Features The Great 2019 Debate

Oh, 2019. It’s been an interesting one, eh? Sure, our country is still in the middle of a political shitstorm and we’re all edging scarily closer to a climate catastrophe, but there have been some shining moments in the middle of all that doom and gloom. We thought it was only right to head down to the pub with some DIY faves and have a bit of a debrief about the good (and other) times we’ve had this year. Rallying the troops to the Old Blue Last, we got Jack from Mystery Jets, Will Joseph Cook, Sports Team’s Alex Rice and Self Esteem to dissect the goings on of the last 12 months.

2019 is nearly over! What has everyone’s highlight been so far?
Jack: Is it still 2019?
Alex: What a start!
Rebecca: I played Glastonbury, finally. That sounds good when you tell your family that.
Will: I spent loads of time writing in the US this year.
Rebecca: In LA? Ow, when do I get to do that?
Will: It’s such a different lifestyle. It doesn’t make any sense. You end up living the lifestyle that you took the piss out of. I was three weeks in and then realised I’m vaping weed on a bird scooter on the way to a Korean spa.
Rebecca: I’m well jel.
Jack: Mine was that I had a baby. Well, I didn’t actually have it.
Alex: Congratulations!
Jack: Thank you very much! The whole year this album has been coming out and I was like, well I’ve just had a baby, I don’t really care about the album now. But now she’s nearly one
Rebecca: Album time, baby!
Will: The baby is old news now.

You mentioned Glastonbury, what are we thinking will happen at the big 50th anniversary next year?
Alex: 1975 will headline. Matty Healy will lecture people. Wheel out Greta Thunberg.
Jack: Isn’t a thing when whoever does the secret Park set will headline next year? I reckon Foals will do it. I’d definitely enjoy it more than The 1975.
Rebecca: I’d like to go on record as liking The 1975.
Will: Yeah, I like them too. Please take me on tour!

Anyone got any good past Glasto stories?
Jack: I got snuck in when I was 18. My first ever Glastonbury gig was at Strummerville at the top of the hill and we didn’t have tickets so they snuck us in in the back of a van underneath sofas. It was us and Bastille. They were like “They’re gonna search the van in 20 minutes but just lie still and don’t make any noise.”
Rebecca: Oh my god…
Jack: They said “When we get to the other side, I’ll shout Columbian marching powder and then you’re in!” It was brilliant. The door busted open and we were in the middle of the festival. Beans On Toast organised it.

Sorry Rebecca, but we’re gonna have to mention this year’s Mercury Prize too…
Rebecca: Don’t talk to me about it.
Alex: You were robbed!
Rebecca: When my manager said, it was like telling me my dad had died! She was like, “I need to speak to you…” I’m obsessed with being nominated for something. I’ve never had an award; I’ve never been nominated; I feel deeply under-appreciated across the board. When I did Self Esteem it was a real massive goal and it didn’t happen. But I’m fine about it!
Alex: You were in a band before that yeah?
Rebecca: Yeah, we never got shit either! But it’s fine. I’m clearrrrly at peace with it. Next one! I do respond well to prizes and huge confirmations of my talent, but it’s fine!

What do we think about Dave winning it?
Rebecca: It’s fine, he’s really fit.
Alex: The ‘Psychodrama’ album is amazing.