- 5 months ago
Speaking to NME backstage at Reading 2025 before their spectacular headline set, Bring Me The Horizon Oli Sykes told us about putting on their biggest show yet, how fathering twins with wife Allissic has changed him and his approach to life and music, and what the future holds for new BMTH music and the ‘Post Human’ world
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00:00Hi, I'm Andrew Trendle. You're watching NME. We're here at Reading 2025 with Oli Sykes to bring me the Horizon.
00:11How are you doing, man?
00:13Good, man. How are you?
00:13Yeah, pretty good. It's been a long one. But, well, you know, I mean, you look really fresh from Anish's dad twins.
00:19Yeah, thank you. I'm feeling good. Yeah, they've been sleeping. So it's been all right. I mean, hectic, but it's been not too bad.
00:27Yeah, but you're feeling renewed.
00:30Yeah, I feel like a different human being, for sure.
00:33Well, that's it. I mean, does that make today all the more emotional? Like, not only headlining Reading for a second time, which is massive enough, but doing it as a new man.
00:42I've actually never felt so calm and peaceful before, like, a headline festival. I'm usually way more stressed than this.
00:49And I just feel like, I don't know how to put it because it's still a massive thing for me and it's still exciting and put so much work into the show and, you know, nothing's changed in that respect.
00:58But I think I'm usually just, like, sat worrying about, like, if the screen's going to work, if the pyre is going to go off at the right time, if I'm going to sing a bum note or, you know what I mean?
01:08All this stuff. And that's just all gone. It's just like, not that it's just another gig, but it's like, I guess the most important thing now is, like, waiting for me at home rather than it being, like, if this gig goes exactly to plan, you know what I mean?
01:21So, and I think I needed that. I was just saying in an interview, it's just, just, like, instantly has killed so many, so much stuff that I had before.
01:30Like, I just used to, you know, keep myself awake with, like, regrets and fears and the future and what could happen and just, like, worried about petty stuff with a band and, you know, just everything.
01:43And it's just, like, it's just obliterated it overnight. Like, I'm saying, like, I take medication for ADHD, which really, like, makes me more serious.
01:52Like, I'm just mental without it, but it don't feel like it don't work anymore.
01:55Yeah.
01:55And I think maybe it's just because all this worry's gone, like, it's just lightened the load so much.
02:02So, like, obviously, like, having kids is hectic, but it's, like, it's took so much from me in another place that it's, like, I'm just so happy.
02:11Do you know what I mean? It feels like a massive, I've been, I've been trying to get to this place.
02:16So, I never thought, like, it would be kids that would get you there. Do you know what I mean?
02:20Yeah. Are the band, like, where's Oli the micromanager going? What's happened there?
02:24I don't know. They're probably just, like, happy to have a little break from there.
02:29It's, yeah, it's, it's, I mean, we're still working. That's the thing. At first, I thought, right, I'm done for a bit.
02:35I'm just focusing on these kids. And about five days, you know, I'm going to sleep all the time.
02:39I've got time. So, we're still working, you know, we're still making music and it's slower, but, and it's a bit more delegating and working remotely and stuff like that.
02:49But, yeah, it's, at the same time, it's, like, it's what I love doing.
02:53And so, it's, like, again, it's another good thing. It's, like, I'm doing it, but it's also, like, I don't need to finish it.
03:00It's not, like, I've got to go in the studio and if we don't finish it, I get depressed.
03:04And it's, like, it's just slowly ticking over.
03:06And also, like I say, all that stuff that were, all that external noise is gone.
03:11I feel like even making me a better writer because I'm not thinking, like, where's the next single?
03:16Or will this do well? I'm just, like, I just want to make something cool.
03:20You know what I mean?
03:20So, even to that level, it's helping.
03:24So, I think even on a creative level, it's going to be really good.
03:28Well, so, last time we spoke, you said, when you were talking about where you saw the post-human arc going,
03:35you said, I've got to end a lot of relationships.
03:38I've got to leave my own country.
03:39I've got to get away and sort of kill a part of myself.
03:43I can't be in the place that made me sick.
