envy performing A Dead Sinking Story

If you’d had a chance to glimpse behind the curtain at Roadburn HQ at various points over the last few years you may well have caught us, head in hands, despairing at the white whale that continued to elude us. But, with this latest announcement we’re thrilled to confirm that we’ve finally snagged envy – and better yet, they’ll be joining us to perform two very special shows.

We’ve encountered people who would swear blind that they’ve seen envy at Roadburn already; they’re baffled by how this magical pairing has not yet come to fruition. Whether it’s bad luck, clashing schedules, or life simply getting in the way, we have never quite got it over the line until now. And as long time admirers of envy, we knew that when we finally nailed it, we’d have to make it something spectacular. 

For their first main stage performance, envy will perform their stunning 2003 album, A Dead Sinking Story in full. The album has been a firm favourite of ours – and many others – for over two decades, and is considered to be a high point for both the band and the broader post-hardcore scene. The intensity of the vocal delivery coupled with the grandiose dynamics of the instrumentation are classic envy through and through, and yet sound as vital today as they did when we first heard this album. 

But envy is not a band who has stood still, indeed, they have continued to evolve over the years since A Dead Sinking Story helped them reach a wider audience. For their second set the band will spotlight their most recent offering, Eunoia, as well as some other select cuts from their ‘modern era’. It’s rare to find a band that has been so consistent for so long; managing to retain their own distinctive sound yet propelling themselves forward – never making the same album twice.  Eunoia is proof that more than three decades into the game, envy are still champions. 

Of their long-awaited Roadburn debut, the band comments:
“We have been invited to perform at Roadburn many times for a long time, and now we are finally able to perform on their stage. We have been waiting for this moment with all our hearts, so we are deeply grateful and excited that our wish has finally come true. We are looking forward to sharing emotions and hopes with the audience through our music and delivering new sounds at this special festival, Roadburn.”

We’re absolutely over the moon to host envy for these two special shows. Not only because they took some time to secure, but because to witness envy live in any capacity is always a pleasure – a euphoric combination of joy, tension and release brought to life. However, to have them celebrate two significant milestones in their rich career? That’s a next level dream coming true.

– Becky Laverty