Festivals Florence Road: “We don’t get caught up in overthinking - it’s about chasing a feeling and putting it down while it’s alive”

Hello Florence Road! Who are we chatting to and how are you doing?
Hi! It’s Ailbhe, Lily, Emma and Hannah here - we’re doing very well thank you.

You’re fresh off a pretty hefty run of live shows and festival slots; how has this summer been for you as a band?
It’s been so brilliant! This was our first proper festival run and we’ve loved every second of it. We’ve learned so much; every crowd brings its own energy, and it pushes us to bring something new at every show. There have been so many highlights from the summer but one that really was incredible was All Together Now Festival in Ireland. We walked into that tent not realising just how big it was, so to then see it completely packed… our heads nearly exploded! Playing to a home crowd is always really special, so that moment felt huge.

Are there any other particular highlights that have stood out?
Opening for Wallows in Belfast, Glasgow, and London was a real pinch-yourself moment. Each show was incredible, but playing Brixton Academy was just surreal. That room is iconic, and to see it completely packed while we were on - especially as the support - honestly took us by surprise. The crowds across all three cities gave us so much back, and we’re hugely thankful to Wallows for having us along. Those nights will stay with us for a long time!

Back in June, you released your debut mixtape ‘Fall Back’. What do you think it says about you as a band?
‘Fall Back’ was a long time coming; some of those songs had been sitting with us for a while and were ready to see the light of day. We’ve spent the last 18 months writing and really figuring out who we are as songwriters, so it felt right to finally let them go…! What we love about the mixtape is that it shows the instinctive way we make music - we don’t get caught up in overthinking, it’s about chasing a feeling and putting it down while it’s alive. We’re incredibly proud of what ‘Fall Back’ says about us, and it feels like the starting point for so much more.

Your latest single ‘Break The Girl’ has just landed - can you tell us a bit about the inspiration for that track? 
Hi, Lily here! ‘Break The Girl’ is a very special song. I was having a tough conversation with a friend, and it was on my mind when Ailbhe and I went into a session that week. It was hard to see someone so beautiful and who I love so much be treated incorrectly, and I couldn’t think about anything else, and so ‘Break The Girl’ was born. It’s got sad lyrics but it’s upbeat, and I think it represents the idea that sometimes all you can do is push/sing through the pain.

You’re heading back out on the road to play a ton of shows overseas over the next couple of months. How do you mentally prepare for taking your music so far from home?
Honestly, the excitement is carrying us already - we’re sooo buzzed to be taking our music so far from home across the world. It’s the first time we’ve done something like this really, and we can’t wait to go to places we’ve never been before and do what we love to do: play our music…. Loud!

You’re also going to be playing at Reeperbahn Festival; what do you hope people will take away from your set? Are there any other acts there you’re hoping to catch?
We cannot wait for Reeperbahn! We honestly just hope that people enjoy themselves at our set and feel the music. Music sometimes (nearly always) speaks louder than words, and if people can take a song or even a lyric that resonates with them in some way, then we’re happy campers. We’d love to catch Alice Phoebe Lou, Matilda Mann and She’s in Parties while we’re there too! 

Reeperbahn Festival will take place from 17th-20th September in various venues across Hamburg - including Molotow Club, where DIY will be hosting our very own stage on Wednesday (17th). Find out more and nab tickets at reeperbahnfestival.com. 

Tags: Features, Interviews, Festivals, Florence Road, Reeperbahn Festival, September 2025