Download Festival Bites: Normandie

It has been an impressive 18 months for Sweden’s Normandie. Having released their debut album, ‘Inguz’, to critical acclaim in early 2016, the trio ended the year supporting Yellowcard on their final UK tour. They’re now returning to these shores to make their Download Festival debut.

‘Inguz’ saw them demonstrate a skill for producing bold, anthemic rock songs that saw them be compared to the names such as Thirty Seconds To Mars and Bring Me The Horizon. While new single, ‘Ghost’, follows in the same mould; carried by a soaring chorus and anthemic “woah”’s.

As they look to keep the momentum going into Download, we spoke to vocalist Philip Strand for a quick chat.

AH: So this is going to be your first time playing the Download Festival. As we get closer to the festival, what is the mood in the Normandie camp?
Philip: Oh it’s electric! We have been looking forward to this for so long.

AH: It’s also going to be your first time in the UK since Yellowcard’s farewell tour late last year. For those who didn’t catch you on that tour, what can they expect from your set on the Avalanche stage?
Philip:
They can expect four early risers, bringing a breakfast of energy to start a hopefully beautiful day.

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AH: Many describe Donington as the home of rock and metal. How big of an opportunity is it for Normandie to be playing there?
Philip:
It’s a huge opportunity PR wise and hopefully enough Brits can get out of their tents to go catch our set! They can sleep later!

AH: You’re playing early on the Saturday. Once you’ve done with your set, who do you plan on watching for the rest of the weekend?
Philip:
Biffy, Aerosmith, Steel Panther, and of course, some of our favourite pop-punk bands that are playing the same stage as us.

AH: Away from Download, you’ve just released a new single called ‘Ghost’. How does the track compare to ‘Inguz’? How has the band’s sound developed on this new material?
Philip:
It is exactly how ‘Inguz’ would have sounded if it would have had the time to mature just a little bit more, like a really well aged whiskey! Not gonna surprise anyone, but still bring something new to the table! Mix-wise, it’s a bit more honest too which is nice. Dino really killed it with this mix, and I’m gonna give myself a pat on the shoulder for the production for sure. It turned out exactly as we wanted.

‘Ghost’ by Normandie is out now.

Normandie will be playing on the The Avalanche Stage (hosted by Kerrang! Radio) at Download Festival on Saturday, June 10th.

Normandie links: Website|Facebook|Twitter