Photo Credit: Dave East
It’s an exciting time for rising four-piece YONAKA. July saw the release of their Seize The Power mixtape, featuring collaborations with Jason Butler of FEVER 333 and Barns Courtney, which they celebrated with a special show at London’s Signature Brew. Now, the band are gearing up for an appearance at Reading & Leeds Festival before they hit the road with Nothing But Thieves and Airways in October. We caught up with YONAKA ahead of their upcoming shows, to find out their top touring tips and stories from the road.
Favourite thing about touring:
Definitely the fans! There’s nothing better than hearing a crowd scream back our songs while covered in sweat. Its also super cool to be able to explore cities and places we’ve never been and eat amazing food.
Least favourite thing about touring:
The waiting around before shows. There’s usually like five hours between soundcheck and us going on stage and it feels like you’re waiting for ever to get on stage and get stuck in.
Five essentials for the road:
Paracetamol for hangovers, bean hunter app for good coffee, extension cables for hotels with stupid plugs, trackies for long van journeys and swimmers for hotels with a pool.
Your favourite way to pass the time:
Taking photos of each other looking hilarious and ugly asleep in different places.
“The Most”
Memorable moment:
We played a show in Poland called opener a few years back that was awesome. It was our first time there and the whole tent was proper vibing to our set. Also our last London headline show at Electric Brixton will always be a standout.
Hilarious moment:
Our tour manager at the time telling Alex and Theresa there was a swimming pool in the basement floor of our fancy hotel and watching them walk through reception in their swim wear and ask at the front desk where it was.
There was no pool.
Embarrassing moment:
Having to restart a song three times on stage, that was a LOOONG time ago and we’re much better at our jobs now.
Outrageous moment:
The whole of the tour with Bring Me The Horizon and Fever 333. Seeing them play live every night was amazing and being able to play to arena crowds was incredible.
Drunken moment:
Rob couldn’t get into his tent at truck festival one year, so decided to sleep on top of it with a bottle of rum instead.
Rewarding moment:
Being able to get on stage a perform for a crowd, meeting our fans at the merch after a show and hearing how our music affects them, it’s the best feeling there is.
See YONAKA perform at Reading & Leeds Festival, or on tour with Nothing But Thieves and Airways at one of the following dates:
October 2021
Mon 4th – BIRMINGHAM – O2 Academy
Wed 6th – PLYMOUTH – Pavillions
Thu 7th – CARDIFF – Motorpoint Arena
Fri 8th – LONDON – The O2
Sun 10th – BIRMINGHAM – O2 Academy
Mon 11th – GLASGOW – Barrowland Ballroom
Tue 12th – GLASGOW – Barrowland Ballroom
Thu 14th – MANCHESTER – O2 Victoria Warehouse
Fri 15th – MANCHESTER – O2 Victoria Warehouse
Sat 16th – NOTTINGHAM – Motorpoint Arena
YONAKA‘s Seize The Power mixtape is available to stream or purchase HERE.
