'I'd dream of playing Leeds - now we are'

Photo: Bekka Simpson

Cupids

AFTER a hectic spring and summer on the festival circuit, Oldham favourites Cupids are now slowly gearing up for what promises to be fruitful end to this year, and a successful 2017.

The release of top class anthemic single Kickin' In has been the highlight for me this year, one which has seen Cupids make further in-roads on the club circuit and blast the festivals.

Front-man Jake Fletcher and Sid Cooper, bassist Ryan Comac and drummer James Cardus have rocked the Great Escape in Brighton, Kendal Calling, the Isle of Wight, the Leeds Festival and many others, while further highlights have been appearances in Manchester, Liverpool and London as the fan-base keeps on growing.

The pinnacle for sticks man Cardus, however, was the Y-Not showpiece weekender, which went ahead - with the help of new music backers This Feeling - in Pikehall, Derbyshire, at the end of last month.

Cardus said: "It's been busy, and probably the highlight for me was the Y-Not Festival.

"I've not been there before, and it was just a case of 'what a great crowd and what a great stage'.

"This Feeling really looked after us and it was fantastic.

"This year This Feeling have really been pushing the unsigned bands. There's a guy called Mikey Johns who's doing a good job. He's lives for it, and that's really nice to see."

The recent Leeds appearance was to be another proud moment for Cardus, who alongside his band mates, have seen a near seamless switch from former incarnation the Gramotones last summer.

"Leeds Festival is my Mecca really," added Cardus, speaking ahead of what was sure to be another frantic weekend.

"I remember being there when I was 16 and having Metallica blasting my ears.

"I was looking round and thinking this was the holy ground for me.

"I do prefer the smaller festivals, but Leeds is really special.

"I remember imagining playing there when I was 16, and how incredible that would be.

"That was never going to happen for me, but now we're doing it and it's great."

Next up for Cupids is a gig at the 'Brit Project' dayer, alongside the like of Primal Scream, Badly Drawn Boy and Black Grape, at Trafford's Victoria Warehouse, and also Manchester's Neighbourhood Festival on October 8.

"There's a lot going to be going on later in the year now to be honest," said Athletic fanatic Cooper.

"We've got track releases planned, but we're not rushing anything.

"It's still coming together. We're not being lazy, we're still working hard and stuff like that.

"We're always going in and out of the studio. We've really found our sound we feel now.

"We've got new management and while there are tracks almost ready, we've no solid plans to release anything yet.

"We don't want to spurt our creative juices just yet.

"It's all positive, which is nice. We're all looking forward to the future and are happy that people still want to come and see us."