Photo Credit: Nel Cummings

Chicago alt-rock band MADINA LAKE‘s last appearance in the UK was back in 2017 as part of their reunion tour. Eight years later, the band have made their way across the pond for a tour that has put them back on the map, playing to sold out crowds up and down the country. We sat down with bassist Matthew Leone to talk about returning to the UK, how the band have matured musically and in their own respective lives, as well as what the future hold for them.

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You are finally back in the UK. How has the tour been so far?

Matthew: Fantastic. We couldn’t ask for more. They are all pretty much sold out. We are playing smaller rooms, 450-650 cap rooms, and it is better to be safe than sorry.

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It has been almost eight years since you last played in the UK. What made it right to return now?

Matthew: From day one, we have had a spectacular connection with the UK. Our connection with the audience is a real bond that has endured for 20 years. We feel so grateful for it and it has always felt like home to us, and we love coming here. It made sense that if we were going to celebrate 20 years as a band, we would come back to the UK.

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Madina Lake turns 20 this year, how does it feel just hearing that?

Matthew: It’s crazy. Time is a fascinating proposition. Collectively the last 10 years has felt like a blur with all the shit the world has gone through. It is incredible how when we started writing music together in 2005, we were in the honeymoon phase, it was a magical feeling that has been captured. All the insanity that is going on in our respective lives, that can immediately transport you back, physiologically and psychologically, back to such a wonderful time. The band gets along, better than ever. We care about each other and each other’s families. We feel so fortunate that it seems to be manifesting.

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Has anything changed in 20 years as a band?

Matthew: Nathan and I have seven year olds. I have always wanted a family. I knew that career as a musician was going to be transient. Life gets heavy, life gets hard, shit happens. It is cool to grow up with these guys. We have maintained a connection. Even through the hiatus, we have always stayed in contact. Nathan went to Colombia. We all went to Florida together. The friendship is still the same, and it is nice to see that in the audience too. When we talk to fans after the shows, they have grown up too. It is cool to earmark that. 

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Since playing shows back in the UK, and reconnecting with fans who have followed the band from the start, is there a sense of maturity shining through at the shows?

Matthew: Yes. They’ve definitely matured, but what is a spectacular thing is to look out and see the expressions on their faces, 10 years on. It is still that same look. At all times of lives, we are being bombarded with things that are vying for our attention. It is becoming difficult to be in a moment and to escape the tension. There is no denying the world is off its rocker at the minute. Rarely are people in a moment without distractions, let alone to be in a moment collectively with other people escaping for an hour and a half. I am happy we are able to do that and that they are able to bring that same spirit to the shows.

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It has been five years since the release of your EP. Can fans expect to hear new Madina Lake music soon?

Matthew: I think soon might be too much of an optimistic word. We have been writing, we have a few demos that have made it to Nathan for vocals. We have a very high standard internally. The golden rule for us is that it has to have a holy shit moment. It is interesting to see how our taste and preference have evolved over time. I have always fought to keep ‘Statistics’ out of the set, because I wasnt too in to it. We posted something on Patreon and a surprising amount of people told us to play that song. So I listened to it, and now I really appreciate it.

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What can fans expect from the band in 2025?

Matthew: We are going to do some festivals. We’d love to do Slam Dunk but that will more than likely be 2026 at this point. The plan for the UK was to do this tour, then lock in another tour around a festival date but a full UK tour. The timing is yet to be determined. 

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What items are on Madina Lake’s rider 20 years later?

Matthew: It is exactly the same. I have added a lemon for my tea, Chris (drummer) has added some weird dark chocolate, otherwise it is peanut butter and jelly, a loaf of bread, some water, fruit and vegetables. We are still amazed that when we go to a venue, we are humble.