More about: Mogwai

The weather at Primavera Sound is being weirdly schizophrenic - dramatically shifting between a biblical flash-flood and scorching Mediterranean sunshine. There's as much chance as trench-foot as there is as of sunburn for the scores of indie lovers who have flocked to Barcelona from every corner of the Earth. 

The line-up has as much of a split personality as the weather. There's the harder rock edge of Nine Inch Nails and Queens Of The Stone Age, and the dance world of Jamie xx and even Stromae. There's the buzz around new acts like Girl Band, FKA Twigs and Courtney Barnett, as well as the undying devotion of returning legends like Slowdive and Loop.

Catching up with Mogwai backstage, a band with pretty iconic status but still inventing and searching for fresh talent through their own Rock Action records, it seems like nostalgia is not always an easy thing to wrestle with.

"I like it in some ways," admits Stuart Braithwaite. "I really enjoyed going to see The Stooges play Fun House and Raw Power, but it can be a little bit odd - especially when people get more excited about something really old. That's something about maybe the culture of Youtube and things existing as if they're current, when they're not. I think its hard to get exited about new music when you make a really big deal about old music."

Barry Burns bursts in: "I wish we'd done it."

"Aye," laughs Stuart. "If we'd split up 10 years ago, just think about the money we'd be getting!"

Is money really the best reason for a band to come back? What other reason could there be?

"Divorce bill, gambling debts," laughs Barry.

"We won't mention the band..." chuckles Stuart, shaking his head. "Some bands have gambling debts."

Another legendary band who's legacy carries weight but doesn't sit so well with everyone is Metallica - who made headlines as one of the most controversial bookings since Daphne And Celeste at Reading when they were announced as this year's Glastonbury headliners. 

If metal isn't your cup of tea, then fear not:  Mogwai are playing at the same time. It's a scheduling clash of great amusement to the band. 

"I can't wait to hear that guy play the drums again - unbelievably bad," chuckles Barry. "He's terrible."

Stuar shrugs: "I just can't wait until we go all quiet and you can hear 'Enter Sandman' in the background, because we're on at the same time. I don't really see the fuss. They're a pretty big rock band and it's a pretty big rock festival.

"It would be good if they could go back in time to 1989. Metallica at Glastonbury in 1989."

When quizzed on the reasons behind the contoversy of their booking, drummer Martin Bulloch adds: "Because they're shite."

It's an opinion that caused a ripple of controversy in the music world, sparking a tipple of anger from drummer Lars Ulrich who replied 'who are you?' Well, as anyone who heads over to see Mogwai on The Park Stage at Glasto this month, they may not be stadium-filling Rock Gods, but they're still a band in their prime. Their latest album Rave Tapes is yet another shining gem in an already astounding back catalogue. Why? Essentially, it's the band doing what they do best, but with more conviction, consistency and ambition than ever before - and the reviews have been fittingly glowing.

Once festival season is done, the last shows are wrapped up and the album cycle is complete, it's back to the drawing board for Mogwai.

"It's not something that we really ever discuss or talk about," shrugs Barry. "We don't know until we start to hear the demos, it's impossible to say. It's really a lot of trial and error, seeing what works and what doesn't. It's a lot of trial and error."

Bassist Dominic Aitchison chimes in "it depends what toys we buy," chuckling "it'll be the same old shite music but I'm sure there will be new sound."

One thing that is certainly on the cards is their soundtrack for the upcoming series of Les Revenents (that's The Returned to you English speaking viewers out there). Their score for season one was one of the best bodies of work and finest albums released in 2013, and they've already started to think about season two despite them adding: "I don't think they've finished writing the new series yet."

"Last time they sent us a script and a list of influences to set the tone like books and films to put us on the right track," says Barry. "With the first one we had to go on tour so we had to start recording before we'd seen any footage so it was a bit of a stab in the dark, but it worked out quite well. Who knows what will happen?"

Stuart continues: "I think now that the tone has been established, it will be a little bit simpler to work through. The only reference we've been given so far is the book The Road by Cormac McCarthy, so it's going to be pretty grim. I don't know if they're going to try and add a comedic twist. "

Is there anything else out there they'd like to soundtrack?

"That's a big question," ponders Stuart, sipping his beer and gazing at the ceiling. "The Bible is pretty epic. 'Mogwai's Bible'. It could be a double album - the old testament and new testament."

New, old, it doesn't matter. We love you, Mogwai. 

Rave Tapes by Mogwai is out now.

The band will be playing at Glastonbury and Latitude festivals this summer, as well as Richmond Park in Glasgow, before embarking on a full UK Autumn tour. Dates are below and tickets are on sale now. For more information visit Gigwise tickets. 

Below: Photos of Mogwai live in Belfast 

More about: Mogwai