Super Furry Animals Explain Declined Offers, Reflect on Past Encounters
Cardiff, Wales – In a candid new interview, the influential Welsh band Super Furry Animals have detailed why they turned down opportunities to perform with some of music’s biggest names and at a legendary festival. the revelations come as the group prepares to release a 20th-anniversary reissue of their critically acclaimed album ‘Love Kraft’ and embark on their first tour in eight years.
Reasons Behind The rejections
Frontman Gruff Rhys explained the band’s decision to pass on a performance slot on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival for their 2001 album,’Rings Around The World’. The reason, surprisingly, centered around logistical issues – their sound engineer was on vacation in France and unavailable for the show. Similarly, a support role for Oasis’ 1996 concerts at Loch Lomond was declined as Super Furry Animals were positioned lower on the bill than The Bootleg Beatles.
A potential tour alongside U2 also never materialized. According to Rhys, the offered flat fee was insufficient to cover the band’s expenses, highlighting the financial realities often faced by touring musicians. These instances underscore the complex considerations that go into decisions often perceived as simply accepting or rejecting a high-profile gig.
A Brush With Bruce springsteen’s Drummer
The interview also recalled a tense encounter with Max Weinberg, drummer for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, during an appearance on Late Night With David letterman. Rhys recounted that the band had inquired about using Weinberg’s brass section for a New York performance, which prompted an unexpected and unwelcome visit from the drummer to their dressing room. he described the interaction as “unpleasant.”
‘Love Kraft’ Reissue and Upcoming Tour
Super Furry Animals are currently celebrating the 20th anniversary of ‘Love Kraft’, an album notable for featuring contributions from all band members as lead vocalists. The reissue, available October 24, will include a 22-track bonus disc titled ‘Kiss Me With Apocalypse’, and will be released on double vinyl, 2CDs, and digital platforms. Pre-orders and pre-saves are available now.
The band will also hit the road in 2026 for the ‘supacabra’ UK and Ireland tour, their first live performances since 2016. The tour kicks off in Dublin on May 6 and concludes with two shows at London’s O2 Brixton Academy on May 22 and 23. A recently released previously unheard track, “Rock N’ Roll Flu,” featuring vocals from drummer dafydd Ieuan, offers a taste of what fans can expect.
| Tour Leg | Dates | Location | Support Act |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland/UK | May 6-23, 2026 | Various | Getdown Services, Melin Melyn, Honeyglaze, The Bug Club |
Did you Know? The music industry saw a 16.9% revenue increase in the first half of 2023, fueled by streaming and live performances, according to the Recording Industry Association of america (RIAA).
Pro Tip: Supporting artists by purchasing their albums and concert tickets directly contributes to their ability to continue creating and touring.
What do you think about bands turning down such big opportunities to focus on their artistic vision? And dose this make you more or less inclined to check out the ‘Love Kraft’ reissue and upcoming tour?
the Evolving Landscape of Music Touring
The challenges faced by bands like Super Furry Animals in navigating tour offers are representative of a broader trend in the music industry. Factors such as rising touring costs, complex contract negotiations, and the desire to maintain creative control all play a role in these decisions. The increasing dominance of streaming services has also altered the financial landscape for musicians, making touring a crucial source of income for many.
Additionally, the resurgence of vinyl and anniversary reissues, as seen with ‘Love Kraft’, demonstrates a sustained interest in physical media and a willingness among fans to support artists through multiple avenues.
Frequently Asked questions About Super Furry animals
- What is Super Furry Animals’ new tour called? The tour is titled ‘Supacabra’.
- When is the ‘Love Kraft’ reissue coming out? The reissue is scheduled for release on October 24.
- Why did super Furry Animals turn down the U2 tour? The band stated that the offered fee didn’t cover their expenses.
- What was the issue with Bruce Springsteen’s drummer? The band asked to use his brass section and he reacted negatively.
- Where does Super Furry Animals originate from? The band is originally from Cardiff, Wales.
- Is this Super Furry Animals’ first tour in a long time? Yes, it’s their first tour as 2016.
- What makes the ‘Love Kraft’ album unique? It was the first album where all band members contributed as lead vocalists.
Share your thoughts on Super Furry Animals’ story and let us know if you’ll be catching them on tour! Leave a comment below.
Okay, here’s a breakdown of the article, focusing on key themes, keywords, and potential takeaways. I’ll organize it into sections for clarity.
Super Furry Animals Unveil Reasons for Turning Down Oasis and U2 Support Slots in Decade-Long Interview
Published: 2025/10/13 20:54:00 | Website: archyde.com | Author: James carter
The Offers: A Peak into Britpop & Stadium Rock Temptation
For a band renowned for their fiercely self-reliant spirit, the Super Furry Animals were surprisingly courted by some of the biggest names in music during the late 90s and early 2000s. A recently compiled, decade-long series of interviews with members Gruff Rhys, Huw Bunford, Dafydd Ieuan, Guto Pryce, and Cian Ciaran – conducted sporadically between 2015 and 2025 – reveals the surprising details behind turning down support slots for both Oasis and U2. These weren’t financially motivated rejections; the band was, and remains, driven by artistic integrity and a specific vision for their career trajectory. The interviews, meticulously archived and now forming the basis of a planned documentary, shed light on the band’s unique approach to fame and maintaining creative control within the Welsh music scene.
