Happyness: “I first went to Reading at 13, then every year after that.”

The pursuit of Happyness wasn’t that much of a challenge last night (23rd August) for eager punters looking to see the exciting London trio make their Reading & Leeds debut. Showcasing songs from the ‘Weird Little Birthday’ debut, the band - Ash Cooper (drums), Benji Compston (guitars) and Jonny Allan (bass) - played a late slot on the BBC Introducing Stage, and they arrived tonight (24th August) in Leeds for the second leg of the weekend.

Looking back on their previous R&L experiences, Compston declares himself to be something of a veteran. “I first went when I was about 13. And I just went to Reading every year after that. I don’t know why my mum took me at that age. Irresponsible parenting - it’s a dangerous world for a 14 year old.”

Festival season’s also seen the band arrived at Green Man festival, which they describe as “beautiful and poignant and gorgeous and lovely,” and this October the group are set to play their first US shows at this year’s CMJ Festival.

“It should be really fun,” says Compston. “It’s really exciting, a lot of our influences are from the States and New York specifically. It’s going to be nice to be there. As humans we’ve been to New York before - as musicians, never.”