Express & Star

Razorlight added to the bill for the Solihull Summer Fest

Indie pop favourites Razorlight have been added to the bill for the Solihull Summer Fest on Saturday and Sunday.

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The line-up will also feature 10CC, Alesha Dixon, Sister Sledge, Rak-Su, Roland Gift, Busted, Lightning Seeds, The Beat and Sugar Hill Gang.

Razorlight drummer David ‘Skully’ Sullivan said he was looking forward to playing the show and added that fans were in for a treat from a star-studded line-up.

He says: “It’s going to be great to get back to it. We’ve been playing quite a bit recently, which has been nice. We’ve done quite a few dates.”

The band took a break following the release of their third album, 2008’s Slipway Fires. But they are looking forward to releasing new music later this year. Skully adds: “The album’s out in October. We’re really proud of it. I think it’s kind of like in between Up All Night and Razorlight, with a whole new element added.”

The new material has been written by principal songwriter and frontman Johnny Borrell (pictured, right).

Skully adds: “Johnny is a very creative person and was working on a lot of different musical projects and put his energies elsewhere for a while. He’s back now though and he’s enjoying it and we’re having a great time. It’s great time to play those songs.

“I think Johnny’s just ready to embrace it. Obviously we’re pleased that we’ve been able to do some gigs here and there. Now his creative interest has aligned with the band. He’s pleased to be doing new material with Razorlight.

“It’s been great over the summer. We did a little secret gig in London last night for a magazine, unannounced, and we’ve got a gig today at a race course. We’re just really looking forward to playing at Solihull too. It’s been a fantastic summer and we’re delighted to be back.”

Johnny reveals his interest in writing new Razorlight material as far back as 2014 when he says: “I’d quite like to, but I find it very hard getting on with the record companies in this country. As soon as you mention Razorlight the dollar signs appear in their eyes. It’s been so long since we’ve done anything and yet the band is still treated like a cash cow.”

Now, after a series of false starts, the band are back and ready to rock at Solihull with a new Razorlight album coming up before the end of the year.

Other bands playing at the Solihull Summer Fest this weekend include Blue, Busted, Sister Sledge, 10CC, Lightning Seeds and Rak-Su.