BEAUTIFUL CHAOS: FINN FORSTER CHATS STEREOPHONICS, SOUND CITY AND WHY THE BEST IS STILL TO COME

INTERVIEW | FINN FORSTER by Anne Kelly

A year ago, Finn Forster was a rising Teesside singer with a dream. Fast forward to now, and he’s fresh off a whirlwind 2025 that saw him sharing dressing rooms with Greg James and hitting stadiums with the Stereophonics – all sparked by a viral “application” video shown to Kelly Jones on a London street.

With a massive 2026 kicking off at Liverpool’s Sound City and a 12-date headline tour on the horizon, Finn is right in the middle of what he calls “beautiful chaos.” We caught up with him to talk about that “pinch-me” moment with his childhood heroes,the vital importance of arts funding, and why the best is still yet to come.

How often do you pinch yourself, Finn?

“All the time” Finn blushes. “It’s been surreal. It’s amazing what you can achieve in a year. But I’m just grateful for everything”

The Viral Gamble

To find out how he got here, we need to rewind a little bit. It all started during a grueling late-night studio session when Finn and his collaborator, Matt, found themselves in a massive hall with “incredible acoustics.” Seizing the atmosphere, Finn realized it would be the perfect moment to “film a bit of content.” That whim resulted in a cover of the Stereophonics‘ classic, ‘Indian Summer‘. “I just posted it as a reel with the hook: ‘This is my application to support Stereophonics on their upcoming tour,'” Finn recalls. He rallied his fans to tag the band, and as the post began to catch fire on TikTok and Instagram, the “butterfly effect” took hold – but it still required one more human touch.

“There was this girl named Emily Chesworth who happened to run into Kelly Jones in the street in London and she took the opportunity to show him the video on her phone. He was impressed enough to take a photo of the screen to remember it.” A few months later, the “application” was accepted. Finn was invited to open for the band across Europe, leading to stadiums and winter arena shows. “It’s mad, isn’t it?” Finn says. “Something that in the moment can feel so insignificant or far-fetched… it shows that the risks are always worth doing.”

The Full Circle Moment

Reflecting on the influence the Stereophonics had on his musical evolution, Finn is quick to credit his roots. “I’ve always been a massive fan,” he says. “They’re one of my dad’s favourite bands of all time. He had a compilation CD in the car, so whether we were headed to football training or school, they always sound tracked my life. I must have seen them eight times.” But it was watching them at the Newcastle Arena that set the stage for the ultimate full-circle moment: Finn eventually returned to that same venue, no longer a face in the crowd, but sharing the stage with his idols.

Touring with Stereophonics didn’t just gift Finn lifelong memories; it provided an unique insight into playing this game professionally. Simply being in that environment taught him more than any single piece of advice ever could.

​”Watching them operate was a massive eye-opener for me,” Finn explains. “It was my first large-scale, intense tour with such a quick turnaround and so many locations, and I’m just grateful it was with them because their level of professionalism is incredible. It’s like watching elite athletes behind the scenes.”

​He continues, “There’s obviously a reason they’ve been able to perform at that level for 30-plus years, and I got to see it firsthand. It was a major turning point for me – realising how much you truly have to look after yourself.”

“I’ve always felt a connection to Liverpool”

Moving into 2026, the year is looking busier than ever – with a headline tour creeping in fast and a string of festival appearances scheduled for the summer, it all kicks off this May bank holiday weekend at Liverpool’s Sound City.

“Sound City is going to be class! When you think of Liverpool, history is the first thing that comes to mind,” Finn shares. “Beyond the obvious legacy of The Beatles, it’s the global cultural impact and the vibe of the city itself that sticks with you.”

He feels a natural bond with the Merseyside crowd. “The city has such a unique energy, and I think a lot of that comes from the people. Coming from Middlesbrough, I’ve always felt a connection to Liverpool because both places are full of down-to-earth, ‘salt-of-the-earth’ people. It’s similar to my hometown in that you have to stay grounded – you aren’t allowed to get away with much – and I get that exact same honest, welcoming vibe there. Every show feels like a milestone because the audience just ‘gets’ it.”

The Sound City Effect

Liverpool Sound City remains one of the industry’s true trailblazers for talent development. Celebrated not only for a live lineup that bridges the gap between emerging and established artists, but for its leading music conference which brings together talent, innovation and expertise to help grow and nurture the next generation of music.

Backed by key partners including the Musicians’ Union, PPL Momentum Music Fund, PRS Foundation, and Arts Council England, Sound City supports artists from the ground up. Finn explains why it is vital that independent events like this remain well-funded and community-focused.

“I think festivals like Sound City are absolutely on par with Music Venue Trust and grassroots scene. They are the vital infrastructure of the entire live music sector. Without that foundation, the career of an artist simply doesn’t exist. It’s the ladder you have to climb to grow.”

However, building that career is becoming increasingly difficult. “I often see people online complaining, ‘Where is all the amazing new UK talent?’ and the truth is, they are out there in force – but it’s becoming more of a struggle for them to be seen. That’s why investment from the Arts Council and charity partners is so critical. Ensuring festivals like Sound City can thrive is one of the most important things we can do for the industry’s future.”

Beyond just “being seen,” Finn points out the practical relief these events provide. “I think people don’t always realise the pressure a festival takes off an up-and-coming artist. When you’re booking a headline show, there is an enormous financial burden; you’re managing ticket sales, venue costs, and the entire budget yourself. It’s a lot to carry.”

