Feel Good Festival: RedFaces

Photo: SKW Events

Feel Good Festival - RedFaces

Following an energetic and lively set on the main stage at Saturday’s Feel Good Festival, Sheffield band RedFaces spent some time talking to Rochdale Online about their experience.

They commented: “We had a really good response and it was a big crowd. It’s nice when loads of people who don’t know you make the effort to watch.”

Bassist and vocalist Isaac said: “This festival is a hidden gem and they treat you well, and it does make you feel good.”

Drummer Charlie added: “This was the first time we’d heard of Rochdale actually.

"Our latest single ‘Wise Up’ had a good reception and we saw people trying to sing to ‘Dead End Town’ and lots of people had their phones out.”

Charlie, 19, Harry, 17, and Isaac, 19, were all friends at school together and always loved music, having had other bands before. They ‘stole' guitarist and singer Ryan from another band and became the RedFaces.

The group signed to Sony last year and released their debut single, ‘Kerosene’, earlier this year. It made Radio One’s ‘Best of Introducing’ playlist and was named ‘Record of the Week’ by radio stations across the country.

Harry said: “We always get asked about our name, and it’s from one of our first gigs at school. We probably had quite red faces because we were embarrassed. Someone suggested the name and it stuck.”

Isaac laughed: “It’s a terrible name, but it’s memorable.”

Currently, they have two singles, ‘Kerosene’ and ‘Wise Up’, with a third single slated for release today. At the time of interview, the band could not divulge the title, but could reveal the track featured in their setlist played.

Opening with their demo track, ‘Katie, Come Home’, the band played ‘Fun To Be Young’, ‘Take It Or Leave It’, ‘Glass Half Full’, ‘Dead End Town’, ‘Eight Going Down’ and both their singles.

When asked what they’d possibly be doing if they weren’t in the band, Ryan, who turned 21 today, revealed he’d like to be in the RAF. Isaac added he’d wanted to become a molecular biochemist and had studied science A-levels. Harry, who didn’t go on to further study, wasn’t sure what he’d be doing, and Charlie thought he’d stay in music but be more involved in the production side of things.

Musically, they are influenced by the Britpop scene, The Kinks, The Smiths, Kasabian, Jake Bugg, Gorillaz and Elvis Costello, to name but a few.

Isaac commented: “Bands seem to shy away from pop music these days, and it’s a shame because it’s been dominant for the past 50 years.”

The band have a packed schedule over the next few months. In addition to the release of their new single, RedFaces are also playing Hardwick Live, Soccer Six Fest and Neighbourhood Fest, with a tour starting on 18 September.

They also plan on working towards an album, “writing, recording and having a good time”.