Earlier this month, Funeral For A Friend guitarist Kris Coombs-Roberts and bassist Richard Boucher headed down to the Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) to present a masterclass to their students.
“It was great that Kris and Richard from Funeral for a Friend took time out of their busy tour schedule to come in a deliver a quality masterclass in ACM,” says Ace, the Head of Creative Industry Development at ACM. “The room was packed as they demonstrated their technical wizardry and inspired the students with stories and advice from their 15 year history of success in the band and music industry!”
Students were offered the opportunity to direct questions at Kris and Richard, forming a casual discussion around the music industry. As well as performing the occasional song, the pair hung back after the session to answer further questions from eager students.
“My first impressions of ACM is that it’s an absolutely amazing facility. I think the stuff on offer here for students is far and above what I had when I was younger and going to college,” guitarist Kris Coombs-Roberts said.
Giving advice to the students, Richard Boucher added: “I would say to you guys is, exploit it, use it, go to as many jam nights as you can, get your lecturers – collar them, ask them questions, learn and soak it all up because you’re in a wonderful position, a position that I never had that I am very very envious of so use it.”
Speaking of their decision to call it a day, Kris and Richard explained how they have taken Funeral For A Friend as far as they could, and that both are keen to remain firmly in the music industry.
Funeral For A Friend will be playing their debut ‘Casually Dressed and Deep In Conversation’ and their ‘Hours’ follow-up in full across consecutive nights.
MARCH 2016
23 HAMBURG, GERMANY Knust^
24 HAMBURG, GERMANY Knust*
25 BERLIN, GERMANY Magnet^
26 BERLIN, GERMANY Magnet*
28 MUNICH, GERMANY Kranhalle^
29 MUNICH, GERMANY Kranhalle*
30 WIESBADEN, GERMANY Schlachtof^
31 WIESBADEN, GERMANY Schlachtof*
APRIL 2016
02 COLOGNE, GERMANY Luxor^
03 COLOGNE, GERMANY Luxor*
05 CARDIFF Y Plas^
06 CARDIFF Y Plas*
08 MANCHESTER The Ritz^
09 MANCHESTER The Ritz*
10 GLASGOW ABC^
11 GLASGOW ABC*
13 BIRMINGHAM Institute^
14 BIRMINGHAM Institute*
MAY
20 LONDON Forum^
21 LONDON Forum*
^playing ‘Hours’ in full
*playing ‘Casually Dressed and Deep In Conversation’ in full