Lightning Seeds’ Ian Broudie tells Ricky Wilson his feelings towards recording and playing live have ‘completely reversed’

Virgin Radio

14 Jun 2024, 07:50

With Euro 2024 about to begin, you’re likely to hear a certain Lightning Seeds’ song for as long as England remain in the competition. 

Indeed, to celebrate the start of the tournament, the Liverpool band played a cracking set at the top of the tower last night (13th June) at Virgin Radio and talkSPORT’s Euro 2024 Kick-Off Party. And yes, they did play Three Lions.

The song was originally released ahead of Euro 96 and featured lyrics and vocals from comedians David Baddiel and Frank Skinner. It soon became one of football’s most iconic anthems, and is still sung in stadiums and pubs all these years on.

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Speaking to Virgin Radio UK Drivetime host Ricky Wilson ahead of the Lightning Seeds set last night, songwriter and frontman Ian Broudie said: ”It's the beginning of the Euros. Everyone's getting very excited.” 

He joked: “We have this song that is sometimes associated with the Euros.”

When Ricky told Ian that lots of Lightning Seeds’ songs would be great to soundtrack goal round-ups on telly, he replied: “I think that's a self-fulfilling prophecy, because it was on the goal round-up. Everyone says, ‘It's really good for that’ and you think, ‘Well, it's because you think of it being on it!’”

Ian was referring to his song The Life of Riley, which for many years provided the background music for the Goal of the Month round-up on the BBC’s Match of the Day. The song from 1992 was written about Ian’s son, Riley, who is now in the band with his dad. 

Speaking about 35 years of Lightning Seeds, Ian said: “It's scary that it’s 35 years, but it's great. 

“I'm feeling good, actually. We do lots of gigs now. We went through a period of not doing many gigs.”

He continued: “It was my least favourite bit, playing live. I used to love the studio and the comfort of the studio and being able to control everything. But now it's completely reversed, and I do really enjoy the whole troubadour being in a field somewhere and playing to people.” 

It’s daunting. But then you love it when you're doing it.

On what the future holds, he explained: “We're going to release some early albums and some albums that didn't come out on vinyl, and tour at the end of the year. And we're going to just try and celebrate, because you never get to sort of celebrate while you're doing something, do you? You always look back on things as a person in a band.”

On the live shows, he added: “Come along, the gigs will be great. I’ve been told to say that!” 

Listen to Ricky Wilson on his weekday Drivetime show between 4pm-7pm on Virgin Radio UK on DAB, online, Sky TV, smart speakers or via the 'Virgin Radio UK' app.