Die britische Metal-Band Defects ist frisch in ihre große Europatournee gestartet – mit einem vollen Festivalsommer vor sich. Nach einer intensiven Schreibphase und Studioarbeit melden sich die fünf Musiker mit voller Kraft zurück auf der Bühne. Im Interview mit Frontstage Magazine spricht Drummer Harry Jennings über den Tourauftakt im Vereinigten Königreich, die Vorfreude auf die kommenden Shows in ganz Europa und die emotionale Bedeutung dieser Live-Saison für die Band.
Frontstage Magazine: Your European festival tour just kicked off in the UK – how does it feel to finally be back on the road, and what does this intense live phase mean for the band’s growth?
Harry: It feels amazing. We have been away hard at working writing the follow up to our debut, so to come back out and have such a great reaction the feeling is insane. Intense is the word, we wanted to do as much as we possibly could to get the message out to everyone that we are back and not going away any time soon, it’s going to be a lot of hard work but it’s always worth it when you see people in the crowd.
Frontstage Magazine: With the first shows behind you and most of the tour still ahead, what are your thoughts and expectations as you head into the next stages of the summer?
Harry: We are just simply excited; the expectation is to come out the other side feeling that we did everything we could to give these shows and the fans 110% every single time. There’s so much about to start happening in our world with 6 months writing and being away from the stage that at this point after having a couple of shows under our belt, we are desperate to get out into Europe and do it all over again.
Frontstage Magazine: How did you prepare as a band for this packed festival season, and what have the first shows already taught you?
Harry: A lot of rehearsals, we also spent a week in the studio together recently, so it was a chance to collect our thoughts after planning this summer for so long and all be on the same page with what we wanted to achieve. First shows have taught us that this is a huge moment, and we can’t take it for granted or not give it everything we have, there’s so much riding on this personally for us that we want to prove to ourselves we can do it.
Frontstage Magazine: You’re playing a wide range of festivals across Europe – what excites you most about connecting with such diverse crowds in so many different countries?
Harry: Travelling has always been what we love most about being in this band and one’s previous, Europe has been so responsive to us, and I truly believe no one does festivals like they do out there. The most exciting part is connecting with the fans and hanging out with people who took the effort to listen to our music and give us a chance, that’s what it’s all about.
Frontstage Magazine: The setlist is locked in, the album is out, and the stage is yours – what do you want people to take away from your shows this summer?
Harry: That we have evolved, developed our skill set and coming back harder than ever. We are playing a brand-new song in these sets, so the reaction determines how the next album will play out and so far with 2 shows under our belt, it’s been amazing.
Frontstage Magazine: You’ll be hitting festivals in Germany, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands and more – are there any events or places you’re especially looking forward to?
Harry: We have always loved every single one of those countries, but a big one for us is Germany. Metal has a strong home there so to be able to hit one of the biggest festivals in that country is truly and honour and a privilege.
Defects Live 2025:
5 Jun – Mystic Festival, Gdańsk – Poland
6 Jun – Rock Im Park, Nürnberg – GERMANY
7 Jun- Rock Am Ring, Nuerburg – GERMANY
11 Jun – Hype Park, Kraków – Poland – supporting NORTHLANE
13 Jun – Rock For People, Hradec Králové – Czechia
26 Jun – Resurrection Fest, Viveiro – Spain
27 Jun – Jera-On-Air, Ysselsteyn – The Netherlands
28 Jun – Impericon Fest – Leipzig – Germany
13 Aug – Summer Breeze Open Air – Dinkelsbühl – Germany
Fotocredit: Markus Maschwitz Photography
