Soft Launch at Reading 2024: "Days like today, when people turn up, it’s like, oh right, the numbers ARE real people"
Rising fast, Soft Launch's first Reading saw them show exactly why they're regarded as one of the hottest new bands around.
Rising fast, Soft Launch's first Reading saw them show exactly why they're regarded as one of the hottest new bands around.
Words: Jamie Muir.
Photos: Patrick Gunning.
Soft Launch are the kind of band that seems to have materialised out of nowhere, fully formed and ready to disrupt. They blend the melodic sensibilities of classic pop with an edge that feels decidedly contemporary, a concoction that’s as refreshing as it is familiar. Their debut single, ‘Cartwheels,’ is a jangling, swaggering piece of indie pop that demands attention, and from there on in they’ve yet to let up. There’s a certain brash confidence in their sound, as if the band is daring you to underestimate them, only to prove you wrong by the time the chorus hits.
Live, Soft Launch exude a raw, infectious energy that’s impossible to ignore. Watching them on stage is like witnessing a band on the edge of something big. Despite being relatively new to the scene, they've managed to capture the kind of fervent fan base that usually takes years to gather. This weekend’s set at Reading Festival is a case in point — a riotous affair that sees them win over new fans while solidifying their place as one of the most exciting new acts. We caught up with them after their set to see how their first Reading went.
Just off stage at Reading, how was that for you? Was this your first time playing?
Conor: Yeah, it was amazing, it was the first time that we’ve seen different people in the crowd coming to our gigs. There were young lads there who were jumping, dancing, and enjoying it, so that was amazing. It was fun!
You’ve been playing a lot of shows recently and often see familiar faces in the crowd. How does it feel to see brand new people reacting to your music?
Josh: I think that’s the thing — we haven’t done that many gigs still, so this is our first proper go-around, playing all the festivals and cities we’ve never been to before. So, seeing anyone we don’t recognise in the crowd is a bonus. There were a lot of lads bouncing up and down… a lot of sugar right there, we’ll tell you!
Were you nervous going into this show, considering it’s Reading Festival, which you’ve probably heard a lot about? Or are you at a point now where you’re confident and know exactly what you’re doing?
Conor: I think there are always initial nerves, but…
Josh: We didn’t have enough time!
Conor: Literally, we did a 10-hour drive and got there right before, so we’re really only processing it all right now! We didn’t have time to get nervous in the end.
Henry: We were too busy trying to find toilet paper!