Soft Play have called out the UK government for being “complicit in genocide” and the BBC for “not sharing a proper view” in regards to the Israel/Palestine conflict.
Speaking to NME at Reading Festival, the punk duo also hailed Kneecap for inspiring to speak out about the issues, whilst also claiming Spotify founder, Daniel Ek, is “investing in AI drone weaponry”.
Laurie Vincent and Isaac Holman were speaking after their belting set on the Chevron Stage where they bought out Kate Nash and led the crowd into a “free Palestine” chant.
Speaking to NME, guitarist Laurie Vincent said: “It’s happening before our eyes. You can support Israel openly and not get arrested but if you wanna protest for women and children to stop being bombed, you’re gonna get arrested.
“I think there needs to be a total dismantling of all of the systems, all of the old money that still has its fingers across everything. There needs to be a dismantling of the music industry. The guy that owns Spotify is investing in AI drone weaponry. It’s just all fucking bullshit, and I’m bored of it. I think everyone is.”
Vincent then praised the likes of Kneecap, Brian Eno and Fontaines DC for encouraging other bands and artists to come forward and openly support Palestine: “We took too long to come to the forefront, but then going on tour with Kneecap in the US and watching three of the most eloquent people I’ve ever met talk about it onstage fearlessly and educate us, and show that standing up for people that don’t have a voice is so purposeful.”
He continued: “It’s strength in numbers as well, and its turning round and seeing it, no matter what form its taking, whether it’s Brian Eno leading his charge with his cooperative of musicians or it’s Fontaines DC getting onstage and putting their signs up, or if its The Murder Capital or Kneecap or Bob Vylan – all these people, like Lambrini Girls.”
The punk band also claimed that the media is playing a role in conflict, saying: “The BBC are not sharing a proper view of it. They’re commissioning documentaries like Gaza: Doctors Under Attack, which is now being shown on Channel 4, and they’re not showing it.”
Soft Play are currently touring their fourth album, ‘Heavy Jelly’, which proved to be their most commercially successful release yet, reaching Number Three on the UK Album Chart.
Drummer and vocalist Isaac Holman teased that a new album is closer than some might think, saying in the same interview: “We’re ready to get in and start making shit again. That’s done. It’s got its place in our heart, but we don’t really care about it anymore. We just wanna get on to the next thing.”
Speaking about the direction their sound will go in for the next album, Vincent revealed: “It’s sounds heavy. It’s just gonna be even heavier, more raw, more Isaac spitting bars, more shredding… I wanna push the envelope even further.”
Keep an eye on Soft Play’s social media’s to keep up to date with any announcement regarding their fifth studio album.
