Lincoln’s illustrious and vibrant indie-rock scene came alive once again as BBC Introducing Lincoln & East Midlands came together to host a “Lincoln Live” stage in Lincoln’s up-and-coming Cornhill Quarter over the first weekend of September.
Included in the line-up were bands such as Lincoln’s own DB Jones, The Winslow’s and The Rills who headlined the event on Saturday.
Among the many talented bands that graced the event, The Rills, a rising indie-rock band and arguably the most popular band in the east-midlands, stood out with their energetic performance and candid reflections on the music industry.
Their return to Lincoln comes after their packed gigs at vintage clothing shop Rock Retro and The Engine Shed in late-October and Early November 2022.
Beloved for their songs highlighting Lincoln such as “Skint Eastwood.” I caught up with the band to hear about their recent French tour, upcoming gigs, and the significance of BBC Introducing to the band.
“The French tour was really good; it was really fun,” recounted the band’s lead vocalist and guitarist Mitch.
“We played Varma Festival, 10-hour coach journey. Running on pure adrenaline, alcohol, fromage and wine. We were like three greedy monks eating all that bread, drinking all that red wine.”
With their passports stamped and a foreign tour under their wings, The Rills are ready to conquer more stages.
“In Manchester, we’re actually supporting Hot Wax on the 14th of September,” they shared.
“It’s at the Deaf Institute, I believe, that should be a fun show. We’ve actually played at that venue a few times already; this would be the third time. And then we’re doing London at Colours Hoxton the day before on the 13th of September, also supporting Hot Wax.”
However, never far from home, The Rills were electrified to grace the BBC Introducing stage in the heart of Lincoln’s City Centre:
“We’re really excited because it’s a completely unique opportunity. It’s not very often that things like this happen in Lincoln. So, it’s a great opportunity for us to get our music out there to people that wouldn’t necessarily know who we are.”
It was clear that this performance meant much more than just another gig; it was a chance to connect with a new audience in their hometown and cement their presence as Lincoln’s hardest-working and most prominent band.
“We’re big dogs now.” replied The Rills when asked if they still identified with ‘the new kid on the block’ image of BBC Introducing: “I think you’re the new kid on the block, if you still think you’re the new kid on the block, you’re only as young as you feel.”
However, the conversation took a more somber turn when discussing the potential cancellation of BBC Introducing. “To be honest, I wouldn’t be shocked if they’re trying to get rid of it,” they admitted.
“Because they do stupid things like that with culture. One of Britain’s biggest exports is its music, and yet we do nothing to try and keep it going. They do nothing for grassroots artists.”
The band’s concern for the future of emerging musicians was palpable, highlighting the crucial role platforms like BBC Introducing play in nurturing upcoming talent.
As The Rills continue their journey through the indie-rock scene, their passion and dedication shine through.
Their performance at the BBC Introducing stage in Lincoln was not just a testament to their talent and fans adorned in “Skint Eastwood” cowboy hats but also a reminder of the importance of supporting local and emerging artists in the ever-evolving music industry.
The Rills upcoming shows can be found on their website at https://rills.bandcamp.com/music, Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheRills and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/therillsband/