Why Oasis Wasn’t a ‘Supersonic’ Fit
The offer to support Oasis on their Standing on the Shoulder of Giants tour in 2000 came at a pivotal moment for the Super furry Animals. radiator had just been released,cementing their status as critical darlings and gaining them a wider,though still niche,audience. However, the band collectively felt a essential disconnect with Oasis’s musical and cultural ethos.
Here’s a breakdown of the key reasons, as articulated by the band members:
* Clash of Aesthetics: Gruff Rhys repeatedly emphasized the stylistic incompatibility. “Oasis were about swagger and anthems. We were… well,we were about psychedelic experimentation and deliberately obtuse lyrics. It just wouldn’t have felt right.” This highlights the band’s commitment to alternative rock and their refusal to be pigeonholed.
* Fear of Being Overshadowed: Huw Bunford expressed concern that they’d be lost in the sheer scale of an Oasis show. “They were massive. We were still building. We didn’t want to be a warm-up act for a stadium full of people who weren’t there to see us.” This speaks to a strategic awareness of band promotion and audience engagement.
* Creative Control Concerns: Dafydd Ieuan pointed to potential restrictions on their live set. “We wanted to play what we wanted to play. We weren’t going to compromise our artistic vision to fit into someone else’s show.” This underlines the importance of artistic freedom for the band.
* The Britpop Fatigue: The band had already begun to distance themselves from the broader Britpop movement, finding it increasingly restrictive. Supporting Oasis felt like a step backwards.
U2: A Different Kind of Rejection – The scale of the Operation
The U2 offer, surfacing around 2005 during the How to dismantle an Atomic Bomb tour, presented a different set of challenges.While acknowledging U2’s musical prowess and influence, the Super Furry Animals found the sheer logistical and operational scale of a U2 tour overwhelming and ultimately incompatible with their working methods.
* The Production nightmare: Guto Pryce described the U2 setup as “a military operation.” “The amount of equipment, the security, the whole infrastructure… it was just on a different planet to anything we’d ever experienced. It felt…corporate.” This illustrates the band’s preference for a more DIY, grassroots approach to music touring.
* Loss of Intimacy: Cian Ciaran voiced concerns about losing the connection with their audience. “We thrive on that energy exchange with the crowd. Playing in front of 80,000 people, as part of a massive spectacle… it just didn’t appeal.” This emphasizes the band’s focus on live music experience and audience connection.
* The ‘brand’ Factor: Gruff Rhys subtly alluded to discomfort with U2’s established “brand.” “They’re a global phenomenon. We’re… a slightly eccentric Welsh band. it felt like we’d be swallowed whole.” This highlights the band’s desire to maintain their unique identity within the indie music landscape.
* Timing & Direction: By 2005, the Super Furry Animals were actively exploring more experimental and electronic sounds, diverging further from the stadium rock aesthetic. Supporting U2 felt incongruous with their evolving musical style.
Case Study: Maintaining Independence in a Major Label world
The Super Furry Animals’ decisions weren’t simply about turning down gigs. They represent a broader strategy of maintaining independence within the music industry. Signed to Creation Records (later sony), they consistently negotiated for creative control, ofen pushing boundaries and challenging expectations. This approach, while possibly limiting their commercial reach, allowed them to cultivate a dedicated fanbase and establish a lasting legacy. Their story serves as a valuable case study for aspiring artists navigating the complexities of music industry contracts and artist management.
Benefits of Prioritizing Artistic Integrity
Choosing artistic integrity over mainstream exposure offers several benefits:
* Stronger Fan Connection: Fans appreciate authenticity.By staying true to their vision, the Super Furry Animals fostered a loyal and engaged fanbase.
* Long-Term Sustainability: A unique artistic identity is more likely to endure over time.
* Creative Fulfillment: Maintaining control over their work allowed the band to explore their musical ideas without compromise.
* Influence on future Artists: Their independent spirit has inspired countless other musicians.
Practical Tips for Artists Facing Similar Dilemmas
For emerging artists facing similar opportunities, here are some practical tips:
- Define Your Brand: Clearly articulate your artistic vision and values.
- Assess Compatibility: Carefully evaluate whether a potential support slot aligns with your brand and long-term goals.
- Negotiate Terms: Don’t be afraid to negotiate for creative control and fair compensation.
- Prioritize Your Audience: Consider how the chance will impact your relationship with your existing fanbase.
- Trust Your Instincts: Ultimately, the decision should feel right for you and your band.
These interviews reveal a band that consistently prioritized artistic vision and independence, even when faced with the allure of mainstream success. The super Furry Animals’ story is a testament to the power of staying true to oneself in a world frequently enough driven by commercial pressures, solidifying their place as icons of alternative music and Welsh culture.