03:44But, like, it sounds like you've just automatically been transported to that place you're trying to reach.
03:49Like I say, I think I've been working towards it.
03:51But I think now it's, like, all these things that I preach and say, it's, like, now in my head, I'm, like,
03:57I've actually got to be that now because if that's what I want my kids to see and they're not, they're not,
04:02they're going to, they see through bullshit.
04:04You know, if you're anxious, if you're, you can try and hide it.
04:07But they see it all.
04:09You know what I mean?
04:09It's not just, it's not just, like, purely visual.
04:12It's, they feed off you, don't they?
04:14I think, because my wife was so calm through the pregnancy and, let's say, they're sleeping.
04:18And they're just angels.
04:19I'm, like, it feels like that part of, that's part of it.
04:23Do you know what I mean?
04:23I'm, like, and I'm, like, I've got that in my head now.
04:26I'm, like, all these things that I'm preaching and saying to you and what's good for your mental health
04:30and what you shouldn't care about and that stuff.
04:32It's, like, really, I was still caring about it.
04:36Way less.
04:37And I'll work, but I still trip up and I still do stuff where my brain goes,
04:40don't do that, don't do that, do it.
04:41Do you know what I mean?
04:42Like, Homer Simpson almost, do you know what I mean?
04:43Like, and now it's, like, you can't fuck about it anymore.
04:48You can't.
04:49You haven't got that because they're there.
04:51The kids, you've got to protect them.
04:54You've got to look after them.
04:54You've got to always be on it.
04:55And it's, like, I think, yeah, it's just, it's helped me get over that edge truly, do you know what I mean?
05:02So that's, like, an amazing thing.
05:04So other than being, like, knee-deep in nappies, have you found that fatherhood and even waiting for the kids
05:08and the way that it's changed the way you look at the world, how's that sort of filtered into the music?
05:14How's it, how's your relationship to the music, the relationship to, like, what you're producing?
05:19Has it got, like, a new prism?
05:21It's a little too early to tell, I think, because it's, you know, I could say it's been slow.
05:26Yeah.
05:26But, like I say, I think there's this renewed sense of, like, the pressures a little bit.
05:33Like, it's not so, like, oh, fuck, it's not what I thought it was going to be or whatever.
05:37It's more, like, this is cool.
05:39This is, like, and I had to have that before, as we were leading up to the birth, I had to be, like,
05:46because I wanted new music out this year.
05:48Got so much from the next gen kind of, like, archive that I want the world to hear.
05:52And I was, like, this, like, beginners here, I literally phoned my label and manager.
05:56I was, like, right, it's nearly here.
05:58I've got, like, eight songs.
05:59I think I've got 12 songs, actually, and they're all bangers.
06:02And, like, they're so close.
06:04I'm going to get first single out before Rockham Ring and then second single out before Leeds.
06:08And it started going, oh, maybe not, maybe not.
06:11And now I'm, like, it's not even coming out this year.
06:12Yeah.
06:12Do you know what I mean?
06:14And I had to gear myself up to be, like, you cannot care about that.
06:17The most important thing is now is Alyssa, my wife, and looking after her and, you know, being there and being present.
06:24Like, you know, because I could be someone easily that would be sat on my laptop in the ER room.
06:29Do you know what I mean?
06:29Just like, you know what I mean?
06:31And so I had to really condition myself.
06:35Like I say, now that's set in as a, like, okay, that's okay now.
06:40And I think it's just helping.
06:41Do you know what I mean?
06:42The music will come.
06:43But it's just not, like, the be end and end all.
06:47Like, it's kind of realizing we don't have to put another record out.
06:51We just put one out.
06:52You know what I mean?
06:52Most bands would go away for two years, have an actual break.
06:55So you don't have to do this.
06:56But I want to.
06:57Do you know what I mean?
06:58And it's that kind of feeling of, like, I want to and I'm going to try my hardest because I enjoy it.
07:03And if it don't come or it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen.
07:05Do you know what I mean?
07:06But rather than feeling like, and not that I don't feel like I owe it to the fans because I know they want to hear it.
07:13But at the same time, it's, like, it's just going, it's just taking a step back and going, but there's other things that are important in my life now.
