Why Splendour's Darlia Are The Real Deal

Nathan Day is fully aware that this European summer is going to be a game-changer. Darlia, the grunge trio he fronts, have found their way onto some of the continent's biggest bills – Glastonbury, Rock am Ring, Reading/Leeds – and have done so with nothing more than blind ambition, a tireless work ethic and a clutch of feedback-soaked angsty rock anthems.

“I think it will really strengthen us as a band,” says the 20-year-old regarding their summer schedule. “It's like getting in fights – it'll toughen you up.”

Using music as a way to overcome crippling anxiety as a teen, Day long dreamt of these times, though he was happy to remain under the radar in his younger years. “I didn't want people to think we were a novelty band of kids,” he recalls. “I wanted to actually be taken seriously as a musician.”

Prophetically, Day promised this life to old schoolmates Dave Williams (bass) and Jack Bentham (drums) a few years ago when the frontman and Williams were working as cleaners, simply saying that if they stuck together it was going to happen for them. Even as recently as last year, Williams said, “'Nathan, if you manage to get us a gig in Manchester I'll love you forever.'” Now, they're playing massive festivals, they've locked down a record deal, and they're looked after by Oasis manager Marcus Russell. “I think those blokes trust me a lot more,” Day understates.

Darlia are based in Manchester, an hour drive from their former stomping ground of Blackpool. The move came out of necessity for the trio, with the derelict streets and deprived scene of their hometown no match for the thriving northwest city. “We've got a strip [in Blackpool] next to the beach and tower – that's our tourist attraction – but one block away you'll get mugged and you'll get tramps and prostitutes all making offers.”

But for Day, the underbelly of seediness in Blackpool helps to give Darlia's story a level of authenticity which he's proud of. “No one can ever claim that we were posh boys,” he stresses. “There was a massive wave of guitar bands who were either privately educated or knew someone who worked in the industry. They were posh boys trying to be rock'n'roll. I think that a bunch of cleaners who were on their knees every day scrubbing, who come from Blackpool and who are now in a rock band, I think that gives us [legitimacy].”

Darlia arrive for Splendour In The Grass with nothing more than an EP and a single to their name. But don't be surprised if you're hearing a full-length album soon after their visit. “I can write songs until I'm dead,” levels Day. “I've already written enough songs to put out five or six albums if I wanted to.”