FLOWERS OF PALO MEET SLOWTHAI

EMMA, KIERAN, JOSH AND ALEX FORM FLOWERS OF PALO

“We met Slowthai and he was a big fluffy teddy bear!”

Proud to be Cornish, it was no surprise that this young, fresh, four-piece band were offered to reopen the magical Land Of Saints stage this year after numerous festival cancellations.

Although used to the cosy security of local pubs, filled with post-punk indie fans hungry for their favourite Flowers of Palo sounds, and sweaty dancing after the isolation that 2020’s lockdowns threw at us. These guys were about to venture outside of the pub with Boardmasters 2021. This was their first time playing in front of a large audience. Emma called this a “mega” opportunity for the band.

Indeed, ‘mega’ it was. 55,000 festival goers who were aching for some fresh indie rhythms and a good boogie attended Boardmasters that year. It was their first time playing on a stage this big with a history full of famous artists that we looked up to as kids.

Nerves quickly passed as soon as Emma broke through the crowd’s roar with her angelic vocals. Kieran and Alex tickled their bass and guitar strings, and Josh’s hands danced with the drums. They were destined for this moment on stage and executed it so naturally. Bursting with adrenaline and support from the crowd, the band hadn’t noticed rapper, Slowthai, had peeped their show and loved Emma’s voice.

Slowthai is fairly new to the music scene, but after recognition following his first single ‘jiggle’ in 2016, Slowthai blew up in the rapping world. With 3 million monthly listeners, features with big names, his very own branch of merchandise, and his modish but unique style and voice. It was clear to see that Slowthai was only getting bigger.

Is his cheeky confidence really what’s shown off stage? Of course it is. We’re only human, it is natural to have different sides to your personality, it is choosing what side to show that is a hindrance that comes with fame. The Cornish newcomers had soemthing to say about the rapper. After chilling backstage, Flowers of Palo and Slowthai’s paths crossed briefly but briilliantly. Sharing stories of nerves and first time performing, Emma claims Slowthai was really just a “big fluffy teddy bear!”.

BY CAILIN WHEATLEY