From van naps and hydration to playing in front of their biggest crowds ever, Millie Manders gives us an honest look behind the curtain in the latest Summer Play Featured Artist interview.
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What’s inspiring you outside of music right now?
The changing of the seasons, particularly in late spring and early summer is always inspirational, reviving, and energising for me. I am out in nature more, everything is fresh and alive and there is a certain level of calm that creeps in, unlocking creativity that feels so much more dormant in the colder months.
What’s a song in your set right now that feels especially alive on stage?
Fun Sponge has become a fan favourite at the moment. People are bringing their own sponges to shows with the lyrics written on them, and singing along in the choruses. It’s a super fun one that everyone can relate to on some level.
What’s the most memorable crowd moment you’ve had at a festival or outdoor show?
– 2022 Rebellion on the pier we opened the stage and 5 minutes before we played it was empty. We went out to around five thousand people who had made the effort to get there early to see us.
– Slam Dunk 2023 we opened the main stage both days and even with traffic/parking issues we had a big crowd, and we shared a stage with some of our heroes. Some of our fans brought a home made banner with our band logo on it and the date of the show at Hatfield, and gifted it to us. The most wonderful, thoughtful act of kindness.
– Beautiful Days 2025 we played to our biggest crowd ever and the voices singing with us nearly brought me to tears… Each experience is unique and amazing and we am so grateful for every single one of them.
If fans could see one behind the scenes part of your touring life, what would surprise them most?
Probably just how un rock and roll we are. We all sleep a lot, George and I are completely t-total on tour, and we all eat well and stay hydrated. I am generally in bed before everyone else and still nap like a trooper in the van!
What does summer touring unlock creatively for you that other seasons don’t?
Personally I don’t feel my creativity works that way. I am so focussed on the shows, the marketing of the shows, the stage performances, my vocal and physical health when we are on the road that it leaves very little time for creativity to be unlocked! I occasionally get song ideas when we are in the van, but it’s rare. I need time to be away from social media and admin to be able to focus my abilities on songwriting, so touring is not conducive to that.
What’s one risk you’ve taken in your career that ended up paying off?
Quitting my day job fully and launching myself into my music career via a degree in Music Management. It was scary, it was financially precarious (and still is), but it meant my being able to lay the foundations of becoming a self employed musician and industry practitioner.
How has your relationship with live performance changed since you first started playing shows?
I now see it as my job, for a start. When I started out I would be half cut on beer to numb the stage fright and I saw it as a party a lot of the time (even though I desperately wanted it as my career). So that’s probably the biggest thing. Now I am trying to craft a spectacle for our fans and gig goers, and I want every element to be the best I can make it, every time. The stage is where I feel most alive, most at home and, even though I still get horrendous stage fright, also the most like myself.
What’s one thing you’re bringing into this summer that feels new for you?
Another tough question. Probably a renewed sense of determination to be a force for other women, especially those who are 30+ years old, in an industry that still sees women as token (especially in the harder genres), and sees ageing women as shelveable. We will not go quietly.
If you could curate your dream three-artist summer lineup (dead or alive), who’s on the bill?
I have to do more than one, because genres!! Can I have a 4 day festival??
Soul: Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Janis Joplin
Rock: Rage Against The Machine, Skunk Anansie, System Of A Down
Ska Punk: Save Ferris, Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake
Pop: P!nk, Taylor Acorn, Republica
What’s something coming up, big or small, that you’re excited to share with people?
OOOOOHHHHH! We have a new single penned for early Autumn, and a tour to go with it! There are some other surprises up our sleeve, but I can’t talk about them yet. We have a lot going on in our cauldron… Bubbling up some beasts!
And finally, how do you find working with Midnight Mango?
Midnight Mango are fantastic to work with. Their commitment to being inclusive and intersectional in their practices and their support for their artists is invaluable.
