Talked to big Joanie NME About their hopes for the future of black alternative music, and what’s next for them. Watch our full video interview above.
The feminist punks, who released their second album Back Home last month, spoke to NME at the 25th MOBO where they are up for Best Rock & Alternative alongside Loathe, Skunk Anansie and Nova Twins. , but lost to Bob Wylan.
When asked how it felt to be nominated, vocalist and guitarist Stephanie Phillips said: “We’ve been watching the MOBO Awards for years and years and it’s great that they finally have an alternative category so we can we can celebrate everything about black brits. culture and everything we do in the country today.
Drummer and vocalist Chardin Taylor-Stone agreed: “It’s about time – it should have happened long ago, but it’s nice to see new artists like Loathe and Bob Whelan out there, as well as artists like Skunk Anansie. has been around for years and years and has pushed boundaries for bands like us to be here. It’s great to see our black alternative cohorts.”
Speaking about MOBO’s hopes for a change in black alternative stars, Phillips said: “We’ve done everything a black punk band can do and we hope people want to see more of us and our community wants to see more of us. wants to grow.”
Singer and bass player Estella Adeyeri said this NME about the group’s plans for the future.
“For us, we’re always looking forward, so we’re doing our first UK headline shows in January,” he said. “We are also planning to go to the USA. We have a show in New York that is almost sold out. Then we do what we always do; Promote new artists that are black and alternative and make sure people see that there really is a scene here.
Big Joanie will begin a UK tour in January 2023. For tickets and more information, visit here.
This year’s MOBO Awards took place at the OVO Wembley Arena and marked the 25th anniversary of the iconic awards ceremony. The night saw the likes of Beenie Man, Eliza Rose and Tion Wayne perform, while Craig David and Neil Rogers received prestigious career achievement awards. David won the Outstanding Contribution Award and Rodgers received the Lifetime Achievement Award.