Quick-Fire Questions: 10 minutes with World News
Saying that the London music scene is strong at the moment feels silly.
Really, with a city that big and that rich in history, it’s always bound to be harbouring some diamonds. Lately, though, it feels like the whole crown is sparkling across all genres and for the indie kids, there are plenty of bands ensuring the scene has a good soundtrack.
Amongst the twinkliest of them all is World News. From their debut single in 2019, the band have shaped up their sound into something that sits between modern freshness, 1970s classic rock and ‘80s pop. Any time I’ve caught the band live, I’ve been hooked. They deliver a foolproof mix of intrigue and timelessness that gets the crowd moving.
No matter what or where, their songs are so hooky and so classic in places that your toes at least tap along. They’re the sort of songs you feel like you’ve known forever, or at least you do before the band race into the lead, surprising you with something and outrunning the expectations.
Listening through their discography is one of those heartening experiences of hearing a band get better and better. But in recent months, they’ve been levelling up. Their last single, ‘Everything Is Coming Up Roses’, is festival-field-sized and anthemic. And now with ‘Sidestep’, it’s sounding even bigger again.
Set to keep on growing, we caught up with the band before they become too big and start acting like egomaniacs.
Quick-Fire Questions with World News:
Describe your sound in one bar snack and one cocktail…
World News: “Cocktail Sausages for the meaty rhythm section and then maybe a Piña Colada for its Jangly flavours and bright colours.”
What’s your favourite thing about being in a band?
“Gotta be playing live. That’s why we do it.”
What’s your least favourite thing about being in a band?
“The post office queue.”
When you get world-famous, what extravagant thing will you be asking for on your rider?
“We will still be asking for Stella. Maybe just much more of it. And a good fridge to keep them chilled (Im looking at you The Shacklewell Arms).”They will probably still just give us two warm Red Stripes per band member, though.
What is the best venue in the world?
“This is like asking to pick your favourite child. We’ve played some incredible ones in the past year. Standouts are Leith FAB Cricket Club, The Cornish Bank, Moth Club. We like them small and sweaty.”
And (while we love all venues), if you could get rid of one, what’s the worst venue you think has to go?
“The Emirates Stadium. Clogs up the Victoria line when I’m trying to get around town.”
When was the moment you first realised that you actually sounded good?
“We’re good?”
What’s your solution to fix the socio-economic struggles currently crippling the UK?
“We could say build more houses, make world leaders stop invading countries, which pushes up the price of energy and tax billionaires, but we all know that’s not going to happen. So all we can do is tap into the current UK hypernormalisation and go to the pub.”
Which London band do you reckon you could take in a fight?
“All of them. At the same time.”
If you could build your dream band, with any musicians dead or alive, who is in the lineup?
“Mozart on Keys, Yoko Ono on pipes, Lemmy on bass, Petr Cech on drums and then the North Korean children’s guitar ensemble.”
What were your top albums of 2025?
“Big Long Sun – whatever (whatever), Geese – Getting Killed, Bar Italia – Some Like it Hot, Alex G – Headlights, The 50th anniversary Remaster of Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd, Safe Mind – Cutting The Stone.”
Are you planning to bring any crazy punk antics to your show at the 100 Club to honour its history?
“Look out for the swan…”
Please, for the love of god please, can you give us some good world news?
“The ozone layer is recovering, and Moth Club has been saved from property developers.”
Do you think The Beatles are overrated?
“If you’re reading this before we play Liverpool, not at all. After that, then yeah, maybe a little bit.”
