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