‘IDOLS MAFIA WILL SAVE EDM’
Sons Rival Scott Holiday with the UK. Q. You’ve enjoyed a love affair
Sons? How important has it been to Rival
“It’s very important to us, and it’s been way, way, way too long, so we’ve neglected our relationship! We’re playing in London at the Roundhouse and that is like a homecoming for us. We know it’s not our home, but it’s a venue we’ve played before and it has a special place in rock history, so feels like home.”
Q. You toured with Black Sabbath for 13 months. What did you learn?
“Sitting down with Tony [Iommi, guitarist] and learning the secrets of his playing was very special. It was also inspirational to see how well they treated their crew.”
Q. Ozzy recently cancelled some gigs due to illness. What did you make of him?
“He’s a madman on stage, obviously, but when he’s off stage he’s a very kind and gentle man. He’s been that crazy guy who did copious amounts of drugs and released some of the heaviest albums on Earth, but he’s very different now. He’s a grandfather, so it was nice to see that warm and caring side of him.”
Q. Who would you love to collaborate with?
“I played Smoke on the Water with Deep Purple at the O2, so maybe I would return the favour. I feel like I have so many great famous friends that it’s difficult to narrow it down. Oh no, that sounds a little up my own ass, doesn’t it? Someone will read it and say, ‘You don’t want to collaborate then, mate?’”
Q. What’s been your worst show?
“I’ve not been drinking for a while now, but when I was drinking I’d have a couple before a show. One night at a festival in Norway things got away from me a bit. I had more drinks than I should have, and didn’t realise until I was on stage. I remember being in slow motion and thinking, ‘Oh no!’ It was a massacre!”
Q. How do you feel about Brian recording Johnson with your pals AC/DC again?
“AC/DC built the city we live in – they’re the foremen of rock’n’roll! It’s great that Brian is back, they had to record with him. They did some shows with Axl [Rose], but it would’ve been weird if they’d recorded with him.” CHARLI
XCX needs a lie down after landing yet another duet.
After releasing a song with Clean Bandit and Bhad Bhabie, the Boys hitmaker has been in the studio with yet another star in the making. Charli has been working with
Sky Ferreira, confirmed by Sky in a recent Instagram post.
Plus Charli kicked off the Grammys in style and joined regular collaborator MØ on stage for a duet of If It’s Over. She promised a huge 2019 and Charli is already delivering.
SUPERSTAR DJ Steve Aoki believes the return of Swedish House Mafia will save dance music.
After five years on ice, the house music trio are making their comeback this summer at a time when electronic dance music (EDM) has taken a backseat in the charts.
Steve told me: “Swedish House Mafia? I’m a huge fan, they’re the pillars of what
EDM is all about.
“The term was created around them, and
They pushed that culture forward and you can’t deny the power of them on a cultural scale. It couldn’t come at a better time – we need them.
“I’m so excited about what they’ve got going on and their stadium tour.”
Steve’s shows are renowned for his wacky sideshow, where cake is thrown into the audience.
The relentless party-starter is bringing his famous bun show to the UK next week, beginning in Glasgow, to support his Neon Future III album – and it will get messy.
Steve said: “We got our own cake rider and ingredients list. We get a special cake. It’s very creamy. I want it to be more messy than anything. That’s what the front row will be expecting so I don’t want to let them down.”
Steve’s played all over the world but says no nation quite matches us Brits for noise and passion. Recalling his first tour here, Aoki said: “You guys are like, ‘Here we f***ing go!’ That’s the chant for Glasgow. Whenever I think about that city I think of the crowd. “The UK crowd that go to football games might be the most passionate crowds in the world. You don’t want to be on the opposing side, you might get killed.
“It’s like gladiators back in the ages, people are roaring. It’s the same energy in the show and they give it 100% at any big gathering. Any show is mental here – especially Glasgow. The bar is set pretty high.
“It’s different seeing an American game, it’s different here the passion the energy and the culture is infectious.” Although Neon Future III is still box fresh, he’ll be road testing new material as well, as he explains: “Neon Future IV is coming out and it’s another huge collaboration concept. I will be dropping some exclusive records and some tunes that aren’t out yet. It’s a high-intensity show, lots of interaction with the crowd.” Catch Steve at Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds, Nottingham, London and Bristol.