Interview with Ryan McNee from Liverpool band The Sway

Matthew Jacobson interviews Ryan McNee from Liverpool band, The Sway – On the road with The Sway to Glastonbury.

“It is the best party in the world without a doubt.”

Congrats on the new single, there’s a summer breeze to it …is it a recent recording?

Yeah, made up to have ‘In Season’ out everywhere now mate. We recorded it not too long ago with Alex Quinn, it’s always great to get in with him boss lad and gets the most out whatever you bring in there like. We’ve had a nice response so far which we’re made up about because it’s a bit of a different flavour to some of our other stuff. There’s a couple more in the pipeline with him there too so keep your eyes and oranges peeled.

You supported the Libertines too – how was that experience?

The whole day was brilliant, even the build-up was unbelievable meeting the Eavis family who are all lovely people. We’d been up in Scotland the day before the final of the comp to play too. They were big parts of us ending up on the gig in the end. It was a proper trek, but Fen our mate cracked on through to get us down there, what a hero. The Libertines were as cool as you can expect as well, zen masters of the game and seemed happy enough to have a chat with us like. The gig itself was spot on hallowed ground down there isn’t it, so it’s a massive buzz to be back there for glasto definitely.

And you are off to play glasto – have you been before as a fan, or a band?

We’ve all been a few times yeah, its the best party in the world without a doubt. To be a part of it in that way this year’s mental, there’s a good few Liverpool bands on too, us Cheap Thrills, Red Rum, Webster and loads more so to be down there all representing Liverpool music is an honour really. We’re playing on Saturday at 11am in the Bread and Roses tent and we’re all rasping to get up there now. Should be a few sore heads by Monday.

It must be a special moment to be asked to play.

There are a few things as a band you dream of 100 percent, we’ve been dead lucky with what we’ve been able to tick off so far from Abbey Road to selling out big hometown shows, for me this is right up there and I’d imagine the boys would say the same. It’s the place to be every year and this year we’re on the line up, I might not come back ahah. The fact we’re going to be able to watch a few of our mates bands over the weekend makes the whole thing that bit more magic.

Ok lets keep in touch, enjoy it – from all at Explore, we are behind you and all Liverpool bands all the way!!

Is right mate always a pleasure speaking with you.

“There’s no other Sway, theres no other Sway – all you can do is watch them play!“

Matt Jacobson

Explore Liverpool