Singer Billy Lunn spoke to The Guide about the date, part of the band's first UK tour since the band's enforced sabbatical after he had an operation on his throat that could have wrecked his singing career.

How's the new material going down live?

"The response to the new songs has been really quite exciting. Our avid fanbase know a few of the new songs already, as we've been playing them at our live shows over the last few years as we've been writing them.

"We wrote most of the new material on tour, which is why a lot of the songs on the new album are relatively upbeat and heavy, though we do have some pensive, thoughtful and poignant moments on this record that we wrote in the studio that we're really proud of.

"We've never really written songs in the studio before, but Butch (Vig, Nirvana's producer) was really encouraging and we're always keen to try new formulas, and this new album is sort of a testament to that."

How would you describe the sound of the new record?

"In comparison to the first album, this new record sounds much more vibrant and heavy. We've grown as musicians and I think I've become more confident, articulate and open as a lyricist, and I think that just makes for a more interesting and honest album than the first."

You had to cancel some dates because of trouble with Billy's throat – was it ever a worry that the band would have to give up?

"There were points when we worried I might never sing again, but those are the moments that make you realise just how much you want to carry on and put all your heart and soul into the songs – which are essentially what matter in the end."

Was it a thrill to return to live performance?

"We thrive on the idea of being on stage and having that connection with the audience and making them want to go crazy and crowdsurf and stagedive and just let go, so when we stepped back on the stage it was like coming home."

Has the ending of your relationship with Charlotte (Billy and bassist Charlotte Cooper split during the recording of the new album) made it tricky to work together?

"I think we're closer now than ever because we've overcome those really difficult times and made a record together after all that happened. We always said that music comes first, and no matter what happened, nothing was going to get in the way of us recording these new songs that we'd worked so hard on."

It must be very nervewracking to be on the verge of releasing a new album . . .

"We're all just really proud of the album, and so it's mostly excitement that we're feeling at the moment. Though there is an air of nerves, because we're just really interested about what people will think of the songs. We've really worn our hearts on our sleeves, and you can see that in the lyrics."

You have quite a special relationship with Glastonbury in that the festival gave you a break very early on . . .