Interview Brooke Bentham looks ahead to Sound City: “We have a few new songs that we’re playing”

The singer-songwriter plays the festival this weekend.

3rd May 2018

Newcastle-via-London singer Brooke Bentham released her debut EP ‘This Rapture’ late last year, a strong first release in which Brooke pairs indie-folk instrumentals with emotive vocals. Now, Brooke is upping her live game with a series of shows and festivals over the next few months.

Ahead of her performance at Liverpool Sound City this weekend, we spoke to Brooke about her festival plans and new music.

You’re playing Liverpool Sound City festival this May, is it one you’ve been to before?

I’ve never been, no. I’ve been to Liverpool once or twice but only to get the ferry to Dublin. Really excited to see The Beatles to be honest.

Are there any bands playing the fest that you’re definitely going to see?

I really wanna see Mellah and Sorry. Also, I want to catch my fellow toon folk Plaza and Sam Fender.

Could we be in with a chance of hearing any new material at the show?

Yeah, we have a few new songs that we’re playing. I’ve been writing for the last year so it would be shocking if I didn’t really, wouldn’t it?

Any big highlights of last year’s festival season?

Green man. Green man. Green man. I love that festival so much. I love crawling out of my tent and being right in front of a mountain. I went to see Aldous Harding there and it was really great. A wasp landed on her mid-song and she didn’t even flinch. Huge respect. I saw Kevin Morby at Latitude and that whole band is amazing. Meg Duffy, his guitarist, is incredible. Also, Fleet Foxes headlining Latitude was really lovely, I loved them when I was younger and it was the first time I’d seen them and I felt very nostalgic. There was a proposal on stage too. Very cute.

If you could give punters one bit of advice for when it comes to festivals, what would it be and why?

Please don’t get annoyed if an artist stops mid-song for a wasp, because some people are very scared of wasps.

What one item do you take with you when you’re on the festival trail to make life more luxurious?

There’s only so much luxury a festival can do. This is actually a hard question, I have no idea. I can’t just say hand sanitiser. That stuff just makes your hands sticky anyway so it’s useless. You’re doomed. Maybe a portable phone charger. God sorry, that’s the best I can do.

Brooke Bentham plays Liverpool Sound City this weekend. Tickets are available here.

Tags: Brooke Bentham, Liverpool Sound City, Festivals, Features