The Boxer Rebellion werd opgericht in Londen in 2001. Tot nu toe hebben ze een gelijknamige EP en zes studioalbums uitgebracht. Op dit moment werken ze aan een nieuw album en zondag staan ze op het North Stage van Pinkpop. Enkele uren voor het optreden kreeg ik (Martien Koolen) de kans om te spreken met de uit Tennessee afkomstige Nathan Nicholson (zang, gitaar, toetsen) en Adam Harrison (basgitaar).
This isn’t your first time playing at Pinkpop, right?
Nathan: “Right, we played here in 2014 — a long time ago, actually. Back then, we played in the tent.”
Do you have any memories from that Pinkpop show?
Nathan: “Yeah, it was a great show. And we had some advantages playing in the tent — you had a light show and that sort of stuff.”
Today you’re playing the North Stage. What are your expectations for your Pinkpop 2025 gig?
Adam: “Well, firstly, it’s of course an internationally well-known festival — a really big one. So, you want to enjoy the crowd and play your best. We’re looking forward to the crowd — it’ll be a big one. And the stage we’re playing on is shaded, so we’re lucky there.”
How do you guys prepare for a festival like this?
Nathan: “Well, you know, you just go for it — full throttle, right? If you overthink it, you’ll screw up. You might drink too much the night before, that kind of thing, you know? But yeah, we’ve done a few shows this year, and we definitely had to rehearse for this one.”
Did you prepare a special Pinkpop setlist?
Adam: “It’s a very specific setlist, yeah. We’ve got six studio albums, so it’s kind of hard to create one that covers all of them. Let’s just say it was a long discussion between us…”
How hard is it to put together a setlist for just an hour?
Nathan: “Well, since we only have about an hour, we don’t want to take chances picking the wrong songs. It’s not really an argument, but more a careful discussion about what to play and what to leave out.”
Are there certain songs you have to play — the so-called crowd-pleasers?
Adam: “Yes, there’s definitely one crowd-pleaser in the Netherlands that we have to play — Diamonds. So I think we’re not going to play that one… ha ha.”
Nathan: “But we will though…”
Looking back at your first and most recent albums, how has your music evolved over the years?
Nathan: “Well, the last album was very acoustic in nature, while the first one was much more rock-oriented.”
Adam: “We were young guys when we recorded the first album in 2005. It was more anxious and wild — maybe even aggressive. The songs we write now are more laid-back and rooted in real life experiences — a little more reflective, almost nostalgic.”
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard The Boxer Rebellion?
Nathan: “Good question, man.”
Adam: “I’d say we’re atmospheric indie rock with elements of alternative rock.”
Nathan: “I think it’s actually a good thing that our sound is hard to describe or pigeonhole — it means we’re original, right?”
How important are lyrics to you?
Nathan: “I think lyrics became much more important later in our career. In the beginning, it was all about melody and feel. But now I definitely write more personal lyrics, and I spend a lot more time on them.”
Is it important that your audience understands your lyrics?
Nathan: “Nowadays, yes. In the beginning it was more like, ‘Take from it what you want.’ But now I think the words matter more — although it’s still important to leave room for personal interpretation.”
Tell me something about your songwriting process.
Adam: “Most of the time, Nathan comes up with a chord or small idea, and then we all work on it together — think of a good chorus, that sort of thing. That’s how a song is ‘born.’ The initial idea usually comes from Nathan, though that’s evolved over the years.”
What does success mean to you?
Nathan: “It’s changed over the years. Now it means that if we can just keep doing this, it feels good. This is my goal — writing and recording songs, releasing albums, playing live. I’m happy with where we’re at.”
Adam: “As you get older, it really feels like a privilege to make music. And being on the North Stage of Pinkpop — how can that not be considered success?”
What are you most proud of so far?
Adam: “I’m proud of our longevity, the relationships we’ve maintained, and the love we still have for each other. I’m also proud that we’re still excited to make new music and plan ahead.”
Any ambitions left to fulfil?
Nathan: “As a band? I think it’s just to keep doing what we’re doing.”
Adam: “My ambition is to keep making music and to hope that people continue to discover our new songs.”
Does The Boxer Rebellion have a special relationship with the Netherlands?
Adam/Nathan: “Yeah, for sure!”
Nathan: “The venues here are so much better than in the UK. We sell more tickets here, and people really connect with our music. The music scene in the Netherlands is very much alive.”
Adam: “I honestly think the Dutch might be the biggest music lovers in the world.”
Which band would you like to share the stage with someday?
Adam: “Me, playing with them? Really… I’d love to play in Radiohead.”
Nathan: “I think it sucks playing other people’s songs, ha ha… I don’t know, maybe Underworld?”
Last question — if I were in The Boxer Rebellion and you were the music journalist, what would be your final question?
Adam: “Oh, you got me there. Great question again! Why didn’t you ask Nathan that one, ha ha… It’s a tough one… probably something like: ‘How long do you think you’ll keep doing this?’”
And the answer?
Adam: “Forever.”
Thanks for your time, gentlemen.
—Martien Koolen
foto: Serge Hasperhoven / Pinguin Radio