As one of Britain’s brightest rock bands, The View, prepare to come to East Lancashire ahead of appearances at the prestigious Reading and Leeds festivals, JOHN ANSON spoke to guitarist Pete Reilly
IT’S been a pretty good few weeks to be in The View. The Dundee quartet have been one of the hits of the summer festival circuit and their fourth album, Cheeky For A Reason, went straight into the top 10 in the album chart.
“That was massive for us,” admits Pete Reilly. “We had got some good feedback before the album was released and some decent reviews so we were quietly confident that it was a good album but to go straight in at number nine was a surprise. The album chart these days seems to be full of East London rappers or people off the TV so for a good old rock and roll band to get there is great.”
With their high-energy live shows and songs with melodic hooks which take influences from rock, indie and even folk, The View have made great strides since four school friends decided to get together in a band.
Their debut album Hats Off To Buskers topped the chart and picked up a Mercury Music Prize nomination along the way.
“We’re pretty tight as a band,” said Pete. “Because we’ve known each other for so long we can sort things out amongst ourselves.”
The band come to Blackburn’s King George’s Hall as a warm up show for the Reading and Leeds festivals.
“I don’t think we’ve played Blackburn before,” said Pete. “It’s probably one of the few places we haven’t played, to be honest.
“It’s great to play venues when you can see the whites of their eyes,” he laughed. “Our shows are always pretty lively so fans who have seen us elsewhere know what to expect and those who haven’t need to be prepared.”
After a series of festival dates, the band head to Europe in September.
“That’s going to be mad,” said Pete. “I think we’re gigging every night, travelling from one country to another.”
The View with Tapestry, The Wagon Wheels and New York Tourists, KIng George’s Hall, Blackburn, Sunday, August 19. Details from the box office on 0844 847 1664
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