Biffy Clyro say they ‘feel at home’ playing Download Festival

Biffy Clyro are now veterans of Download Festival, having worked their way through the stages and up the bill.

They’ve headlined the main stage twice, but some people still seem to think they’re an odd fit for the event.

In a new interview, the band looked back at their 2022 headlining appearance and declared themselves perfectly at home in the setting.

Asked by Ticketmaster if there was a process of adjusting themselves for the audience and occasion, bassist James Johnson replied, “It’s a good question, because we are aware of the fact that KISS are playing, Iron Maiden are playing, it’s a metal festival.

“But they booked us to play Biffy Clyro songs and to be Biffy Clyro, so it’s trying to be confident enough in what it is that you do as a band. At the same time, you also want to slightly cater to the audience you’re playing for, so yeah it’s a bit of a balancing act."

Watch: Biffy Clyro - 'Cop Syrup' (live at Download 2022)

He continued: “But it would be really annoying if you went up there and tried catering your set to an audience and they didn’t like it. It can be a real mess, so I think you just have to be confident in what you do, and put your best foot forward.

“It went really well. We’ve played at that festival five or six times, so it’s somewhere we feel quite at home. From where I was stood, it seemed like everyone was having a good time at least.”

Frontman Simon Neil has previously spoken of his love for Download Festival.

Speaking to Rock Sound at the announcement of their 2021 headlining spot (before the full-sized festival was postponed and their slot rolled over to this year), Neil said, "Download and Donington is such an important part of our education as a band. It’s everything about how I got into music. That’s our world."

Watch: Zakk Wylde backstage at Download 2022

“And also the bands that play there still blow my mind. Iron Maiden and KISS and System Of A Down and Metallica and then little Biffy Clyro in there. More than any other gig, it makes me feel like a teenager again.

"It’s fab. I just love that festival so much.We first played it in 2004. We’ve played it probably seven times over the years. We’ve played every stage. But to headline the sacred ground means the world and anybody who is a metal fan knows exactly what I’m talking about."

Gallery: Sunday at Download Festival 2022

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• Biffy Clyro
• Download Festival