Everything about LA trio Haim’s music is tailor-made for festivals, each massive funk lick another step closer to conquering every muddy field in sight. Sisters Danielle, Este and Alana Haim have been away from Reading + Leeds for too long - they even had to cancel last year’s appearance to focus on finishing second album Something to Tell You. But on Sunday night (August 27), they’re making up for lost time by headlining the NME/Radio 1 Stage. Here’s why it’s going to be one of the weekend’s standout sets.
1. Behold the bassface
The most infectious of facial expressions, bassface is taking over the world. As mastered by Este Haim, it sees the bassist widening her mouth to a ridiculous extent. Every ‘damn, that’s good’ riff sees the gurn widen even further. Many have tried to replicate the art form, but it’s a tough ask. Expect to see everyone in the front rows going gung ho in the bassface stakes.
2. They’ve already conquered the toughest festival slots
Haim haven’t strolled towards the big time. In 2014, while playing Glastonbury, Este Haim came close to having a diabetic seizure. She spent half the set seated, and later told Â鶹ԼÅÄ Newsbeat she “almost died.” She recalled being saved by her manager, who performed crucial but unconventional heroics. “My manager, he's the best manager in the world, he had to put chocolate on his finger and stick it in my mouth.”
With near-death experiences safely behind them, headlining the NME/Radio 1 Stage should be a doddle.
3. They have Something To Tell You
Haim’s second album came out back in July. Four years in the making, during which they spent most of their days glued to an LA studio, Something to Tell You is well worth the wait. It builds on the wall-to-wall bangers of debut Days Are Gone and adds some vital songwriting grit. And in songs like Right Now and the George Michael-nodding Little Of Your Love, they’ve delivered several more festival-ready anthems, designed to be chanted back in wild unison.
4. They’re queens of drum solos
You might have seen Haim’s video for epic slowburner Right Now. Filmed by directing great Paul Thomas Anderson, it sees the sisters piecing together the song in their studio. The first few minutes are all hushed restraint, and then suddenly they ditch their mics for some giant percussive instruments, before breaking every drumstick in sight. Live, they go even further. Every pause from delivering slick guitar licks is an opportunity to smash a drum into smithereens. It’s also obligatory for crowds to get in on the action, so expect lots of handclaps and air-drumming.
5. There’s no way they won’t crowdsurf
[WATCH] Haim's last Reading + Leeds performance, in 2013
Another one of Haim’s live trademarks is their complete inability to stay on stage. One minute Alana Haim is rooted to the spot playing rhythm guitar, the next she’s racing away, high-fiving members of the crowd in a wild lap of honour. There’s a decent amount of space to work with on Reading + Leeds’ big stages, and Haim are guaranteed to make the most of it.
6. They’re destined to headline the whole thing
It might seem premature to call Haim dead-cert headliners, but they have everything going for them: two massive chart-conquering albums, huge hits, unending stage prowess, and a massive drive to become a bigger band. The question of ‘where are all the new headliners?’ constantly pops up - Haim are the answer.
