Jonathan Geddes

Next Monday Circa Waves will headline the Barrowland – but that’s only the start of their ambitions.

The Liverpool band have just released second album Different Creatures.

It’s a much heavier, bigger and relentless record than the indie-pop of debut effort Young Chasers, and frontman Kieran Shudall isn’t hiding how big he hopes the band get.

“We’re playing the main stage at the TRNSMT festival (on Glasgow Green) later in the year and I want people to think that we’re future festival headliners,” says the singer.

“I want them thinking that we could be at the same level as Kasabian in the future and that kids in the audience will want to start bands after seeing us, that kind of thing. There’s not enough bands these days with that ambition, to be the biggest band in Britain

“There’s been a whole rollercoaster over the last four years with the band but it has taught me, and I know this sounds cheesy, that anything is possible. I don’t see why we can’t be the biggest band in Britain. Four years ago, I was pulling hair out of shower plugs in student houses and now we’re playing the Reading and Leeds festivals. Why not go for it?”

That confidence runs through Different Creatures, from the title track veering into political territory by commentating on refugees to the pounding likes of Goodbye and Fire That Burns or the melancholy finale Old Friends. Instead of taking the easy step and repeating the Young Chasers formula, of catchy Britpop, the band have tried to do something different.

“I went into it with trepidation about whether it would be accepted or not by fans,” admits Kieran.

“But the blueprint is still there, because it’s still my songwriting and it’s still Circa Waves, it’s just rockier. People just like good songs nowadays and the idea that people are so connected to one genre like they were in the past is so loose now.

“You can fall in love with a rock song as easily as a pop song, especially in this playlist generation where people go from Metallica to Ed Sheeran in two seconds. I suppose in the past you’d spend £15 on an album and that would be you for a couple of months but now people are more eclectic with what they like.”

The band formed in Liverpool back in 2013, although three quarters of the group have since moved to London. Kieran has remained on Merseyside, however, writing prolifically for this record from his flat and sending ideas to the others.

However he admits that returning from successful tours and going back to writing on his own was an odd experience, something that appears in some of the lyrics for Different Creatures.

“You go from playing to thousands of people every night and then you’re sitting at home on your own again,” he says.

“You feel incredibly lonely at times and when I was writing the record I was sitting at home for hours a day on my own, just doing nothing but writing while everyone I knew was at work. You’ve got this huge social media following and loads of kids wanting to talk to you on Twitter, but you’re alone. It was a strange realisation to have.”

It didn’t stop him writing plenty of tunes though, with over 100 ideas eventually being whittled into the tunes that comprise Different Creatures.

“I studied and obsessed over them,” he says.

“I sent them out to the band and management for their thoughts, then played them for my brother and girlfriend, because they’re not musicians and don’t think about it too much, so if a tune’s good for them then that’s that.

“I had a really clear vision from the start. You know the Martin Scorsese film Mean Streets? When they go to the bar in it, I wanted an album that would be playing there, something with a gritty, cinematic feel.”

And although Kieran’s dreaming of festival headline slots and triumphant main stage appearances, Monday’s Barrowland date appeals to him too.

“The Barrowland is the venue we’re most excited about on the tour because we’ve always dreamed of headlining there,” says Kieran.

“We played there with Phoenix a few years ago and were aware of how iconic it is. It’s a rite of passage for a band because of all the groups that have been there. It’s always funny to watch the crowd jumping around too, with the spring-loaded floor.”

Circa Waves, Monday, Barrowland, £15, 7pm