After tearing up the UK for a few dates earlier this year, Arcane Roots have taken ‘Melancholia Hymns’ into Europe with none other than Jamie Lenman in support. While Andrew Groves is no stranger to running around Europe in recent years with ‘Roots, it's Jamie’s first foray abroad for ten years, so what better time to share some stories of being on the road?
How's Europe treating you?
Andrew: Usually we do Europe first then the UK, I don’t know why. The UK is much harder, less forgiving, so we've done all the stressful stuff and have come over knowing what to expect. It’s actually been pretty stress-free.
For you Jamie, how have you found coming out as the support having just finished your headline tour?
Jamie: I quite like being a support act, but it's been a long time since I’ve been a support act, actually. In one sense there's pressure off because you’re just an appetiser for the main act but in the other sense, you do have a responsibility to not go out there and fuck everyone off.
It’s been a while since you’ve been in Europe, Jamie, what do you remember do being out here?
Jamie: The first time we ever went on stage in Europe was with Billy Talent back when I was in Reuben. First ever gig we did was this fucking enormous arena because they’re huge over there and the roar went up, they knew it wasn’t Billy Talent going on but some band they’ve never fucking heard of they were like, “We are ready for fucking anything!!” and we gave it to them. You don’t get that anywhere else.
What are the best tours?
Andrew: These last three days.
Jamie: Awww man. You can go on tour with a band you admire musically, and maybe you don’t get to be such good friends. You can go with great friends and like, “I respect what you do but I wouldn’t listen to it.” But it's very rare to get a band you would actually listen to. ‘Melancholia Hymns’ is one of my favourite records of last year, and we're already buddies outside of music, and that’s fucking rare! So to go on stage and watch them every night is really fantastic.
