A VETERAN indie-rock band thought it was “great” to perform in Colchester for the first time and would like to play in a city landmark if they return.
London-based group White Lies have been part of the UK music scene for almost two decades.
Comprised of guitarist and singer Harry McVeigh, bassist Charles Cave and drummer Jack Lawrence-Brown, White Lies’ 2009 debut album To Lose My Life went to number one in the UK music charts.
Since then, the band have scored three top ten albums in the UK music charts, won various awards, and sold-out numerous headline shows across the world.
The band also supported The Smashing Pumpkins at five other dates across the UK throughout August, including a concert at Gunnersbury Park in London.
Speaking about the Colchester gig, Harry said: “It was a great show, it was a beautiful day which always helps, and it was outdoors, a very nice setting and crowd, we had a good time.
“Before The Smashing Pumpkins Shows, we hadn’t really played all that much this year at all.
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“It was probably nine months since our previous show.
“I think on the first [few Smashing Pumpkins] shows, we were a little bit nervous. I think they were good but personally speaking I was really in my own head whilst I was playing. Really thinking about it, the muscle memory hadn’t kicked in, I suppose.
“By the time we got to Colchester, I felt much more relaxed and so was able to enjoy the show, enjoy the crowd, it was really fun.
“That was our first ever show in Colchester, it’s always great to play in a place for the first time, especially 20 years into your career.
“To know we have fans in that part of the world is great.”
Charles was disappointed that the band didn’t actually perform in the castle but did get “a bookmark from the castle giftshop”.
He said: “I must admit, I thought in my head we would literally be playing in a castle or a castle courtyard.
“I was slightly crestfallen to not be surrounded by turrets but perhaps that is something we can aim for in our future, to play the actual castle.”
Jack ended up walking through Castle Park after the concert as he had to rush to get home.
“I left to get a train really quickly after that show as I was going on holiday early the next morning, I walked through the park and did see the castle, and it’s quite legit, it was good”, he said.
Jack added: “I was impressed in its state.”
White Lies is gearing up to release their seventh studio record Night Light on November 7 via PIAS Recordings.
Jack listened back to the Colchester show, where the band played big hits like Death, Bigger Than Us, and new album single Nothing On Me, because White Lies have a fan club where they share live recordings.
He said: “It sounded really good.
“What Harry said about being in his own head, actually we didn’t sound like we were in our own heads too much which is quite a nice feeling.
“It’s always like that when you’ve had a bit of time off, you have to remember how to do your job to some degree.
“Nothing On Me, the first song on the new album, we did it justice. It sounded great.”
When posed the hypothetical question if they would be willing to return for next year’s Summer Series for a headline slot, the band would be up for it.
Harry said: “I’m not sure we’re a big enough band but if we were offered it, we would take it with the drop of a hat, definitely.”
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