Chvrches: "Tonight's slot feels like a real progression" • News • DIY Magazine

Last year Chvrches played on the Festival Republic stage at Reading and Leeds Festival, and it felt like a bit of a special moment for them. A moment in that from the minute they got on stage, their takeover seemed complete. Chvrches gave it everything, and the rowdy, sweaty crowd did the rest. Welcome to synth-pop royalty.

Returning to Reading and Leeds this year, Chvrches are set to play near the top of the Radio One/NME stage’s bill at 19.30. Speaking to DIY backstage, Iain Cook, of the band, told us that tonight feels like another of those special moments. “It’s not usual that you get asked to play the same festival twice in succession, so we were delighted to be asked back,” he says. “Tonight’s slot feels like a really nice progression.”

Lauren Mayberry nods in agreement, “yeah, [last year’s Reading and Leeds slot] came at a busy time for us, but it always holds a special place in our hearts.”

Despite being T In The Park-goers as teenagers, Chvrches are still in awe of Reading and Leeds’ massive reputation, too. “It’s one of the main iconic ones,” says Iain, “the Nirvana show, Rage Against The Machine, historic moments.”

Besides focusing on tonight’s slot, Chvrches have apparently heard on the grapevine that Katy Perry is going to join Alex Turner and Co. at Arctic Monkeys’ headine set later on. “She’ll come on for ‘Fake Tales Of San Francisco,” advises Lauren. “They don’t play that one enough.”

After last year’s #didowatch, who knows. You heard it here first.

Tags: News, CHVRCHES, Festivals