Band is staying sharp
INDIE superstars Razorlight will headline one of North Wales’ newest festivals. The band will debut tracks from their forthcoming album at the Vangollen Festival in Llangollen on Saturday, May 20.
Details of the album are all under wraps for now but Razorlight’s New York drummer David “Skully” Sullivan said the band can’t wait for fans to hear their new tracks when they return to North Wales later this spring.
He said: “The new album sounds somewhere in the middle of the first and second Razorlight album, it’s really exciting, high energy with loads of indie rock songs.
“It’s been a while since the band released new music so I think people are really eager and excited to hear it.
“We are really proud of it, we can’t wait for our fans to hear it. We’ve been writing for a while now but Johnny is really focused and has written a whole load of new songs.
“We’re hoping the first single will be released in the summer time but we plan to debut a few of our songs at Vangollen as it’s the first festival of the summer for us.
“So it’s likely this will be the first time we ever perform them live which is pretty cool.”
Vangollen, a new three-day music and VW camper van festival takes place at Llangollen’s Royal International Pavilion from Friday, May 19, until Sunday, May 21.
Thousands of music and camper van enthusiasts are expected to attend the weekend event with 80s pop group The Christians and local band, White Noise joining Razorlight on the line-up.
As well as the musical line-up, the festival will also see more than 100 trade stalls, hot air balloon and motorbike shows, children’s activities, as well as a Show and Shine competition for camper vanners.
In 2006, Razorlight reached the pinnacle of their career when their selftitled album - including the UK number one hit America - which topped the UK album chart and went on to be certified multi-platinum.
Over their 15-year career, the band, fronted by Johnny Borrell have played shows alongside Queen, U2, Oasis, The Who and Florence and the Machine.
But despite their huge success, in 2009 drummer Andy Burrows left the band and was replaced by rock star drummer, Skully.
“Obviously I would have loved to have shared that success back in 2006, but I’m happy with what I’ve achieved since being with the band,” Skully added. “It would have been wonderful to have been around at that time.
“Andy Burrows and I are really good mates, if anyone was worried there was any beef, we’re actually friends and he’s a really good guy.
“Johnny is focused on doing the band again, I feel the problem over the last few years, his creative energy has been focused elsewhere but now he’s focused on the band and that’s exciting so hopefully we’ll get back out there and have some more of that success that he enjoyed a few years Black Boy Inn, Caernarfon: Third Thursday of month: Folk night. First Sunday of month: Geraint Lovgreen (in the bar). Also free snacks in the bar in evening. T: 01286 673604. Edinburgh Castle, Holyhead: Fri: Karaoke. Weds & Sun: Carvery. T: 01407 762015. Llanberis Social Club: Live ent: Sat, Apr 1, Sheila Black.T: 01286 872027. Douglas Arms, Bethesda: Quiz Night second Tues of month, at 7.30pm. Proceeds to Moel y Ci. T: 01248 600219. Liverpool Arms, Menai Bridge: Weds: Quiz 9pm. Sun: Music back.”
As well as music from their new album, Skully said fans at Vangollen can also expect to hear the classic Razorlight set including huge hits from Golden Touch to America, Somewhere Else and In the Morning.
For more information on Vangollen and to buy tickets, visit the website vangollen.com. The Valley Anglesey: Last Friday of month: free live music. Weds, Carvery. Thurs, Grill Night. Last Thurs of month, 3 course pasta night £9.95 pp, 5pm-9pm. T: 01407 740203 Breeze Hill Hotel, Benllech: Thurs’s 9pm: Quiz night for local charities. T: 01248 852308. The Owain Glyndŵr, Llanddona: Tues, Fish chips & peas. Fri, Curry night. £5 each from 5-8pm. T: 01248 810710. Tap & Spile, Bangor: Tuesdays, free entry prize quiz 9.30pm. T: 01248 370835. French Conversation on Thurs 7pm-9pm, (intermediates and above). For more details please email: jannieu@tiscali.co.uk The Bull Inn, Bethesda: Weds 9pm, Jam Session. T: 01248 600438. Anglesey Arms, Caernarfon: Thurs, quiz night, Fri, live music. T: 01286 672158. Pant-yr-Ardd, Tregarth: Tues: Bingo. Thurs: Quiz.Sat: Live Ent. Sun: Disco. Sky TV. T: 01248 600057. Anglesey Arms, Menai Bridge: Thurs: Fun quiz 9pm. T: 01248 712305. The North Wales Guitar Circle meet here at 7.45pm on the second Tues of each month. For more details please see: northwalesguitarcircle.co.uk