Chvrches talk main stages and, err, their favourite crisps at Reading Festival

By now, Chvrches are Reading and Leeds veterans. Way back when the Glaswegians first put out their debut album ‘The Bones of What You Believe,’ they took it on holiday to Festival Republic, and a full-blown, synth pop explosion of colour followed. Eager to get a second slice, they came back for more, rising up through the ranks, and outgrowing even the biggest tents knocking about the place. Now, adding a third Reading and Leeds to their shirt-sleeves, Chvrches show tonight will be a completely different kettle of fish altogether.

“We get to do the main stage,” grins Lauren Mayberry, sheltering from the desert-like conditions outside with her bandmates.

Playing the main stage comes with its own set of perks, of course, and Chvrches proudly gesture towards various items around their dressing room – potted plants, sofas, and the blessing of an electric fan – as they sit down for a pre-show natter. “We were pretty sensible,” admits Lauren, nodding in the direction of the band’s rider. “I think people think of riders as being full with ridiculous demands, but this is the food we need to survive,” she says. “So we have some vegetables, water, some beers…”

“..and Cashew nuts!” exclaims Martin Doherty, beaming the beam of a very delighted man. “The most exciting thing today is that they’ve given us a packet of Skips, he adds. “I haven’t had Skips in years!”

Besides the excitement surrounding the band’s plentiful supplies of Skips today, they’re also buzzing to take to the main stage later on, and this festival in particular is close to their hearts. ”It’s one of the greatest festivals in the UK,” Iain Cook observes. “It’s legendary. Growing up in Scotland, you’d see who was playing in Melody Maker,” he adds, “and it’d be like, oh my god.”

“I guess we’ve got a lot of rock crossover fans,” ponders Martin, “so I really get that crossover element here. People are super, super up for it,” he grins. “We’re a band that straddles a few different genres, a little bit, so to come here and be well received is always a special thing.”

Photo: Sinead Grainger