Photo Credit: @CHAZZADNITT

FIGHTSTAR are to perform their first show in eight years, and their biggest headline yet at Wembley Arena in London this March. Taped submitted some questions to vocalists/guitarist Charlie Simpson surrounding the bands reformation and upcoming 20th anniversary.

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How excited are you as a band to come back after eight years? 

Charlie: It feels incredible to be playing a show again after so long and the fact it’s at Wembley Arena which is one of the UK’s most iconic venues makes it all the more awesome.

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Apart from it being the 20th anniversary, what made the decision to bring the band back together again? 

Charlie: We often get asked when Fightstar will be coming back. We have managed to garner an incredibly loyal fanbase over the years, which blows our mind. It’s amazing to think that 20 years on we still have people that are so passionate about are music. The 20 year anniversary just felt like the perfect moment

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Does this time around feel different compared to your first reunion back in 2014? 

Charlie: I think it feels different because the gap between when we last played together is a lot bigger this time than it was in 2014. Also celebrating 20 years is a much bigger milestone and the fact we are playing a show at a venue we have never played before.

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What was the reason behind choosing Wembley Arena as the venue? 

Charlie: We wanted to play our biggest show yet and this will be the first time Fightstar have headlined an arena. Playing an arena gives you a lot more scope to put on a spectacle of a show which is important to us, given the fact it’s a one off show.

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Twin Atlantic and Loathe will be joining the reunion show line-up. What was the reason behind choosing those two bands? 

Charlie: I have been a fan of Twin Atlantic for years and actually supported them as a solo artist about 10 years ago, so it’s great to have them on the bill. Loathe are a band I only came across recently and were recorded to me by my brother, as he thought I would like them. I think they are one of the most exciting UK bands around at the moment.

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How does it feel to have the label ‘20th anniversary’ for that show? 

Charlie: It feels great and also gives us a lot of freedom in creating the set list. Over the years we have usually always weighted the set list in the album we were promoting at the time but as this is a stand alone show celebrating 20 years, we can make a best of set list which I think the fans will love.

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How have you managed to keep up with the demand of  touring/writing/recording with Busted, your solo material, The Masked Singer and Fightstar  all within 12 months? 

Charlie: It’s been a hectic year for sure but to be honest I have loved it, as the past few years have been very restrictive for musicians due to the pandemic, so it’s been amazing to get out there and be busy again.

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Can people expect new music from Fightstar anytime soon? 

Charlie: I think new music will come at a time when we can all dedicate enough time to make that happen. We don’t want to put out new music for the sake of it. It’s important to us that anything we release is the best it can possibly be. For now we are focused on making this show as epic as possible.

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Are there any other plans for the band going into 2024? 

Charlie: The Wembley show will be the bands only show of 2024.

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After 20 years, what is one thing you still want to achieve as a band? 

Charlie: I think as long as we keep creating stuff that we love, anything after that is a bonus.

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Fightstar will perform at Wembley Arena on Friday 22nd March 2024 to celebrate the bands 20th anniversary. Remaining tickets are on sale HERE.