film, tv, music, and lifestyle for riot grrrls

By Bailey Ewers-Smith

Lily Hopkins and Lewis Copsey of The Meffs.

Nobody does it better than people from Essex, do they? Hailing officially from Colchester, The Meffs have made themselves one of the most talked about bands in the UK's punk scene. One way they've done this is through playing such stellar live sets that they've been asked to open for massive names: Frank Turner, Joan Jett, Alice Cooper. After releasing their debut LP WHAT A LIFE back in 2024, the time has now come for album two. Business, via FLG Records, will be released on 11th September 11th. But just before that, they will take to the stage at Burn It Down Festival on the 3rd September in Torquay, Devon. Are you going to be at the festival? If so, you are doing yourself a disservice if you don't catch this awesome duo at The Red Stripe Stage!

In the run-up to Business and their show at Burn It Down, girlblog! Music Editor Bailey had a chat with their lead vocalist Lily Hopkins.

Your second album, Business, is right around the corner! How would you say this album compares to WHAT A LIFE?

LH: They're very different records in some ways, but they're both clearly 'Meffs' records, if you get me? Business shows how we've developed as a band and it's heavier than what came before. It combines our usual rawness and anger with vulnerability and reality. Lyrically and musically every song belongs on this Meffs album. When the writing process started, there were two main aims for the album: it had to be authentic, and every song had to translate live. We achieved both and can't wait for the world to hear it. Pre-order it now!

Speaking of Business, you guys are definitely going to be hard at work over the next couple of months: new album, a ton of shows across the UK and Europe, and on top of festivals like Burn It Down, The Meffs are on the bill for Twenty One Pilots' edition of All Points East! How does getting that spot rank amongst your other career highlights? Plus, considering the size of every act that made it onto that lineup, getting this must be pretty validating for you two?

LH: Getting that call for All Points East was nuts, finding out we're playing with the likes of Ren and obviously Twenty One Pilots. Validating is a good word for it! We really are in the Meffs 2.0 era. We're levelling up! Everything is a career highlight when you take it all as it comes and stop trying to reach 'x' goal. Take nothing for granted. That's the beauty of The Meffs really; we're hyped 98% of the time!

Yourself and Lewis actually run your own festival: Meff Fest! The third edition took place a few months ago, once again in Lewis' hometown of Colchester. You've even hosted some big acts as well (e.g The Subways and Republica). What's the story behind its creation? Moreover, what is it like to switch things up in terms of roles, by also being in the promoter's seat?

LH: I don't like switching off for long, so it was something cool for me to focus on, especially this year as the new album had just been recorded. It came about a few years ago when we noticed there were a fair few grassroots festivals up North, but not many down South. I was also sad about the lack of diversity at some festivals because 'if you can't see it, you can't be it.’ Line ups felt lazy.

By being in that seat as you say, it has given me a newfound respect for promoters! It's hard graft getting something sizeable to come together and run smoothly. It is unreal though to have secured so many sick acts! The Subways, Republica, UK Subs, Steve Ignorant Band (CRASS) etc. Then playing it ourselves has been the cherry on the cake. Shout out to our good mate AJ for his part in it all.

So Lewis' hometown is Colchester, but you're actually from down the road in Clacton-on-Sea — where I'm from! It's been a bit of an interesting time for us, hasn't it? As we are all aware, Clacton has been the centre of media attention for the past few weeks (for an election about an elitist man, who is trying to pretend that he is not that elitist and that the elite is actually out to get him, while also saying that a man with a bin on his head is part of said elite)! Looking at things as a whole though, on top of its political aspects, how do you view Clacton-on-Sea? How do you view the town as a piece of your career and your life journey?

LH: No way, another Clactoner? Pleased to meet you! Most of my family still live in Clacton and I come from a BIG extended family. I also worked there for about seven years up until about 2023. To this day, every time I go to Clacton, I feel a sense of home. I was talking to someone about this recently: the town I live in now brings this feeling because of friends and family — home is where the heart is and all that — but thinking about when a place itself invokes that feeling, my mind goes to Clacton.

I feel relieved that such a small percentage of people voted for Farage in that joke of a by-election, but it's sad that such a farce even happened. He made a joke out of Clacton, whilst brainwashing enough people into thinking he had their best interests at heart. Although it's not right to put all the blame on the people of Clacton. British politics is a joke. No party paid attention to Clacton, and suddenly a bloke comes along pretending to be down to earth and says he will make the lives of Clactoners better. Shame he is a slimy fascist lying through his teeth. It would've been hard for all this stuff not to have shaped me and my songwriting!

While researching for this interview, I came across a photo you got with the rock legend herself, Joan Jett! It was taken while you guys were on tour with her and The Blackhearts in early July! How did that opportunity come about, and what does it mean for you personally?

LH: So we were invited [by her team] to be main support for the UK tour, but then found out during the run that Joan herself had picked us! Go figure! She is very vocal about the inequalities within the music industry to this day, which is partly what one of our latest singles, Business, is about. As someone who grew up inspired by the likes of Joan Jett, the tour meant a lot, and the audiences we played to were just as amazing!

Finally, down in Torquay, The Meffs will be joined by lots of amazing acts for the aforementioned Burn It Down Festival, including some awesome female/LGBTQ+-fronted acts! Who would you recommend people go and see?

LH: GO WATCH THE MEFFS! We were stoked to be invited to Burn It Down; I remember seeing last year's line up and thinking "yeah, we've gotta get involved". This band is made for playing live. We're also excited to play a load of the new album at Burn It Down because it comes out just days after.

In regards to who we're playing with this year, the line up is stacked, plus it's refreshing to see such representation. One of my favourite bands is playing: SPEED. I went to see them in London on their recent tour. I was blown away! Their focus on inclusivity as well is admirable. They were so vocal about creating spaces and a community for everyone, which stems from their own experiences. It was a proper 'take note' moment. This was actually the show where I also discovered Bodyweb!

Check out The Meffs at Burn It Down Festival on the 3rd September, and pre-order their album Business, releasing on the 11th September.

Interviewer’s note: Edits have been made to the questions and answers in order to make the interview better suited for publishing, but it has been kept as close to the original transcript as possible.

Lily Hopkins of The Meffs Chats Burn It Down and Touring With Joan Jett

By Bailey Ewers-Smith

Debbie Gough of Heriot on Burn It Down Festival