Ahead of kicking off their UK tour in Manchester next week, alt-rock band Sports Team shared some trade secrets about life on the road.
Though touring in a rock band might seem like a dream come true, and it certainly is for the band’s rhythm guitarist and lyricist Rob Knaggs, it can also take its toll.
Knaggs said: “When you think about being in a band when you’re a kid, [touring] is the one bit you think about.
“It’s the greatest thing in the world, being on the stage and playing your songs to people who like them and getting to live on a bus with your mates.
“It can’t really be healthy going from city to city and doing these extended stints away from any sort of structure but it is really fun.”
Back in 2022, the Mercury Award nominated band announced a two-year break after feeling as though they had spread themselves as thinly as possible. Since releasing their debut album Deep Down Happy in 2020, they played countless gigs across the UK and America, from small sweaty pubs to large festival crowds.
Though their break was well needed, the band knew it wouldn’t be the end of their journey together.
Rob said: “NME ran this piece the day after we posted [the announcement] and they used this black and white in memoriam style photo of us saying ‘Sports Team announce extended break’ and I think we thought it was more sort of ‘We’re going to take two weeks off for Christmas’.
“We were just hamming it up a little bit to boost the like count on Instagram.”
The six-person indie rock group met while studying at the University of Cambridge and released their debut EP Winter Nets in 2018. They have been working together on their music ever since.
Their longest-ever break from the limelight came to an end this July with the release of their new single I’m In Love (Subaru), followed by Condensation in September. These new songs tease their third album, Boys These Days, set for release next May.
Now they are about to embark on a new UK tour, Rob was quick to acknowledge burnout from touring is rife in the music industry.
“We land from America at eight o’clock in the morning then we get on a bus, drive to Manchester for soundcheck, then we’re on stage for nine pm, then back on the bus and driving to the next show,” he said.
“So, however much sleep training or yoga you do, you’re f***** with that scheduling.”
But it seems the chaotic jet-setting life does come with some more unexpected perks. Rob laughed about bumping into Fred Again getting his visa at the US embassy only the day before our interview.
“It’s like being plugged into the mains. It was an absolute thrill,” he said.
“[Fred Again] has got this air of celebrity that is incredible.”
Other than casually bumping into music icons, Rob did note how difficult is it to maintain a healthy lifestyle on tour.
“Occasionally you’ll get a lime on top of your pint to make sure you’re keeping up with your vitamin C but you’re just on adrenaline,” he said.
“It’s like going to Glastonbury for five days with your mates. There’s no real way you can stay healthy, but you’ve just got to enjoy it.”
Busy schedule and rubbing shoulders with the stars aside, it is nice to know the band does sometimes manage to eat at least one of their five-a day.
Sports Team’s latest UK tour is kicking off at Manchester’s New Century on 14 November and ends at London’s O2 Forum on 25 November before the band jet back to the United States for another set of performances.
We can only hope the US has a good supply of limes.
Featured image: Sports Team by Bartek Szmigulski
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