Ever wondered what being backstage at Reading and Leeds Festival looks like? Well, wonder no more! Gigslutz has been given exclusive access to images of Southend rockers Asylums that showcase all the antics the band got up to over the August bank holiday weekend.
Compiled as a visual essay by resident Cool Thing Records photographer Kana Waiwaiku, the photos capture the band’s performances at Reading’s Jäger Haus (sponsored by Jägermeister) and Leeds’ This Feeling Stage (sponsored by Jack Daniels). Luke, Jazz, Henry & Mike look like they had a brilliant time. We’re not jealous. At all. *cries*
Kana’s shots include a FREAK encounter with a friend of Cool Thing Records, backstage interviews, the band taking full advantage of the free booze, and looking for that pesky van. Asylums’ debut album Killer Brain Waves is on sale now, and if you missed them at Reading & Leeds don’t panic; they’re playing Bestival this year too!
Feast your eyes on the photographs below….
The van’s loaded, ready to roll…
Buggy adventures on site at Reading
Luke realises he’s forgotten his hairbrush
Jazz & Luke struggle to play table football
Catching up with FREAK backstage at the Jäger Haus
Pre-show drinks are flowing
Henry warms up his tub thumpers
Sound check in the spotlight
The Jäger’s kicking in…
Jazz imitates a grass snake
Jazz imitates a lion
Floorboards are friends
Time to get some new jeans…
Colour co-ordination at its finest
Bass hat
Luke’s crowd-surfing addiction continues
Reppin’ the Jäger merch en route to see King Gizzard and the Wizard Lizard
Trying to find the van…on a ferry
Laughing or crying?
Laughing, but where’s the van?
The universal sign for finding your van
On site at Leeds Festival, with a hangover
Chatting about the new album & Cool Thing Records
Free bar, round two…
The banter’s in overdrive
The male gaze
This Feeling stage at Leeds, the show begins…
Step in to the light…
Purple Rain vibes
No microphone-saliva sharing
Henry just doesn’t work hard enough
Starting to lose the plot
Down on your knees lad
Time to find that van again…
An abnormally long stop for (expensive) petrol
Dinner?
Sweet Tooth Luke
Come dine with me
Free Jack Daniels is a glorious thing
Adventure Time impressions and a home-made Cool Thing hoodie
The long and winding road (home)
Lairy in a service station. Stay classy.
The immaculate hair is starting to slip…
Use the force, Luke (aka your panini)
48 hours of fun complete. Time to crawl in to bed.
Huge thanks to Luke Branch for giving us access to this exclusive content.
Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut