What does the Think Tank show on 5 April mean to you as a band?
Coming back to play Think Tank as a headline show was really important. It’s our home crowd, the people who’ve supported us from the very beginning, and this show has been described as a kind of “thank-you” to them for being part of the journey so far.
Over the past year, everything’s started to build, bigger crowds, more opportunities, and songs connecting in a way we always hoped they would. This gig feels like the point where we stop and recognise that momentum, but also use it as a springboard into what’s next.
We’ve started playing some big stages now, but this is a chance to be up close with the fans again, in the city that shaped us. It’s both a celebration of how far we’ve come and a statement that we’re only just getting started.
So for us, it’s about gratitude, growth, and proving to ourselves, this is just the start.
The show sold out quickly. Did that response hit home for you?
Yeah, it really did. The fact that we’ve sold out 6 in a row already seemed wild but seeing it sell out that fast was a bit surreal.
You always hope people are connecting with what you’re doing, but seeing that reflected in person just solidifies that were doing this the right way, for ourselves, as well as for everyone else.
“I’ve Been Waiting” feels like a big statement from you. Did that track feel different when it came together?
I think it always felt abit different from what we class as our ‘bread and butter. We decided to look introspectively on the journeys within us and as a band and mesh the two together. We’re massive observationists so spend alot of time naturally commenting on the world we see around us rather than looking in the mirror.
Its not that its a re-invention, just a sign of internal growth but Its a really special one to us, its almost an open love letter to ourselves, fans and family.
Do you feel like Leazes have properly found their sound now?
We wouldn’t wanna be too bold and say that we’ve ‘found’ our sound. But we’ve definitely settled in alot more, theres a much clearer identity and confidence within the sound. We know who we are and wont shy away from that.
I would say the best way to sum it up is that we aren’t just ‘chucking stuff at the wall’ now. We’re refining what works best for us. Its created an unbreakable cohesion within our writing.
How much has the last year changed things for you as a band?
Upside down if truth be told haha! This time last year we struggled for consistent monthly gigs. Since then, weve ticked off some our bucket list venues, played infront of thousands of beautiful singing and smiling faces, sold out gigs back to back. It really does feel like were in a dream sometimes.
How important is it for Leazes to still feel like a band from here, even as things grow?
It’s the most important thing, honestly. We started from nothing, and if it all ended tomorrow, we’d still say the same, we’ve just enjoyed the ride. At the heart of it, this band is about us and the bond we’ve built.
No matter how much things grow or change, there’s nothing stronger than the love we’ve got for each other, and that’s what keeps everything grounded and real.
Touring with The Rosadocs has put you in front of bigger crowds in different cities. What have you taken from those shows?
Touring with The Rosadocs has been massive for us. Playing to bigger crowds in different cities really pushed us out of our comfort zone and made us step things up every night. Touch wood, it seems to be working!
A big thing weve learned is how to win over new audiences quickly. We’ve had to adapt very quickly and learn on the road, we’ve swapped sets last minute to make them more impactful, turned up certain moments, toned down others. Its been our first time all travelling and doing gigs back to back to back together too, if truth be told, I think its made us realise that this is gunna be as amazing as we hoped. Spending time together doing what you love has always been the aim, and its coming off.
Weve got so much love and respect for the Rosadocs too, the way weve been welcomed is unreal. Watching how they carry themselves and connect with a crowd has been a big influence too. It’s definitely raised our standards and shown us what level we need to be at. theres defo gunna be tears when the tour comes to an end.
Have bigger shows changed your confidence as a band?
I think we would be lying if we said no. Its not only the bigger venues and the mass of people. Its the faces youve never seen before. In a city where you don’t know a single name, to have people singing words back to you, losing themselves in the moment, giving some of the most wonderful compliments weve ever heard really makes it hit home.
Its assured us that we are in the right place, with the right people. YOU LOT!
Headlining BBC Introducing from The Glasshouse felt like a big moment too. Did that night feel like a sign of how far things have come?
Headlining BBC Introducing at The Glasshouse definitely felt like a pivotal moment for us. It was one of those nights where you stop and take it in a bit, realising how far we’ve come from where we started. It took atleast 6 hours, 3 rounds of tears a cuddle off the cat to come down.
To be on a stage like that, with a crowd there for our music, it felt like a proper milestone. At the same time, it’s just motivated us even more, it showed us what’s possible and made us want to keep pushing for the next ceiling, then raising that one off too!
Coming back to HMV Newcastle, where your first live gig happened, must have felt like a full-circle moment. Did that night make you stop and take stock of how far you’ve come?
Absolutely, it was such a full circle moment for us. Coming back to HMV Newcastle, where we played our first ever live gig, really made us pause and reflect. Seeing how much we’ve grown, both as musicians and as a band, hit home in a way that was really emotional.
That night reminded us of where we started, how far we’ve come, and why we keep doing this. It was a proper moment to take stock and appreciate the journey.
With Katie Grace and Joe Bartley joining the bill, what do they add to the night for you?
For us, theyre two of our fave artists, we played with Katie down in London at our Headliner at Sebright Arms and were captivated by her lyrics and patter. Having that local connection just sealed the deal for us.
Joe has been a longstanding little brother of ours. We absolutely adore the lad, his sound, his manner, basically anything Joe Bartley, we love. Hes got such a killer sound and is gunna rocket before you know it. Our Joe has a real soft spot for him and cries at 90 percent of his songs too, So if anyone had told him no, thered also be hell to pay!
When people walk out of Think Tank after this one, what do you want them to remember most about Leazes?
It may sound silly, but we’re not the most important part of the night. We want people to remember that feeling of being carefree more than remembering us specifically.
For however long youre in the room with us, forget about yesterday, forget about tomorrow, live in the now, in one moment together….. and remember joes outfit or he will be huffy.
What has surprised you most about how quickly things have moved?
We try not to fixate on specific moments in the journey but What’s really surprised us is how quickly everything has stacked up, even though it’s really been made of lots of small moments along the way.
It’s a bit like riding a really fast escalator, you don’t notice it moving at first, but before you know it, you’re further along than you ever expected. It’s been exciting, a little dizzying, but a reminder to enjoy every step of the journey.
Was there one moment where it really hit you that Leazes were stepping up?
Honestly, theres been a million ‘one moments’. It’s more an amalgamation of everything, every gig, every stream, every smile, that shows us we’re really stepping up.
Looking beyond Think Tank, what should people be keeping an eye out for from Leazes over the rest of the year?
LOADS. We will definitely miss some off if i reel them off. But weve got new music, weve got new festivals, new cities and the BIGGEST support slot weve seen yet. Stay tuned on all of our socials for our upcoming stuff.