Kid British on the World Cup

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The Brit Pop era of the 1990s heralded a fusion of ‘lad bands’ and football, the staple of a modern Britain. The likes of Oasis, with their arena packing music, paved the way for current British bands such as Kasabian and the Enemy, guitar bands who embrace their love of the game. With the dissolution of Oasis, a new Mancunian four piece bring a fusion of music and football to the nation, and they’re called Kid British.

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The band, drawing on influences of Blur and Madness, with a hip-hop production element, even show their love of the game with their debut EP, titled ‘It was this or football’. This is an exciting time for the band which comprises of three Manchester United fans and one Manchester City fan. They are a featured artist on the new FIFA World Cup game, are planning an autumn album release and most importantly, are salivating at the thought of England in the World Cup.

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“There are a lot of things that come with the World Cup. There is a real buzz around, as it only happens every four years, so you may as well enjoy it” says Adio Marchant, one quarter of the singing/songwriting quartet, and the only City fan in the band.

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Adio and the rest of Kid British were appearing at the launch of the Kitbag pop-up store in the heart of Manchester, which has been set-up specifically for the World Cup. “I picked myself up an Ivory Coast top. I’ve got them as an outside bet for the World Cup. I’ve got three teams this year, England, Brazil and Ivory Coast” he said.

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Despite keeping a close eye on the African side, he is firmly behind England and sees this as the best chance at success they have had for a long time. “We’ve come to a crunch point for certain players. It’s the last [World Cup] they will ever have. I know we say it all the time, but the team looks like the best we’ve got and you think it’s time they actually stood a chance.

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“There is enough quality to get to the semi-finals. We’ve got just as good a player as everyone else. It just depends on who decides to turn up.”

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The real fear of all England fans is the dreaded penalty shoot-out. England have been knocked out of the last two major competitions they competed in, on penalties. “We always seem to do that. We have a good run, then it comes down to penalties. It seems to be the killer. It’s funny, because no matter who steps up, you don’t think they will score. Penalties are England’s kryptonite”, Adio says.

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As always, the World Cup is not just a one team tournament. It is this which makes the World Cup so special. Everyone has a favourite memory or special moment from the tournament. For Adio, the romance of the World Cup is the mismatch in opposition which the group stages bring. “I love it when a true underdog team beats someone big. Like when Senegal beat France [in 2002]. They weren’t meant to beat France, but they were the story that year. They are what the World Cup is about.”

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A huge part of the tournament though, is nostalgia of past successes and failures. Memories which highlight a particular memory or poke at old wounds. “My most famous memory has to be 1990 and seeing Gazza crying” said Adio. “It was pretty devastating and even though I was young, that is a memory which really sticks with me.

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“The best World Cup I’ve seen though is 1994, with Bebeto and Romario up front for Brazil. I loved it. It was just amazing to watch the way they played and how they dismantled teams. All in all it’s wicked, I’m just buzzing.”�

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Regardless of the outcome, this tournament looks like it will be a memorable one, and like the rest of the nation, the guys in Kid British will be on the edge of their seats come June.

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