Haircut 100 to perform at Guilfest after reunion

Danielle MalgwiSouth East
News imageBBC The image shows four men sat smiling for a photo. They are all wearing long sleeves and two are wearing hats.BBC
Haircut reunited in early 2023 after 40 years

Brit-funk band Haircut 100 are set to perform at Guilfest, three years after their reunion in early 2023.

The music festival, formerly the Guildford Festival of Folk and Blues, is held annually in Stoke Park, Guildford, and is taking place on 4-5 July.

Nick Heyward, the band's frontman, said even after 40 years the band is still living their "childhood dream".

"We're like mates again - sometimes we're mucking about like we're teenagers backstage, like I really can't believe we're in a band," he told Radio Surrey.

The Brit-funk band rose to fame in late 1981 after their debut single, Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl), hit number 2 in the UK Singles Chart and went on to release their equally successful debut album, Pelican West.

But after going on a global tour with the album, Heyward parted ways with the band in early 1983 as he was struggling with stress and depression as a result of a demanding schedule.

"I wish I'd had this work ethic in my 30s and 40s, because I've hit 60s and [am] just kind of playing everywhere at the moment," he said.

"I think the secret is getting older, staying alive."

Alongside performing in Guildford, the band are set to release a new album, Boxing the Compass, on 19 June.

Until then, Haircut 100 is currently performing around the UK, with Heyward noting a show they had recently done in Glasgow was "wild".

"The review just said the place erupted, right at the end," he said.

"It was like a big celebration of a fantastic day and a fantastic life and to still be alive.

"We're going to be bringing that to Guilfest - whether it's raining or not it's going to be a fantastic day."

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