So Download Festival is just over 2 weeks away and we know it’s always so hard to pick who you go to see. There’s always so many news bands to check out along side some of your favourites at Download Festival and we figure if we give you a bit of a preview of each and let them introduce themselves to you, it may make your planning easier.
New City Kings are an incredibly new band, forming only last year in Brentwood, Essex. But they’re already on the bill for Download Festival, so we figure they must be pretty good. But don’t take our word for it, let them introduce themselves to you.
Who are you and what do you do?
We’re the New City Kings and we travel around the country playing music.
How did you get started?
Me and my brother won a song competition for a radio station to open up at a festival. We made this tune ourselves (I played drums/keys – Ben played bass/guitars). We won the thing and didn’t have a band. 15 mins on Gumtree and New City Kings was born.
What stage and day are you playing at Download Festival?
We’re coming in for an acoustic set on the Friday, around 4:30pm on the Jager stage.
What’s the best thing about playing Download Festival?
Download always has an incredible vibe, and the lineup is great. For me, the best thing is being able to meet other artists and be a part of that family. You build a lot of bridges at festivals, lots of drunken, intoxicated, lifelong bridges.
Who are you most looking forward to seeing play at Download?
I’m a big Aerosmith fan, but also looking to check out a few new bands picking up now like Brothers and Bones, Press To Meco and Royal Blood. I just looked at the lineup again to refresh my memory and have decided there’s too many to name. You’ve got everything from The Offspring to Avenged Sevenfold. It’s going to be epic.
Have you got any surprises in store for you Download set?
I won’t be getting naked and crowd surfing at an acoustic set if thats what you’re after. But as far as surprises go, we always try and bring something a little new to the table when we perform, so you’ll have to wait and see.
What’s your best festival memory either personally attending as a fan or in the band? And what’s your advice to all the festival goers?
I was at download a couple of years back, the headlines were Rage Against the Machine, Aerosmith, and AC/DC. I suppose that sums it up really. – I’m not the best person to ever give advice, but I always try not to pass out on the first night. There are loads of great bands on early in the day, so get up and get your moneys worth while you’re at any festival.
This is your chance to have your say to make people come see your set at Download.
If you come and see us perform at Download. Purely on the basis of reading this very article, come and say hi to me after and I’ll buy you a pint! Your codeword is….
Titties.
The band are on the 5th stage, The Jagermeister Stage on Friday at 6.45pm.
