Not long until 2019’s Fireball Tour hits the UK again, we asked Less Than Jake what makes it such a blast.
Returning for its 4th year, one of the most anticipated events in the UK Punk-Rock calendar returns this September to O2 Academy venues up and down the UK with a staggering line up. This year sees ska-punk legends Less Than Jake and Goldfinger as headliners, with very special guests Save Ferris as well as the winners of the Fireball Hottest Band competition, Thieves Of Liberty. DJ Matt Stocks will keep the party vibe going between sets.
We sat down with Less Than Jake’s Peter ‘JR’ Wasilewski to talk all things Fireball and touring.
How excited are you to be headlining the Fireball tour again?
On a scale of one to ten, this one goes to eleven.
What can fans expect from the show?
The better question is what can’t they expect? They can’t expect to go home with dry clothing on ’cause they are gonna sweat. They can’t expect not to smile a lot, and they can’t expect to have much of a voice left after singing along to all the songs of every band on the bill.
What makes the Fireball tours different from your own headline tours? Do you approach putting your setlist together differently?
It allows our fans the abiity to come see a phenomenal show at an outrageously ridiculous price and we love that. As far as set lists go, we are certainly trying to play some more rarerities than we have in years past while still busting out the songs people want to hear. It should be a good balance.
The Fireball tour has a tradition of running the hottest band competition that supports up and coming local bands – how important is it to you to have that as part of the tour?
We have always tried to bring UK based artisrs on tour with us over the years – whether it was Capdown, Trash Boat or The Skints. UK artists have always held a special place in our hearts. It’s cool to be able to let a younger act share the stage with us and, hopefully, capitalize on the opportunity!
Which bands that you’ve toured with influenced you the most when you had just started as a band?
Snuff, Decendents, All!, Bad Religion, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and NOFX, to name a few.
What did you learn from them?
What to do and what not to do, basically. We all learn from and help each other still and that is a beautiful thing.
Touring the UK as often as you can, what do you love about the British crowds?
What isn’t to love? Energetic, boisterous, rowdy, caring, and absolutely (to steal a phrase) brilliant. We’d move here if you allowed us to.
Don’t miss out on all the fun with last tickets left across the tour:
19 September – O2 Academy, Sheffield
20 September – O2 Academy, Leeds
21 September – O2 Academy Birmingham
23 September – O2 Ritz Manchester
24 September – O2 Academy Newcastle
25 September – O2 Academy Glasgow
27 September – O2 Academy Bournemouth
28 September – O2 Academy Brixton, London
High Fives & Stage Dives 