The Lottery Winners will be performing at Neighbourhood Weekender festival next year. We caught with frontman Thom Rylance to find out a bit more about the band…
Firstly, we hope Thom is recovering ok from his recent injury?
I’m fine! Soldiering on. A lot of people are saying that I’m a very brave and very handsome good boy.
Tell us about the band and how you all got together?
I suppose the story isn’t very magical or awe inspiring. We were just all little goons and mates and we liked music and The Smiths and we had no choice but to start the band. I feel lucky because we are genuinely best friends, and a family, and I can’t imagine being stuck in van with anybody else.
How’s the tour going? You’ve sold out many dates including Manchester’s Albert Hall in hours! It must be a great feeling to perform to sold out crowds?
Oh man, it’s bananas. The Albert Hall thing completely blew our undies off. We honestly didn’t expect that. It’s a lot of tickets.
And equally, we’ve sold out venues in pure weird places that we’ve never heard of, like Tunbridge Wells and Buckley and Scunthorpe. That’s crazy as well. Like people know my name. I’m rambling, but I’m excited.
You’re currently playing dates with The Reytons on their UK tour and will be supporting Frank Turner next year, what do you take away from sharing the stage with other great artists?
I actually really enjoy doing support slots. It’s a nice challenge to play to audiences that don’t particularly know you. It’s your job to turn them into fans. I like that.
Also, it’s great to watch and hangout with amazing musicians every night. There’s nothing better than touring, it’s the best.
You’ll also be performing at NBHD Weekender festival in Warrington next year on Sunday 28th May. Are you looking forward to this?
Absolutely! Wanted to do this festival for ages. It’s a well sick line up this year, and I’m gonna make it my mission to be a ‘stand out’ band on it. GET ME ON THAT STAGE.
What is your festival necessity?
A main stage.
Tell us about your album that you released last year ‘Something to Leave the House For’, what was the creative process behind it?
I really like that album, and what it means to me. We recorded most of it in my garage and Air B&B’s. It’s a lot of songs written during that stinky time where we all stayed at home in our knickers and watching the Sopranos, but I didn’t want it to be a ‘Covid’ album. Despite the title.
For those who haven’t seen you live before, what can they expect from your set?
I just really hope that people leave happier than when they came. That’s all I want really.
What does 2023 have in store for the band?
BIG MOVES. Moves that make me nervous. Huge collaborations. Our best album yet. Our biggest ever tour in our biggest ever venues (like too big). I think we’re gonna be a proper band next year. Like proper.
Any messages for your fans?
Love yourself.
The Lottery Winners will be performing at NBHD Weekender festival in Warrington next year on Sunday 28th May 2023.
Saturday 27th + Sunday 28th May 2023 – Victoria Park, Warrington