Radio Free Alice on supporting Geese’s debut album
The air backstage at Reading & Leeds 2026 crackled with energy, but for the Australian indie outfit Radio Free Alice, the most captivating conversation wasn’t about the crowd—it was about the weight of history, the magic of a shared stage, and the exhilarating chaos of chasing a dream.
After delivering a powerhouse set at The Gallery, frontman Noah Learmonth, drummer Lochie Dowd, and guitarist Jules Paradiso took a moment to reflect on the experience. Playing a festival steeped in such legendary history, they acknowledged the sheer magnitude of the occasion, noting that the experience lent a particular gravity to their performance that other gigs simply couldn’t match.
The band’s journey, which includes supporting the globally renowned Geese, added a layer of surreal excitement to their summer. Learmonth recalled the surreal experience of talking backstage with Cameron Winter, an artist often in the spotlight, highlighting how quickly the world of music, celebrity, and shared experience can collide.
“It was amazing to share a stage with the most talked-about band in the world,” Learmonth shared about the impromptu backstage encounter, emphasizing the wild, topical nature of the interaction.
This newfound attention, however, brought with it a mixture of excitement and nervousness. When asked how it felt to have so many eyes and ears focused on them, the band admitted it was both thrilling and slightly anxiety-inducing, especially as they prepared to release their long-awaited debut album.
Radio Free Alice’s musical DNA is a fascinating blend of influences. Their sound is rooted in the open-hearted, bittersweet tones of acts like The Smiths and The Cure, interwoven with the melodic pulse of New Order, The Jam, and The Housemartins. This amalgamation forms their characteristic kaleidoscopic and widescreen indie approach.
When asked how the debut album, ‘What’s In Between,’ shaped their sound, Paradiso explained that the creative process was anything but linear. Some songs emerged years apart, some were just jams they played over the years, and many weren’t initially intended for the record. This resulted in a wonderfully eclectic mix.
“It’s a bit of a mixed bag,” Paradiso noted. “We can expect a sound very similar to what we’ve got out already, but we’ve managed to push it in a slightly different direction. It’s more considered, more intentional, and we’re all really proud of it.”
This Anglophile sound, proving irresistible to British indie fans, has naturally led to a bigger question: should they embrace the UK, particularly London? The band admitted their enthusiasm for the rainy UK climate was matched only by the reality of the high cost of living.
“Brutal. Very brutal,” the guitarist joked, acknowledging the reality of London rent prices. Noah agreed, noting that while places like Bow are good, the financial reality is tough for any band trying to make a living.
To help navigate this reality, the five-piece are inviting fans to join them on the journey by purchasing their debut album, which they hope will resonate with listeners looking for something ‘coming of age.’ Learmonth confessed that he always gravitated towards themes of ‘dispossessed young persons’ in his favourite films.
The album, ‘What’s In Between,’ will hit shelves on October 30 via Atlantic Records. As the band looks toward the spooky season, they are gearing up for a release that promises to be as emotionally rich as it is fun. Fans can catch the full details and tour dates for their upcoming UK and European dates, which include stops in cities like Berlin, Amsterdam, and London, and find tickets available online.
Buy on Amazon
Credit
