The University of Nottingham is where it all began for London Grammar. Hannah’s Facebook profile photo with a guitar caught the eye of Dan, he slid into the DM’s and the rest is history. Three albums later and they are touring arenas and supporting Coldplay…again. We caught up with the band backstage before the gig at the Nottingham Arena, once upon a time they were in the audience watching student ice hockey matches, they tables have now turned and they’re back at their second home to perform.

Check out the interview below…

You’re back in Nottingham where it all started for you guys, can you explain how you met and formed London Grammar?
We were in the same hall on campus. Dan saw a photo of me on Facebook playing a guitar and asked if I wanted a jam. We met dot a year later.

How good does it feel to be back where it began and to be playing at the arena?
It’s amazing to be playing an arena. We did so many gigs in front of no one so this is a real pinch me moment!

What have you missed the most from touring and now won’t take for granted that you may have done before the pandemic?
The thing I’ve missed the most is seeing our fans. I think before the pandemic I really took for granted what it means to have people who cry in the front row because your music has touched them in some way. Being able to see that again had meant a lot.

What are you most excited for about touring and playing around the world?
I think we are most excited to see how our new music resonates! And also we do love a hotel brekkie.

How do you want your fans to feel after watching you perform live?
I would love for people to feel moved in some way. And maybe feel more connected to loved ones if they’ve just had a great evening out!

What do the three of you get up to on tour when you’re not performing?
You would find Dan spending time with his family. He’s a new dad so he’s pretty busy with that right now. Or he will be walking his dog Eileen, or going to the gym. Dot loves photography and also loves a party. I reckon you might find him with his brother Bruno, jamming in their home studio with friends. And I am likely to be painting, I love art it’s my other passion. I also can be found walking with my dog who I’m pretty obsessed with.

How important is it to connect with your fans?
It’s becoming more and more important to us to connect to our fans. We’ve used social media to do that a lot more in this record and it’s been really lovely.

Who else do you enjoy listening to at the moment?
At the moment I love listening to phoebe bridgers, Sault, glass animals, Cleo sol. I’m also counting down the days until Adele’s album is released.

You can bring one music artist with you to a dinner, who are you bringing and why?
Amy Winehouse. I get so sad thinking about Amy. I wonder what songs the world has been deprived of hearing. I would ask her so many questions. (Which she would probably hate!)

What is your process of writing an album?
So far the process has been different with all three of our records. I think that is the process in a sense- finding a new process.

What does Californian Soil reflect?
I think Californian Soil reflects a coming of age album. I hope it reflects something emotional for each person who listens to it. As long as it means something to them that’s all that matters to me.

2021 has been a great year for London Grammar, what’s been the highlights?
Having a number one album! And seeing our fans again, selling out arenas and two nights at Ally Pally. Also I think the three of us have laughed so much together. Another highlight has been working hard in album four which actually was a silver lining of the pandemic.

Supporting Coldplay is exciting news! How much are you three looking forward to that?
We are over the moon to be supporting Coldplay. I mean, they are the biggest band in the world it’s a total dream come true. We’ve always bonded over our love for their music, we always use their music for inspiration when we are stuck. So that is going to be a pretty mind blowing career highlight for us.

What’s the plan after the tour?
I think after the tour we will work towards finishing our fourth record and starting our fifth. We’ve made being prolific a priority as we’ve realised that’s the most important thing for longevity -enjoying the writing process. We over worked when we were younger so we are mindful of burning out. But nothing can stop us from going into the studio it seems.