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Drenge prepare for their main stage debut: “We deserve the main stage. In fact, the main stage deserves us.”

“It’s like going to the shoe shop to get a different pair of shoes, because your feet are a bit bigger,” they say of their rise up the Reading & Leeds ranks.

Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett

28th August 2015

No Reading & Leeds is complete without the sight of Drenge climbing the ranks and becoming a bigger force, year on year.

Two years on they were playing the Festival Republic - the year after that, it was #dressgate and they stole the show on the NME/Radio 1 stage. This year, they’ve got their debut on the main stage. The stakes have been raised, and the Loveless brothers (and bassist Rob Graham) are torn on whether it’s terrifying or exciting.

Below, they discuss the ins and outs of Reading and why they won’t be sporting dresses this time round.

You’re main stage fare now. Is it scary?

Eoin: It’s not though, is it - really. It’s for the taking, isn’t it. Let’s come out with some choice attitude quotes. Mumford & Sons, they’re not really headline material! Where’s Slipknot?!

Rory: We deserve the main stage. In fact, the main stage deserves us.

Eoin: It just feels like a natural progression. It’s like going to the shoe shop to get a different pair of shoes, because your feet are a bit bigger. It’s just a shame there are no bigger shoes - it’s reaching size twelve now. It’s just a stage isn’t it.

Rory: But for what it’s worth, I am terrified.

Eoin: Oh bore off mate. It’s gonna be a good show. With all the hits and all the kids moshing. Safe moshing, by the way.

No dresses this time? You’re keeping it all about the music.

Eoin: Why would you want to become a gimmick band?

Rory: What does a dress even mean?

Rob: The problem is I’m in the band now, and I’d look far too good in a dress. I’m not sure these guys are ok with that.

Eoin: Yeah we’ve had people going, ‘Everyone thinks you’re gonna do something this year!’

Rob: Which is a definite catalyst not to.

Eoin: Always piss on anticipation.

What was your first Reading experience?

Rory: We played the Festival Republic.

Eoin: It was raining, so it was full to the brim. We were on before Swim Deep. There was a double circle pit. And then last year there was a quadruple circle pit. So either it’s going up in twos or it’s doubling - we’re looking for octuple or sextuple circle pits.

Photo: Sarah-Louise Bennett.

Tags: Drenge, News