Glastonbury Interview // Ash
Playing on the John Peel Stage on the last day of this historic Glastonbury, Noize chatted with Ash ahead of their impressive slot at the festival.
NOIZE: What day are you playing at the festival?
ASH: Sunday night.
NOIZE: What can fans expect from your set at this year’s Glastonbury? Any surprises or special features?
ASH: We’re gonna have our super sub, Russell Lissack of Bloc party with us. He’s a great guitarist and an amazing hair model.
NOIZE: What does it mean for you to be playing at the festival and on its 40th anniversary?
ASH: It a great honour to be playing the 40th anniversary; when we played at the 25th in 1995 i didn’t think we’d be there to play the 40th!
NOIZE: Are there any bands playing this year you hope to see play?
ASH: I think we’ll get there on the saturday so we’ll get to check out some stuff that day; Foals, Seasick Steve, Editors, Muse. and on the Sunday; We Are Scientists, Temper Trap, Gang of Four and Stevie Wonder.
NOIZE: What are your festival survival tips for Glastonbury-goers?
ASH: Prepare yourself for anything. I’ve seen some glorious sights there but also some pretty harsh conditions.
NOIZE: If you could go back and see a band play at a previous Glastonbury, which band/artist would you have loved to have seen?
ASH: Wish i’d seen New Order in 2005, but i was a little worse for the wear by then.
NOIZE: What do you think are some of the most memorable moments from Glastonbury over the past 40 years?
ASH: 1995 when oasis and the prodigy went up against each other was amazing. As for personal highlights, it was hard to beat 1997 when we headlined The Other Stage on the Friday and The Main Stage on the Sunday, after Steve Winwood pulled out. Sometimes the bad weather can work in your favour.
NOIZE: Why do you think Glastonbury has been so successful for so long?
ASH: I think the whole mythology is the secert to Glastonbury’s success. It makes it stand out as in a really commercialised festival season. whether its something about the site or just peoples feelings towards it, i don’t know but it has a vibe like nowhere else of that size and status.
NOIZE: Anything you want to add?
ASH: I’d just love to say its a real honour to be closing the john peel stage on the sunday night;maybe a little teenage kicks will be played in tribute.