“A festival like Sound City removes that barrier. It gives you the chance to just show up and play on a professional stage that’s already set up for you. Most importantly, it puts you in front of a massive audience that might never have found you otherwise. That exposure, without the overhead of a solo tour, is exactly what keeps the momentum going.”

The Industry Test

As a recipient of the PPL Momentum Fund himself, Finn knows all too well how challenging it can be for an artist to break through the noise. Diving into his own experience with arts funding, he reflects on the necessity of patience and the grit required to persevere when the finish line feels far away.

The impact of arts funding has been massive. Without the PPL Momentum Fund, I simply wouldn’t be where I am today,” Finn admits. “There’s a common misconception that you can just ‘budget better,’ but even on a shoestring, then margins are non-existent.

You can sell out an entire UK tour – you literally cannot sell another ticket – and yet you’re still operating at a loss. Unless you have external factors like merchandise to pull you up, it is nearly impossible to turn a profit at the grassroots level. That’s why initiatives like the PPL Momentum Fund and MEGS (Music Export Growth Scheme) are so vital; they provide the lifeline you needed to survive that growth.

While funding opportunities are out there, the process can often feel overwhelming. From form filling to facing inevitable rejections, Finn encourages artists to keep their eyes on the long-term vision.

“I think the administrative side of being an artist is often overlooked. Nobody starts out as an artist with a dream of having their head buried in application forms. It’s not necessarily what you want to be doing, but once you realise the scale at which it can help you progress, you understand that it’s worth doing.

My biggest piece of advice is to be persistent. People see the wins – like being awarded the PPL Momentum Fund or MEGS – but they don’t see the ‘no’s.‘ I’ve been knocked back far more times than I’ve been successful. If anything, those rejections should motivate you to push even harder. You are tested in this industry; if you got everything you wanted the moment you asked for it, you’d lose that sense of reward. You’d lose the ‘why’ behind what you’re working for.”

The Magic of the Stumble

With much-buzzed-about indie risers KEO and soaring neo-soul singer Jalen Ngonda taking the headline slots at this year’s Sound City, the lineup features an array of exciting new talent across the weekend. When asked for his must-sees, Finn shares that he is more excited to “stumble into a venue” in the hope of discovering his new favourite band

​”One of my favorite things about festivals is the discovery,” Finn says. “I’ll have a few must-sees on my list, but there’s nothing quite like stumbling into a venue mid-set and being completely caught off guard by the energy in the room. Some of my best memories come from those chance encounters – like stumbling into a set by a Scottish band called Vida at Stockton Calling and just being blown away. There’s a unique magic to those moments where you walk in with no expectations and leave as a fan.”

Finn knows firsthand how vital these moments are, crediting his own support slots and festival appearances as the places where he’s been “discovered.””There’s nothing like it when someone comes up after a set and says, ‘I had no idea who you were ten minutes ago, but I’m a fan now,'” he shares. “Whether you’re on stage or in the crowd, that sudden connection is exactly what keeps the live music scene alive.”

Bigger Than Ever

Sound City sets the tone for a monumental summer as Fin heads straight into his own 12-day headline tour and a bucket list appearance at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend. Speaking about the upcoming tour, he teases that fans can expect his most ambitious shows to date.

“For the first time in about five years, I’ve actually had the breathing room at the start of the year to knuckle down and look at the live show as a whole. In the past, there was always a time pressure – you’d get the set ‘good enough’ and then you were straight out on the road.

This time, we’ve purposely taken the time to make everything sound as huge as possible. We’ve completely renovated the live set; even the older songs are sounding bigger and better than ever. Combined with the new music we’re debuting, it feels like the definitive version of what I want my show to be.”

“I’m so ready to share what’s coming next. I actually have a brand new single in the works right now; we’re just waiting on the final mix to come back. But I think the timing is going to be perfect. It’s set to land just as the tour kicks off in May, so it will be fresh in everyone’s heads while I’m out on the road. From there, the plan is to keep the momentum going with a steady stream of new music throughout the rest of the year. It’s chaos – beautiful chaos – but it feels like a brand-new chapter is starting.”

A New Chapter

After such a momentous 2025, the pressure to keep building must weigh heavy on Finn’s development. Thankfully, the man stays just as ambitious than ever before.

“By this time next year, I want to be looking back on a sold-out 12-date tour across the UK. Musically, the goal is to have released my most ambitious project yet—be it a definitive EP or my debut album. I’m also eyeing a US support slot to break ground stateside. Ultimately, if I can secure a 2027 Glastonbury slot while continuing to grow this then that would be amazing.”

If 2025 was the year the world noticed Finn, 2026 is the year he stakes his claim. With a “renovated” live show and a momentum that has shifted from a butterfly effect to a juggernaut, he is an artist who understands that the heart of the industry lies in that “sudden connection” between a stage and a crowd. The “pinch-me” moments might be frequent, but make no mistake – Finn Forster belongs exactly where he is.

Liverpool Sound City: Catch Finn as he kicks off the summer at the UK’s leading independent festival for new music, taking place across Liverpool city centre from May 1st–3rd, 2026. Tickets available here.

The 2026 Headline Tour: With dates in London, Manchester, Glasgow, and more already hitting “low availability” or selling out, don’t wait to grab your spot. The 12-date run kicks off this May. Find your local date and tickets here.