07:20And I've got to make sure that they come first.
07:22Yeah.
07:23And I just think, I just think ultimately that's going to help the process.
07:27Do you know what I mean?
07:28And help us make some really good music.
07:30And I can already feel that because it's just, like, like I say, the things that were important to me before don't feel important to me now.
07:37So I feel like, I just feel, like, comfortable in, like, the band is good.
07:43It's fine.
07:44We're doing all right.
07:46Like, we don't need to do better.
07:48Like, and, yeah, like I said, I think that's just going to help with the output.
07:53Well, that was it.
07:53So before it was, like, the workaholic inside you was, like, why did I say we're having a hiatus?
07:58I've got so much to do.
07:59But now it sounds like I bring on the hiatus, yeah?
08:01Yeah, totally.
08:02Not, I mean, I can't even imagine a hiatus, to be honest.
08:06Like, I'd like to because I see how good it does for bands when they go away for five years.
08:10But I just love it.
08:12Or split it up and come back.
08:12Yeah, it's just like, and then you get massive and, like, you know what I mean?
08:15But I was like, I just love it too much.
08:18I couldn't, I don't know if I could do it like that, you know?
08:20I mean, we obviously need a break.
08:22I need a break because, like, what I'm doing now, it's all next gen, you know what I mean?
08:26It's not, it's not going to be that, it's going to be that world, you know what I mean?
08:30It is like remnants of that.
08:32Directors cut you a total.
08:32Yeah.
08:33Yeah.
08:33And I want a fresh, I'm already, I'm already, like, craving a fresh sound and keep making stuff.
08:39I'm like, oh, that's sick.
08:40But I'm like, not now.
08:42Like, that needs to be, like, honed and, like, crafted and, like, really, like, the songs I'm sitting on that are, like, so sick.
08:49But I'm like, but it's, it's not next gen.
08:51It's something else.
08:52And, but I still don't know what, how that's going to be.
08:55Yeah.
08:55Do you know what I mean?
08:56It's like, and I know for a fact I can't write that now.
08:58I've got to write that in a year when I've been away, when I've let my mind just decompress.
09:03And come back and go, what is the theme?
09:05What is the world?
09:05What is the sound?
09:08So we need that definitely.
09:10But, like, in terms of, like, a kind of strategic play, I just can't see it happening because I just love it too much.
09:18Do you know what I mean?
09:19And so, yeah, it's just, just accepting it is what it is.
09:23It feels really good.
09:26Do you know what I mean?
09:27So you're still feeling the same about where the post-human arc's going to go?
09:31Has that changed at all?
09:32Has the storyline changed?
09:32Well, not storyline.
09:33You know what I mean?
09:33The journey as such.
09:36It's ever evolving.
09:38It's like, there's so much of this story that I've already written that I really want to tell.
09:42Like, we've been doing this, like, unbelievable kind of mockumentary thing, telling all the lore and stuff.
09:47And there's so much of that to tell that's going to, I think, blow people's minds.
09:50It dates back from ammo and everything that's just like, it's always been there.
09:55I've just never bothered to tell anyone.
09:56And I really want to wrap that up in a nice way because that in itself just feels so next-gen, what we're doing.
10:03And I don't know if it's post-human free is going to have that vibe that will work with that.
10:07And it gets to a point with a story where it's like, okay, what's next?
10:11Do you know what I mean?
10:13And that's really dependent on, because I didn't even realize when I was writing all this,
10:17how much every character is just like a kind of a side of me.
10:21Do you know, like, whether it's like the battle between, like, my onstage persona and the person I really am
10:29or, like, how I used to use drugs to desensitize myself from the world.
10:34And, like, every character, like, when I took a step back, I'm like, oh, my God, this is all, like,
10:38these are all my personal journeys.
10:41And I didn't even realize when I was writing them.
10:43So it's like, I can't really write the next bit until, like, I'm like, where am I now?
10:50Do you know what I mean?
10:50And obviously we're talking about fatherhood and all that stuff,
10:53and it feels like this is a massively transformative part of my life,
10:57that biggest, probably the biggest thing since, like, a teenager.
