Devon: Bringing it home

Ahead of his first ever headline show at Gloucester Guildhall on Sat 7 Nov, Forest of Dean singer songwriter Devon talks hometown pride, songwriting, creative inspiration and why this long-awaited show feels like the right time.

This is your first ever headline show at Gloucester Guildhall - how does that moment land for you? 
This is a huge moment for me. It’s a local venue that I’ve always wanted to be able to play from a young age. It always felt so out of reach. After taking the live show on the road for many years around the UK, this is the first time I feel confident enough that we could go for it. It feels like the right time.

What feels different about bringing a big show home compared to the rest of your live dates? 
It feels like one show that has been in the back of my mind for a long time. Even though we coined Bristol as the hometown show of previous tours, this truly is the hometown show. This is where we all live; I went to school here. It's right on the doorstep.

Growing up in the Forest of Dean, how has that shaped your sound and the stories you tell? 
For a long time it shaped my sound due to the lack of studios and music industry in the Forest of Dean. It forced me to learn how to produce and write myself without any outside influence. Naturally, I think doing that gave me habits both bad and good, which make up my sound. I talk a lot about my love-hate relationship with the place I grew up so there are many songs about my experiences living somewhere that felt so isolated.

What are your favourite spots in the Forest of Dean when you need to clear your head? 
The Palace cinema in Cinderford or Cineworld in Gloucester, honestly. If I'm not in the studio, I'm usually there switching off and watching movies. 

Do you have any rituals or habits when you’re writing or producing? 
I think it's different every time, but one rule I have always lived by creatively is if a song can't be boiled down to being played on an acoustic guitar or piano when you're sat around late at night with a bunch of friends, then it's not a strong enough song. That has worked well as a guideline for me.

Outside of music, what inspires you creatively?
Movies, listening to podcasts about songwriting, graphic design and branding. It sounds nerdy, but I studied and worked as a graphic designer, so the process behind that has always interested me.

What do you listen to when you’re not working on your own music? 
Anything and everything. I’m listening to the new Phoebe Bridgers album at the moment. It's a weird listen in the gym, but I love it. Also, Bruce Hornsby and the Range is getting big re-play value in my car right now.

You’ve hit some huge milestones already, what’s the next big one you’re aiming for? 
I would like to do an album. I've been working towards it, but whether it happens, I don't know yet. Aside from that, I just want to be able to keep touring and selling out shows across the UK. I've been writing a lot and producing for other artists too, so I would love to be able to just keep having the privilege of being invited into projects and helping create other people's art.

What’s your dream venue to play one day? 
Cardiff Castle, Westonbirt Arboretum (I supported McFLY there but I would love to headline) and Prospect Building in Bristol.

What can fans expect from your Guildhall headline this November? 
All the bangers...and the biggest show that we can put on there. The goal has always been to try to cram a stadium show into any size venue we play. That’s been the ethos since we were playing tiny venues. It’s going to be an exciting one!

Tickets for Devon's show are now on sale. Devon will be supported by China Bears, The Perfect Match & Flora Fiora.