VANT: “It’s not every day you end up crowd-surfing at the end”

Yesterday saw VANT making their mark on Reading & Leeds with a show-stopping debut appearance. Anything but low-key, their set saw Mattie Vant jokingly shouting “Hello Leeds!”, telling the crowd to get more dancey and crowdsurfing his way to the back of the Lock Up. Talk about an entrance.

This October sees VANT joining The Big Moon and INHEAVEN on our Neu Tour, where three of the best new bands travel across the country. There’s no doubt that VANT have all the credentials to take over.

We spoke to Mattie Vant following his set to find out exactly what went through his mind when he addressed Reading as Leeds, and what his first crowdsurfing experience was like.

“Hello Leeds” — was that on purpose?

I did it intentionally! I think my Northern blood was about getting one over on them. There always used to be this rivalry, as punter. So I thought I’d do my Leeds buddies a little favour, have a little dig. I pulled it back right at the last minute. I was trying to see how long I could leave it for. It wasn’t very long in the end. The bottles might have started flying.

So is this your first Reading?

It’s the first time playing both Reading & Leeds. Leeds was the first festival I ever went to when I was seventeen. It was probably the downfall of my early twenties and hedonistic period, I would guess. I wouldn’t be the man I am today without Leeds festival. It was really fun to finally get to play the fest though, on this decent stage.

Were you ever at all worried that Lock Up wouldn’t be a perfect fit?

It’s more hard rock, isn’t it. But I guess it was one of those things. Because it’s our first year as a band. It was just about getting something and then hoping we could fill the tent in August.

Fans are chanting your name back — is that regular?

It’s starting to become more frequent. It’s one of those things where you don’t really know what to expect before you turn up to a gig, because it’s still early days. Most of the time it’s pretty busy now. And now you’re playing for people who actually wanna see you. And it’s not every day you end up crowd-surfing at the end of a set. I went all the way back and then the security guards bundled us back through. And our bass player has a broken hand but still played the last song, in true punk rock fashion.

Describe the crowd-surfing experience.

I had no choice but to look at the ceiling and make sure someone didn’t steal my shoes. Luckily I didn’t have a belt on anyway, so they didn’t have that option. I’m well up for doing it every show, if people are willing to support a six foot two, twelve stone man. I could maybe do an up or down thumb beforehand, just to judge the crowd’s strength capacity.

Tags: News, Festivals, Vant