11:01Do you know what I mean?
11:02It feels like that.
11:03It feels like I've gone through, like, puberty again, but to a new level.
11:07Do you know what I mean?
11:07So who knows what that will bring in terms of story,
11:11on top of the fact that the world's fucking just such a scary and weird and just...
11:17That's the thing.
11:17You feel more protective when the world's on fire and you see it differently.
11:20Yeah, just, like, where does it...
11:22I feel like I've said everything I can say on that.
11:25Yeah.
11:25And I feel like it's so mainstream.
11:28We know it now.
11:28It's like these were, like, interesting dystopian plots.
11:32And it all echoes in these stories that I've been writing and stuff,
11:35but it's almost, like, generic at this point.
11:38Do you know what I mean?
11:40So, yeah, like, next phase is, like, I don't really know.
11:44I think I've got no idea.
11:45Like, what I think it is is such a, like, loose thing in my head
11:49that there's just no way that that's what it's going to be.
11:51Yeah.
11:51Do you know what I mean?
11:52So, that needs to, like, that needs time.
11:55Do you know what I mean?
11:55Just to, like, I guess, populate in my brain and just...
11:59A little bit.
12:00Yeah.
12:00I was going to ask, are you intimidated by, sort of, next gen four and five?
12:04Are you quite comfortable then being on, like, in the distance?
12:06I think I've just accepted that this project is just such a big thing now.
12:11And, like, at first it felt like a small little idea.
12:14And now it's just, like, these are just our albums now.
12:17Do you know what I mean?
12:17It doesn't really change all because it's just...
12:20I can go wherever I want with them.
12:22So, they have names, yeah.
12:24But, say, if we finish two now, three would probably, like,
12:29and it were just a new album not connected to next gen.
12:32And it would still...
12:33There's nothing stopping me or boxing me in to go,
12:37it's got to be like this.
12:38Do you know what I mean?
12:39Whatever I want it to be is whatever it would be.
12:41Do you know what I mean?
12:41So, it is just...
12:44You know, to some extent, the story and all that stuff.
12:47But it wouldn't really change what our next record would sound like,
12:51I don't think.
12:51So, I've just accepted that I'll probably be, like, 45
12:54by the time these records are finished.
12:56And then that'll be an exciting thing as well, like, where...
12:59After that as well, like...
13:01Fuck knows what it'll be.
13:03Do you know what I mean?
13:03Can you imagine bringing me as old men?
13:05You're going to be like the Stones and go into your, like, 80s.
13:07It's going to have to be.
13:07I'm in the 40s already.
13:09So, like, it's happening.
13:11Do you know what I mean?
13:11I never thought I'd make it this far, but it's happening.
13:14Yeah.
13:15So, I don't know.
13:16People seem to still like us.
13:18Keep going.
13:19Just keep going until it fizzles out, I guess.
13:22But, yeah.
13:23Just...
13:23It's exciting.
13:25I love it.
13:25I can't wait to get to the next record.
13:27But I've also just got to, like, kind of practice that patience for it to be.
13:32Do you know what I mean?
13:32Like I say, some songs that I just...
13:35Oh, my God.
13:35I can't sit on this.
13:36But I'm like...
13:37But if you want it to be the best version of that song, it's for the next record.
13:40Yeah.
13:41Otherwise, you've got to start sticking all, like, hyper-pop arpeggio crap on it to make
13:46it fit in.
13:47Do you know what I mean?
13:47Yeah.
13:47Like...
13:48And it's like, next gen is...
13:50It's just a sound.
13:51Do you know what I mean?
13:51What we will move away from.
13:53But it is...
13:55I don't want to just write a bunch of stuff that's, like, in between.
13:58And then the next record doesn't feel that kind of fresh because we've already got one
14:03foot in there and one foot in next gen and stuff.
14:05So, but at the same time, like I say, it's like, listen to these songs we've got and
14:10I'm like, this is so good.
14:11This is craziness to not put them out.
14:15But they will not work on the next record.
14:17So, we've got to get them done, you know?
14:20And tonight, how do you follow Limp Bizkit?
