Jack Gray On Fools, Fashion And Festival Essentials

The first festival I went to was Groovin the Moo when I was 15. My Dad drove my friends and I up from Mackay and we spent the weekend there in Townsville. I think it definitely played a big part in deciding this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life! I remember thinking it was the coolest thing in the world watching my favourite bands rock out on those massive stages with the biggest sound!

‘Fools’ is my favourite song to play on tour. I wrote it when I was 18 and I’ve performed it so many times that when I play it, I don’t have to think about anything else other than being in that moment. Plus, the guitar riff is like a drug to me – so addictive to play!

Nothing gets me more hyped than the track ‘Killing in the Name’ by Rage Against the Machine – it’s my one and only hype song, I’m very loyal to it because it never lets me down!

Listening to ‘Rockstar’ by Nickelback is my guilty pleasure. I grew up with that album and I remember screaming along to it with my sisters in the backseat of dad's Commodore every weekend. It’s very nostalgic for me!

Before I go on stage I listen to Bon Iver and stuff like that – I like to spend 10 minutes by myself to calm my nerves a little.

My rider’s request at the moment is very boring – it’s just tea and honey, a six-pack of beer, sometimes some whiskey, and bottles of water. The dream is, however, to have a pool table in every dressing room – that’s when I'll know we’ve made it!

When I'm travelling I like to be comfy so that usually means a baggy vintage tee, loose fit suit pants and some Crocs or something similar, as long as they can slip on and off easily. I spend a lot of time scrolling through Pinterest looking at fashion stuff so that’s where I find most of my style inspo, and I tend to draw from some of my favourite artists right now.

A festival outfit wouldn’t be complete without a bit of bling! Cool bracelets, necklaces, rings, pocket chains – those things can definitely help complete the look. Festivals can be hot (especially if you’re known for mosh pit antics) so I’d suggest wearing something breezy like a half-buttoned shirt tucked into some vintage high-waisted pants. Boots like Dr Martens are my go-to for shoes. 

I like to pack pretty light for festivals – just my phone and wallet (for obvious reasons) and a groovy pair of shades normally make the cut. But the most essential thing to have is definitely all the good vibes!