Circa Waves are one of the UK's most exciting groups and they have big stages set in their sights as frontman Kieran Shudall tells us ahead of their London gigs .

The band from Liverpool have grown up since their 2015 debut and with it so has their surf-pop sound on that 'difficult album number two'.

The record "Different Creatures" was released on March 10 and it showcases a new sound for the group.

Their indie-pop roots on their debut album have transitioned to a heavier, arena-filling anthem sound.

On the first record Kieran says: "We had a very surf-pop indie thing going on."

And any anxiety over the response of switching that up diminished quickly, as Kieran adds: "With 'Wake Up' the first release, people were initially shocked but it's been amazing.

"Their minds adapted and it's the best reactions we've ever had. I think people are on board."

The group had been teasing the new album for months but getting the full body of work out couldn't have come sooner.

Kieran says: "It'll be good for people to hear it as a whole not only a snapshot.

"At first it's always 'smash you in the face' tunes, but all the in the in between is much more dynamic."

The four-piece group from Liverpool are readying for a headline tour in support of the record, stopping off in their hometown, Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham throughout the tour.

They'll play to thousands of people across the next month but they show no signs of stopping as they reach for even bigger landmarks in their career.

Kieran who is the core of the group's writing stage says: "My songwriting has always yearned for those bigger stages and bolder sounds.

"It's obvious validation the higher up the bill you are because it's deserved and we want to prove ourselves when we play so people say - 'the main stage is these boys' future' - we're pointing our fingers at those places."

Festivals are clearly important for the group and perhaps a catalyst for Kieran starting Circa Waves, as well as the beginnings of plenty of other buzzed about acts.

Leeds and Reading Festival, which the group are returning to perform at this year is a particular highlight in their gig calendar.

Frontman Kieran says the group have festival headline slots in their sights

Kieran says: "I went twice to Leeds when I was a 'crazy' teenager, when I came back I said 'I want to be in a band'.

"I always like to imagine my younger self in the crowd now. That's my main goal to see those kids doing the same at festivals."

Kieran name checks the likes of Royal Blood and Catfish and the Bottlemen as future major festival headliners.

"Now it's Kings of Leon and The Killers who are amazing bands, so I see us as the next generation coming through and starting to step our game up before we take over," he adds.

This may seem pretty ambitious and almost unachievable for some artists but they've already built themselves a passionate following as well as producing two solid records along the way.

And as Kieran puts it himself: "I don't see why not.

"Four years ago I was cleaning student houses and now I'm doing this, my expectations are blown away so I can dream as big as I want.

"We're all so ambitious and we want it."

Tickets for Circa Waves upcoming tour are available here . They play the O2 Forum Kentish Town on March 31 and tickets are priced at £20.35.

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