’s in our blood.

Antony Szmierek will play Open’er Festival, which takes place from 2nd-5th July 2025 in Gydnia, Poland. Find out more and get tickets at opener.pl.

Tags: Features, Antony Szmierek