KERNOWFORNIA FESTIVAL takes place in Looe from 26-28 September, the lineup is immense and we’re really looking forward to crossing the bridge and covering as much of it as we can. In a series of interviews with bands performing at the festival, we caught up with THE CABARATS to chat about new music, Cornish delicacies, seaside activities and pre-gig rituals….

You’re kicking off your Kernowfornia set right beside the sea in Looe—what unique energy or challenges do you think a coastal stage brings to your performance?

We love playing by the sea! As long as the weather is good it ensures that we and the audience are all in a good mood, feeling the holiday vibes. All of this helps to create the setting for the perfect gig, where both the band and the audience are on form.

Have you lined up any more festival shows after this, or is Kernowfornia the grand finale to your festival run?

No, Kernowfornia will be our final festival of the year! It’s always nice to have a festival booked at the end of September. The weather is still usually great and it just helps to extend the summer, giving us all something to look forward to.

Will you be treating Kernowfornia audiences to any brand-new tracks or unreleased material during your set?

We actually have 2 new unreleased tracks which will be in the set. We are planning to get in the studio in the winter to record them (although we have not announced this yet… shhhh…)

We are also working on a new traditional knees up ending song for the set, but this may or may not be ready in time…

Cornwall’s coastline is known for its dramatic beauty - where is YOUR fave spot in the county?

Ha, there are far too many to name! But we do have a soft spot for Treyarnon Bay. We have done a couple of gigs there and we like to make a little holiday out of it when we do.

Kernowfornia’s surf-and-sun vibe is a big part of its charm—how does your sound and stagecraft fit into that laid-back, seaside atmosphere?

I guess our sound has been influenced in quite a few ways by surf (and skate) culture. Whether it’s Sublime, Jack Johnson, West Coast ska/punk, or classic surf rock, we have been inspired by all of this at some point! So we think we fit very well into that sort of atmosphere.

When festival-goers are lounging on the beach, which of your songs do you think will instantly get them on their feet?

If they are not already dancing, then the part of ‘I Wonder’ where it builds up and drops randomly into a psychedelic DnB version of Misirlou (the traditional Greek song made popular by Dick Dale’s 60s surf rock version), never fails to get the crowd going!

Do you have any pre-gig rituals or warm-up routines that you always stick to?

Dan has to do stretches for his accordion arms, Malcolm does a weird thing with his hands that no-one really understands, and we usually have a very silly dance to the band or DJ playing before us to loosen up the muscles and get us in the mood.

Rate these Cornish goodies in Bronze, Silver and Gold medal places please - Pasty / Ice Cream / Dip in the sea

Can we give the gold to all three???

The lineup at KERNOWFORNIA is FAB, which other acts are you excited about seeing?

It really is, there are some huge names on there! Jordan Rakei will be a treat! And whatever you do, do not miss Badcore Horns, we can never get enough of those guys!

Where are the best places to keep up to date with you on t'socials?

Facebook or Instagram (@the_cabarats)

We’d like to thank The Cabarats for chatting to us ahead of KERNOWFORNIA FESTIVAL taking place, if you’re heading to it at the end of September, do make a beeline to check them out!

For more information and tickets for Kernowfornia click HERE