Coachella Newbie Jessie Ware Talks Fans & The Importance Of False Lashes
Over the past year or so, London-based songstress Jessie Ware has made a name for herself fusing R&B-saturated pop with a personal style that combines vintage jewelry and outlines of the '50s with Sade-inspired '80s cool (her trademark bun and hoop earrings have become something of a calling card). As with her style, tracks like "Wildest Moments" and "If You're Never Gonna Move" seem recorded out of time, taking elements of bubblegum and hip-hop and whisking them into an effortless whirlwind of breezy perfection. Now, Ware is in the midst of a world tour with shows ranging from Europe to Australia. We caught up with Ware just before Coachella's first weekend to talk music festivals, how to stay comfortable on her bus, and the one beauty product she can't live without.
What was your experience like the first time you played a festival?
"Well, my first-ever gig was actually a festival. It was in Holland and it was nerve-racking, but such a relief when it was done and went well. My guitarist, who had been so nervous about it, got too drunk and had to be put to bed, [but] not before he went to the loo thinking our tour manager's bed was the toilet."
What do you expect from Coachella? Are you especially excited or nervous?
"I am expecting lots of beautiful people in barefoot, and red cups, and sweltering heat! I am so, so excited. I love festivals, so to be able to go to Coachella for the first time, and be playing it — well, I can't wait."
How are your festival sets different from other shows?
"We play less of the ballads, as I guess you want the crowd who may not know about you to want to stick around. And we always try and make it as fun a set as possible."
What's one thing you'd never forget to bring on tour?
"Hoops or false eyelashes!"
What's the best thing you've had to eat at a music festival?
"At this festival in Poland, there was this five-star restaurant on site, and we ate it in this airplane bunker whilst we listened to Bon Iver's set on the main stage. It was gorgeous! I always try to make us stop at Whole Foods before long journeys, as I am too tempted by McDonald's and In-N-Out otherwise."
Photo: Courtesy of Jessie Ware
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