Standing Tall: The Fratellis

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With the beginnings of American tour number two well underway, Jon Fratelli takes fifteen minutes aside to chill in his New York hotel room for a discussion with Gigwise about festivals, foreigners and females.

After releasing their sophomore effort 'Here We Stand' back in June, following the unprecedented success of their debut, 'Costello Music', The Fratellis found themselves in perfect motion to hop, skip and jump into top slots of the 2008 festival scene. It wasn't too long ago that front man Jon Fratelli was stood on the other side of the stage, gawping in aspiration at the bands he would soon find himself playing alongside. Although they have played festivals before, it seems surreal emotions have been conjured up this year especially. 

“Glastonbury this year was really good! When I was working there, it’s all about the Friday night. Before I got to play it was like, ‘oh my god! Fucking hell it’s Glastonbury!”

The overwhelming views one would find from behind the microphone must daunt even the most practised professional. Despite the experience making it slightly easier for the three boys from Glasgow, the shivers were still sent down their spines. “It’s weird walking out and seeing that scene that you’ve only ever seen on TV. We were more used to it this year, but it just made the whole thing that much better, playing in the dark above a field full of lights,” Jon enthuses.

After playing throughout the summer to such vast and familiar UK crowds, who bounce eagerly away to 'Chelsea Dagger' and such, the thought of an American tour could stir up uneasy expectations when predicting audience reaction. Similar to the assumption that the U.S doesn’t understand the ‘sophistication’ in British humour, do they grasp the catchy rock ‘n’ roll of a Scottish three piece?

“They’re a little bit more patient over here, than back home”, explains Jon. “Back home, people just sort of want whatever the hits are. Here they’re more patient with letting you play whatever you wanna play.”

Which must be quite refreshing after over two years of playing the same singles with the odd new songs thrown in for good measure. On a second world tour in the short career The Fratellis have had so far, the anticipation of certain crowd behaviour in certain countries seems to have become easier for Jon to grasp. “If you don’t give the others what they wanna hear, then you will sort of disappear. You learn the sort of places where you know you’re gonna have a good time”, says Jon.

This could easily end up with a band having preferences as to who they play to, just like a teacher has their pet, surely bands can’t choose favourites out of their global fan base? Apparently they can.

“Tokyo are just fucking insane, they must be the best fans in the world.”
Even better than in Scotland?!
“Scotland do it with booze, where as they do it sober over there!”
A very valid point.