Our regular run-down of as many of the Bloodstock bands as we can get to talk to us! MAB play the EMP stage on the Friday…
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
We are originally from Sardinia, Italy, but now we are scattered around! I live in London (Alice, PJ – voice and bass), Jessica (drums) in Vigevano, Marina (guitars) in Rome and Lisa (guitars) in Sardinia.
How long have you been playing together as a band?
We started in 1996, so it’s been a long ride for us. We had a hiatus period of 15 years before our recent comeback in 2023.
Where does the name of the band come from?
MAB is the Queen of Fairies in Celtic mythology. We picked it originally inspired by a song from Queen from their second album Queen II called “The Fairy Feller’s Master Stroke”. Freddie Mercury wrote it inspired in turn by a painting by the English artist Richard Dadd, “The Fairy Feller’s Master-Stroke”. MAB was perfect for us, as she is known for being the ruler of dreams, often depicted as a mischievous and sometimes malevolent figure who influences and controls the dreams of mortals.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
Our music is a unique blend of metal, gothic, and psychedelic atmospheres, influenced by the peacefulness of Sardinia and the intense, neurotic energy of London where we lived and worked together for many years. We call this sound New Dark, where Dream meets Reality, a swing between darkness and light.
What’s your live show like? Why are people going to watch you instead of another band?
Our live shows are known for their intense energy and emotionally charged performances. People come to watch us for our distinctive sound and the powerful presence we bring to the stage. I imagine that if the public is interested in listening to a kind of metal that is different from the norm and with an exotic touch, they can find their home in us.
If you like what we do, consider ing us on Patreon for as little as £1 per month!
Have you been to Bloodstock before? What did you think?
We’ve never been to Bloodstock before, this will be our first time, and honestly it’s mind blowing to be able to experience it from the stage! We are so excited!
When/how did you find out you’d been selected to play at Bloodstock?
Our manager got in touch and broke the news to us a few months ago, we couldn’t believe it! After years of being apart, coming back to this stage is
massive, we are so very thankful for this opportunity.
What sort of setlist can we expect?
You can expect a mix of our tracks from our three studio albums: NOUGAT! (1998), DECAY (2007), and ILLUSION (2011).
Stage times haven’t been announced yet, so which other band do you most hope you’re not clashing with so you can see them play?
We would likely want to avoid clashing with Opeth and Enslaved, fingers crossed!
What are you working on at the moment?
We are currently working on new songs. It’s not easy with the long distance, but technology helps, and we are very stubborn and determined, haha. Nothing was ever easy for us, but somehow we managed to cross bridges and climb mountains. Hopefully we still have some of that juice in us!
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
Oh dear, fun but difficult question! Kissing my bandmates perhaps? Haha, not sure if this counts as wild. I’ve seen people getting naked on stage, but yet again, maybe not so wild nowadays!
What drink do you throw back to get yourself fired up before going on stage?
We don’t have a particular pre-show ritual involving a drink, but we normally hug together and scream, especially if it is a big show. It gives us a buzz and a sense of closeness that we feed on during the shows.
Don’t fancy Patreon? Buy us a one-off beverage!
MAB: official | facebook | instagram | spotify | bandcamp | youtube
