Rory Graham, aka Rag’n’Bone Man, heads to Kendal Calling (28-31 July) with his hip-hop blues fusion. He tells Big Issue North about his hip-hop funk fantasy festival.
How would you describe your sound?
I don’t just have one sound – I want to do everything and I think I’ve only covered a tiny piece of what I want to do musically.
Tell us what you’ve been up to since last summer?
Periods of frustration and despair but other than that pretty much just making music and having a good time doing it.
What festivals are you playing this year?
Oh lord, it’s hard to remember all of them but here’s a best of – Reading & Leeds, Glastonbury, Wildlife, St Gallen, Montreux Jazz, Lowlands, Kendal Calling, Standon Calling, Leopalooza and Northsea Jazz.
Who else are you excited to see at the festivals?
I’ve seen Allen Stone & The Roots already but I’m looking forward to seeing Anderson Paak the most!
If you could curate your own festival with artists dead or alive what would the line-up look like?
It would mostly be hip-hop but with some classic funk in there too. Outkast, Goodie Mob, Gap Band, Sly & the Family Stone, Heatwave, Gangstar, De La Soul and Curtis Mayfield.
What’s your best festival memory?
My mate Tommy D did a freestyle about how much he hates police at Boombap Festival – that was well good.
What’s in your festival survival kit?
If your doctor is nice he might give you some Valium. That’s always nice when some idiot is playing psy trance at 5am. Also, the ability to leave quickly if it all goes wrong.
Apart from music, what should the ideal festival have?
Vegetables! Good food that doesn’t cost a fortune. If you eat burgers for three days then your gonna be in trouble!
Antonia Charlesworth
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