It’s been over a decade since you last played in Australia. What made now the right time to come back —and how does it feel to return after all this time?
Yes. Too long. I’m excited to be back and explore new parts of Australia like Perth and Adelaide. So much has happened in our lives since then. There’s so much to catch up on —now is always the right time, isn’t it?
You’re jumping on Bloc Party’s 20th anniversary tour — how did that connection happen, and what drew you to the idea of joining them?
We’ve always been fans of Bloc Party. Silent Alarm is a seminal record for this band. We’re honoured to be a part of it. I think we just saw the opportunity and said, “Fuck. We have to go back.”
Both you and Bloc Party have always pushed genre boundaries in your own ways. How do you see your sound fitting into this tour alongside theirs?
It just feels natural. There are many shades to both of our bands so it’ll be interesting to see it all happen in real time. Musicians feed off of one another when they share the same stage, and that energy will only reveal itself the first night in Sydney.
Songs like “Cough Syrup” and “My Body” still hit hard with fans. With a shorter support slot, how do you decide what makes the cut for your setlist?
They’re on the set list!
You’re hitting major cities across Australia and New Zealand — is there a particular show or city you’re most looking forward to playing?
I’m excited to go everywhere. I know it’s a cop out to say it, but it’s true. We’re always up for new experiences. We hope this is the second of hopefully many more trips out here. I could probably answer your question better, when that happens.
You’ve built a reputation for powerful, high-energy live shows. Can fans expect anything new or different from this run of performances?
We are going to try new things and old. Experiment and switch around—not get too precious. We’ll honour the songs that got us here, but first and foremost, we will honour our creative spirit.
Does your mindset or prep change when you’re supporting another band versus headlining your own tour?
Each set tells the story; it’s just a matter of how fast you’re getting there. This time, we’ll just have to cut a few scenes.
Bloc Party’s Silent Alarm is such a cornerstone for indie rock fans. Was that album ever on your radar growing up or early in the band’s life?
Absolutely: I had the entirety of Silent Alarm on my first ever iPod. It just becomes a part of the bloodstream that young.
There’s a huge fanbase for you down here — do you see this tour as a bit of a reintroduction, and could it lead to a full headline tour soon?
Definitely a reintroduction. This is not the end of the story between Australia/NZ and us.
What’s coming next for Young the Giant after this tour — any new music, projects, or surprises on the horizon?
I guess you’ll have to come to the show to find out?
