INTERVIEW: Lastelle - Discussing their Exist-ence

Often compared to HOLDING ABSENCE, CASKETS and UNDEROATH, with their atmospheric melodies, heavy breakdowns, and experimental sounds, the UK’s most emotionally resonant post-hardcore band LASTELLE are heading upwards fast. Best known for their cinematic soundscapes and raw lyrical depth, the band has been captivating audiences across the country on their Exist UK Tour, which took them to Exeter, Glasgow Sheffield and more. We’re diving into the heart of their live performances, creative process, and what lies ahead in our chat with guitarist, JONJO WILLIAMS.

As the band prepared for the tour, crafting the perfect setlist became both a creative challenge and a strategic decision. With the recent release of Exist Vol. II, it was clear that the new material needed to take centre stage. “We knew we had to lean into the Exist stuff,” JONJO explained. “Especially with the track Exist just dropping, it made sense to open the set with that. It felt like the right way to introduce the show.” But this wasn’t just about showcasing the latest songs. As a headline tour, it was also a chance to honour the band’s journey and long time fans. “We wanted to keep in some of the older deep cuts,” he said. “It was about building a set that spanned everything we’ve done so far.” Pacing was just as important as song selection; “You don’t want to blow through all the fast stuff at the start and be left with only slow songs at the end, or the other way around. It’s about weaving a bit of a narrative into the set, making it feel like a journey.”

This tour marked their first headline run of this scale, and while it came with its own set of challenges, it was a challenge they embraced wholeheartedly. Opening each night with Exist was a bold move and a bit of a gamble. “It’s a slow build song, so you really want the end to hit like it’s meant to,” JONJO admitted. “I was nervous. You never really know how a song’s going to land live until you’re up there playing it. But it worked and the end kicked off the energy just like we hoped.” As the tour unfolded, the band was struck by the transformation in their audience; “It was our first headline run in about four years,” he reflected, “Back then, we felt like this tiny band just trying to get people to notice us. This time, it felt like people were actually coming to see us. That shift was massive.”

The difference was noticeable in every city, JONJO told us, “It felt like we’d crossed the threshold from trying to get people to find out who we are, to playing for people who already knew and cared. That was a first for us, and it was honestly amazing.” Among the standout moments, the London show naturally took the spotlight. “That show was wild as it was our biggest headline show ever. The crowd was just electric.” But it wasn’t just the big venues that left an impression. “Glasgow was this tiny room, maybe a third the size of London, but the energy was just as intense. People were singing along, loud as ever. It felt just as special.”

Reflecting on the tour, there was a sense of gratitude and awe. “This year’s been a real turning point. We’re aware of the new platform we’re on now. It’s something we hadn’t reached before and we’re so grateful for it.” One of the most unexpected highlights of the Exist UK Tour came from a track the band hadn’t anticipated would resonate so powerfully: Bitter Seeds. Known for their emotionally introspective sound, this heavier, more aggressive song stood out as a crowd igniter. “It’s definitely one of our angrier tracks,” JONJO shared. “We’ve always leaned into sorrowful or reflective tones, so we weren’t sure how Bitter Seeds would land live.” The song’s ambient middle section sparked an overwhelming response and it soared. “We had way more people singing along than we expected,” he said, still sounding surprised. “It’s one of our favourite songs to play live because it’s so energetic, and seeing the crowd react like that, just singing out loud, moving with the music, it was incredible. It felt like the room really came alive.”

The tour itself was a milestone with it being the band’s first proper headline run. “We’ve spent the last three years opening for other acts, trying to get our name out there,” he explained. “This tour felt like we were finally collecting the fruits of that labour.” Stepping into the headliner role came with its own lessons. “You get to the venue earlier, you leave later, and there’s a lot more to juggle in between,” he said. “We made a conscious effort to support the other bands on the bill, many of them are friends or people we’ve met in the scene - but you’re also trying to find time to eat, rest, and stay on top of everything.” Despite the packed schedule, the band carved out moments of fun. “Before the Sheffield gig, we went on a cave tour with BLIGHT TOWN, who were touring with us. It was great fun and a nice break from the routine.”

With the release of Exist Volume II, the band feels they’ve reached a new level of visibility. “We’ve definitely got more eyes on us now,” he said. “It’s been a slow, consistent journey - not an overnight explosion - but I think that’s made us appreciate every step.” Looking ahead to 2026, the band is focused on continuing to build that momentum. “We’ve got some exciting plans that haven’t been announced yet, but they’ll hopefully push us to that next level,” he teased. “The Exist cycle has helped us connect with new listeners, and now we want to bring the music to places where those people can see us live.” One of those places is London, where they’ll perform Exist Volume I and Volume II in full at the Fighting Cocks, an intimate venue with a capacity of 150. “It’s going to be a beautiful way to round off these two releases,” he said. “A celebration of everything we’ve built so far.”

When asked who’s been dominating his playlists lately, JONJO lights up with enthusiasm. “BLIGHT TOWN have been in constant rotation for me,” he says. “We toured with them recently, and they were just fantastic every night. I discovered them earlier this year when we were announced on the same bill for a show. I checked them out, and was immediately hooked. They’re brilliant live, and it’s been great having their music around during the tour.”

He’s also been spinning the debut album from LONESOME, another band rooted in the UK scene. “They’re friends of ours, and I’d say they’ve got a sound that’s kind of like ours but expansive and mellowed out. It’s a wicked album.” Another standout is ALL EARS AVOW, a Swindon-based band whose lead singer CLAIRE runs a studio the band has rehearsed in. “We actually filmed our live performance video for Silence at her studio,” he recalls. “They’ve just released their debut album Horrors too, and it’s really good.” As for bigger names, one recent experience stands out above the rest. “I saw SIGUR RÓS at the Royal Albert Hall in London,” he says, still in awe. “They’re one of my all-time favourite bands. That show was a bucket list moment; full orchestra, the organ, the atmosphere, it was the most immense sound I’ve ever heard. A lot of our ambient, atmospheric influences come from them.”

LASTELLE have spent the years since their inception building a dedicated fan base and with the plans ahead for the next year, they show no sign of slowing down. With the recent release of Exist Vol. II and the end of their headline tour, they are sure to be inspired and ready to see what comes next, and we're very excited to follow that journey.

Words: Lou Viner-Flood

Photos: Lastelle, Ashlea Bea