News Reading & Leeds 2011: Clock Opera

Clock Opera is better known to his friends as Guy Connelly and band, who play the BBC Introducing Stage on Friday in Reading and Saturday in Leeds. Here are Guy’s responses to our Reading and Leeds Q&A…

Have you played Reading and/or Leeds before?
Nope, first timers.

Have you ever been as a fan?
Yes, but not for a while. Last time I went I missed a lot of bands because the friend I was with had a hand-washing OCD problem, so it took a long time to leave our campsite. That and crates of 50p lager.

Reading and Leeds is known as a ‘rock’ festival. What’s the least rock ‘n roll thing you’ve ever done?
Rock n’ roll is beyond over-rated. I don’t go anywhere without at least 1000 calories about my person, usually in the form of salted nuts. I suppose being laden with snacks for calorific emergencies is the antithesis of rock and roll, but that’s fine with me.

What’s the best thing about playing festivals?
I like festivals that spring up where normally there’s nothing. Small towns appear and disappear every year, leaving little but large numbers of paper cups and a few broken tents to the fossil record. I like that, and that strangers are more interested in each other.

A few rainy festivals this summer have seen artists going on stage in their wellington boots. Is this something you’ve done or would consider?
I haven’t and I probably wouldn’t. I saw McCartney do it at Glastonbury a few years ago and it was embarrassing. I’m sure it works for some people, but I wouldn’t be able to escape that hellish vision.

Which artists are you hoping to catch live at Reading and Leeds?
I haven’t seen Tom Vek play his new songs yet, so can’t wait to see that. He’s done an amazing remix of our new single too.

What’s the secret to festival success?
Salted nuts.