Returning now as seasoned regulars, Boston Manor graced Donington Park once again. Aggy Gillon had a brief catch up with vocalist Henry and guitarist Mike to discuss their two part concept album and, topically, speaking about Palestine while on stage.
How many Download Festivals have you done so far?
Henry: This is our 3rd?
Mike: Yeah, so we did the mainstage in 2018 I think? This place is close to us. We did the Download Pilot. That was absolutely insane. Apparently there was about 10,000 people there. It kind of felt like we were a little part of history at that point. It was the first festival back.
You touched on that Download is important to you. How does it feel to be back?
Henry: Mega! People from other countries are envious of this festival. We came here as teenagers. It’s a big honour to play.
You have five albums out right now. You released one last year ‘Sundiver’ can you tell us a bit about that?
Mike: We started a project. We always felt we wanted to do something more like a concept album. It came out in two parts. The previous record is part one to the journey we are on. It was 2020 we started writing the songs. Sundiver is the complimentary part 2. I think Henry is the best person to speak about it.
Henry: Yeah, so it’s the part 2 to the album that came out in 2022. It’s a 24hour cycle when you put the two records together. We have been working it since the pandemic until, well, today. Today feels like the end of it.
How do you guys feel your sound has changed over the five albums?
Henry: Yeah, I just think you have to listen to it man. It’s changed a lot. We are lucky to have that opportunity to do that. It’s a journey.
You used your platform earlier to speak about Palestine. Can you tell us more about why this is important to you?
Henry: I think that a lot of people see things happening on their phones and think what can I do? I’m in a rare position where I can speak to 80,000 people. I’m not blind in thinking people don’t know about these things. I think the focus right now is to not get numb to it all and keep thinking about it and keep talking about. If I can use my platform for anything positive in that regard I feel we all feel strongly about I’m gonna do that.
How did you all get together?
Mike: We all played in the local scene. We were all in different bands. We out on each other’s shows. A lot of those bands came to an end. We were all ready to do something else. We were all in the same friendship circles. It came together quite naturally. Five of us wanted to play music again. We were all really excited to be in a band again.
You formed in 2013. You must have been quite young when you guys got together?
Henry: Nivia for men.
Mike: Henry was six years old.
Are you guys here for the whole weekend?
Henry: No we have stuff on tomorrow. Usually with these things it’s getting the show done. We are going an acoustic set tonight in the village. We are hanging around for the day.
Interview and photo by Aggy Gillon