[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Sandwiched between their just-finished jaunt with You Me At Six, and their support slot with Nothing But Thieves, Vant are heading out on their biggest headline tour to date. Just before they set off, frontman Mattie filled us in with to what to expect.
Hey Mattie, how’s things?
I’m good, a little tired. We’re just driving through a picturesque Welsh mountain range, so I can’t grumble!
You’ve a long stint on the road this autumn – how do you prepare for such a lengthy set of gigs?
We’ve been gigging pretty relentlessly for the last 18 months. So it kinda feels like we’re continuing to plough through rather than preparing in all honesty.
What’s your favourite thing about being on the road?
We’re very lucky to have an opportunity to travel the world while doing something we love. The whole thing is pretty amazing.
How do you stop weeks of hotels and motorways from becoming boring?
If you can embrace tour madness and turn it into a positive, invent stupid games, exercise, have fun, be creative and savour your time on stage each night you can avoid the dark side quite easily.
Are there any gigs you’ve got coming up that you’re especially looking forward to?
We’re excited for our headline tour. Festivals and support slots are great but we get way more satisfaction from a set without rules and time restrictions. London Scala is going to be massive for us.
You’ve just started your support run with You Me At Six – how’s it going so far? Are you getting on ok?
It’s wonderful. All the venues have been packed by the time we’ve got on stage each night, so it’s been an amazing way for us to reach a new fanbase! The crew and band are such welcoming, nice people, we really can’t thank them enough for all their help.
Which do you find most challenging: the pressures that come with a headline show, or having to win over new fans in support slots?
Definitely support slots. It’s really hard to gauge how well you’ve been received at times when you compare it to a good headline show. We know our fans are fucking nutters and it’s been a below average show if it’s anything but absolute chaos. Sometimes we’ll finish a song as a support band and have this huge roar from the crowd, even if they’ve barely moved a muscle, it’s about learning to appreciate difference audiences and understanding what signifies a good or bad show in various scenarios and circumstances.
What do you think is key to putting on a good show?
Honesty and energy. If you play from the heart and put everything into your performance the crowd will respond in a similar way. It eventually becomes a cyclical experience with each component pushing the other further and further as the set progresses. Sometimes when the balance is perfect on both sides it results in a unified euphoria, it makes you feel alive.
Are there any new songs you’ll be testing out live that fans should keep an ear out for?
Our new single ‘Peace & Love’ has just come out so we’re looking forward to seeing how it goes down.
If you could say one thing to convince someone to pick up a ticket to an upcoming show, what would it be?
We’re trying to give a lot of people a voice that has been lost for a long time. We want to shake things up. Live music has and always will scare the shit out of those in power. Where better is there to show your frustration and passion, whilst remaining peaceful and showing respect for your fellow humans, than in a place where you are truly free to be whoever you want (for a few hours at least) without the pressures of normal society? Culture and protest change the world, if you want to help us continue that tradition, come along to a gig and show your support.
Taken from the November issue of Dork, out now. Vant are currently touring the UK, their remaining dates are: Edinburgh, Electric Circus (23rd November), Glasgow, King Tuts (24th), Hebden Bridge, Trades Club (25th), Coventry, Kasbah (26th), Brighton, The Haunt (28th), London, Scala (29th).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coeO8HWHjoc” css=”.vc_custom_1479835875124{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row]