14:21That's heavy, man.
14:23I know.
14:23I saw that.
14:24I was like, bloody hell.
14:24But I was actually quite stoked as well.
14:26There's another, like, band from our world sort of thing.
14:30Like, because we fell in a bit lonely when we first saw it line up.
14:33Yeah.
14:33To be the only...
14:34Yeah, it's all quite solo pop stars and stuff.
14:35Yeah, yeah, yeah.
14:36Have you met Fred before?
14:37Is he about?
14:38Yeah.
14:38I've actually worked with him.
14:40Like, did some writing with him and stuff like that.
14:42So, yeah, he's a good lad.
14:45Anything you can tell us about tonight?
14:46Surprise?
14:47You said he was going to be immersive.
14:48Any surprises, special guests or just Wonderwall?
14:51The only special guest will be whatever fan gets on stage to sing Antivis with us, to be
14:55honest.
14:56There's just no space for it.
14:58I mean, apart from, like, people that are, like, guesting on the songs that are not about.
15:03But, like, so this is just, like, us, really.
15:06But we started the Next Gen campaign, really, 2022 here with Eve and the whole kind of AI
15:12overlord kind of thing.
15:14And it's cool because it feels like this is the final iteration.
15:17This is, like, we're calling it a final experiment.
15:19So, it is the last version of this show before we kind of, like, next year will be the last
15:25Next Gen shows and then that'll be it.
15:28It's cool to, like, it's like bookending it.
15:31Do you know what I mean?
15:31Like, finishing it here.
15:32And it's just, like, it's come so far, the show.
15:35Like, thinking back when we, like, debuted that and the Eve thing kind of went viral
15:40and stuff.
15:41And it's just, like, I never knew at that point it was going to take on such a life and
15:46such a start.
15:47It goes so deep and everything we're doing.
15:49And I'm enjoying it so much.
15:51Like, I've just realized that I'm, it's almost like, I think I used to be a drug addict because
15:56I liked escaping into, like, a little world of my own and all stuff.
16:00And I've just realized I'm kind of vicariously doing that through making this show.
16:04Just, like, feeding my inner child with, like, nostalgia and just, and it's great because
16:09I'm like, I can do this.
16:11I've got, we've got money to burn.
16:12You know what I mean?
16:13I just got to come up with the ideas and tell them what to do and, you know, write it
16:16out.
16:16And it's just seeing it come to life.
16:18It's just like, it's so much fun.
16:20Do you know what I mean?
16:21And it's.
16:21Well, that was it.
16:22You can say, that's why I think your Oasis cover went down so well, because it sounds
16:26like you're having a really good time.
16:27Yeah.
16:27Yeah.
16:28Yeah.
16:28It's just, we're just doing what we love doing.
16:30Do you know what I mean?
16:31It's just, yeah, we're just buzzing off it.
16:33And it's just also, we've done it all ourselves.
16:35You know what I mean?
16:36It's like, I think some people might think like we have these massive production houses
16:39and companies that are helping us do all this, but it's, it's me coming up with
16:43the ideas.
16:44My mate in Australia does all the animations, like our crew that are amazing.
16:47And we all just put our heads together.
16:48And, you know, and the shows that I was looking at when first put us together with
16:53like all the dance acts that are doing all the immersive kind of stuff.
16:56And I want to show like that.
16:57How the fuck do you do that?
16:59Like, how the fuck do you get the visuals to match the lights?
17:01And it looked like it's coming out the screen.
17:03And I was so green with it, obviously I don't have a clue, like, and it's just been from
17:08leads and reading to downloads, just being like chipping away and go, that looks cool,
17:13but we can make it stronger and, and learning so much.
17:16And like, now we're here, I'm like, it's like, I'm like, it stands toe to toe with the stuff
17:21that I was looking up to.
17:22And so in my opinion, do you know what I mean?
17:24Like, I'm like, it's like, I'm really hard to please as well when it comes to this show.
17:28Like when we do pre-production, I'm always like, I feel bad for crew because I just look
17:33miserable all the time.
17:34So I'm like, that's out of time.
