Neu Get in line for Formation

Formation are back in London after a packed summer of festivals, and Will Ritson has just concluded an extremely off-the-cuff talk about the history of percussion; complete with his thoughts on latin rhythms, cabasas, and tambourines. “We do take it kind of seriously,” he admits. “We don’t abuse the cowbell. Never,” Will warns, “abuse the cowbell.”

“And,” he adds, indignantly, “there is an equal amount of woodblock!” “Woodblock’s not as cool,” snorts his twin brother Matt Ritson. “It’s like the demoted, uncool younger brother.”

When twin brothers Matt and Will Ritson first burst into view, it was their liberal use of said cowbell during Formation’s intensely energetic live shows which first grabbed attention - despite Will’s protests in favour of the woodblock. The jaggedy dance-punk strain running through the likes of ‘Young Ones’ and ‘Hangin’ picked up comparisons to early DFA Records releases, and LCD Soundsystem. It’s a huge compliment, say Will and Matt, even though they were too young to be infiltrating any kind of disco at the peak of that particular scene. Teaming up with Brighton house maestro Leon Vynehall on production for their new EP ‘Under the Tracks,’ what’s becoming most evident is that Formation can’t - and won’t - stop experimenting. “I think if we can’t do something, it would drive us more to try and create that,” says Matt, “and find out why we can’t do that.”

Formation rarely take no for an answer, in fact. Putting out their music themselves at first, in an “all or nothing” venture, they improvised their way through the first half their first ever gig - supporting Shura at London’s Village Underground - after their keyboard gave up the ghost. “It was fucking awful,” Will laughs. “It was in at the deep end. We learned how to plug in instruments properly.”

Zoom forward a few months, with keyboard dramas behind them, and Formation wound up supporting Foals on a string of European tour dates - a daunting, and incredibly impressive gig for a band that stepped on stage together for the first time in March this year. “We were really worried about playing to their crowd,” admits Matt, “because their fans are intense, mad. We’ve been winning people over a lot lately, “ he continues. “that’s our mentality.”

“I don’t know about anyone else, but I don’t give a fuck,” says Will. He’s being slightly arch, but there is an element of actual fearlessness, too, that gives the vital pulse to Formation’s live show. “I’m not sure that’s very personable of me, but I’m not scared to interact with people,” he justifies. “I think they appreciate that.”