17:36That's wrong.
17:36I can't see that.
17:37Do you know what I mean?
17:38It's like, but I am stoked at the same time.
17:40I probably should tell them more like doing a fucking incredible job, but I'm just so like
17:45laser focused on what's wrong.
17:46But like, even I stood back on Thursday when we were doing it and I were like, you know,
17:52this is, this is really good.
17:54Do you know what I mean?
17:55And, and that's, that's a lot coming from me, I think.
17:59Well, I'm sure planning it would give you a nervous breakdown.
18:01Have you got like sketches in a notebook of the pyramid stage at Glastonbury, maybe headline
18:052027?
18:06What do you reckon?
18:07No, Glastonbury is not our world.
18:09I don't even know if this is our world.
18:11Like, I guess we're always going to feel like the underdog and it's hard to see ourselves
18:15like a gen pop mainstream band.
18:17I'm like, is anyone going to be here for us?
18:18And like, like I said, I don't, that stuff's gone now, but also like, it's just so hard
18:24for us to not think of ourselves as like this underground rock band still.
18:28And I think, you know, like maybe five, six years ago, that would have been ambition or
18:33maybe like playing Coachella and stuff like that.
18:35But I'm like, but that's not our world.
18:37Yeah.
18:37Do you know what I mean?
18:38Don't force it.
18:38Why?
18:39Yeah.
18:39We're not the cool, like the cool, trendy barista core band.
18:43Do you know what I mean?
18:43We're like, we're our own thing where we're this weird and wonderful band that do all
18:47this, like we just put out this episode three of Unbelievable, which if you don't know what
18:52that is, it's like this kind of documentary of, and it's Lee dressed up in a fucking
18:57anchorman wig and suit.
18:59Do you know what I mean?
18:59Just in a Northern accent, just explaining all the law.
19:03And I was like, and I saw a comment saying, man, I remember this band when they came out
19:06of County Blessings, what the fuck is going on?
19:08Like, what are they doing?
19:09Like, and it's just like, we've just crafted our own thing and we're just really enjoying
19:14it.
19:14And it's like, we're really happy and the band are like best friends and it's all good.
19:19So it's like, why rock that?
19:20Why try and force out like ourselves into like, you know, a square peg when we, it's not,
19:26it's not our world.
19:27You know what I mean?
19:27It's like, and I'm totally with that, with everything.
19:29I don't want to, people are Wembley, Wembley Stadium next.
19:32I'm like, yeah, when a hundred thousand people actually want to see our band and not like
19:37we're doing discounts at Morrison's, you know what I mean?
19:40Please come.
19:40Yeah.
19:40It's like, then yeah.
19:42But until then, I don't give a shit.
19:43I'd rather play 202s or 102 or whatever.
19:46I'd rather just, whatever it is, just, just have fun.
19:49Do you know what I mean?
19:49Because at the end of the day, it's like, that's all that really matters when it comes down
19:53to it.
19:53Do you know what I mean?
19:54We're getting paid.
19:54We're all happy.
19:55We've got what we need.
19:56Like, we don't need much more in life.
19:58We're just so like, why, why try and like force things?
20:02When we went through that period, you know what I mean?
20:04Where we wanted to be on that side a little bit.
20:06And all that came when we stopped trying to, you know, jump on the, not jump on the bandwagon
20:12because then we did that, but try to conform a little bit.
20:14When we just did our thing, that's when like Ed Sheeran phones up and we're like,
20:18do you want to come and do Brits?
20:19Or that's when we won an award and stuff when we just did our thing.
20:22Do you know what I mean?
20:22So it really does just show you like whenever you try and fucking force it or think, oh,
20:29this is a good idea or try and like be like cynical about it.
20:33It just backfires.
20:34That's when you come unstuck.
20:34Yeah.
20:35Yeah.
20:35For real.
20:36Nice one.
20:36You're going to come watch Lent Biscuit now?
20:37Yeah, sure.
20:38Sweet.
20:38Oli, thanks so much for your time, man.
20:40Nice one.
20:40Appreciate it.
20:40Thank you so much.
20:41Appreciate it.
20:43You
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