We chat to BEN HAENOW ahead of the English Riviera Food & Music Festival....
We’ve been busy chatting to acts performing at this year’s English Riviera Food & Music Festival which takes place from 26th - 29th May 2023. With UB40, Scouting for Girls, Coral Palms and Gecko and the Bee ticked off, we thought it would be great to catch up with past X-Factor winner BEN HAENOW about dinner parties, cooking, musical memories and amusing festival stories….
You’re performing on the main stage at this year’s English Riviera Food & Music Festival, what are you most excited about, the food or the music?
I guess I should say the music… but if I’m being honest I’m pretty excited for both! I can’t really think of a better combo than food and music together.
People will no doubt remember you for winning TV’s X-Factor competition in 2014, you then went on to release a platinum selling single and even bagged the Christmas number 1 with ‘Something I Need’ - I guess 2014 was an exciting and life changing year for you?
It sure was! It was great fun to be part of The X Factor, and to go on and actually win was a dream come true. I had such a good time on the show and it was an amazing experience getting to work and perform with some of my favourite artists and some of the biggest songwriters and producers from all around the world. It really has been life-changing and I’m very grateful to have been part of it all.
Was it difficult transitioning from being a van driver to a celebrity?
It was just all very surreal to be honest, and it sometimes still is! It’s quite a difference now from my van driving days! Though I still do a lot of driving.
You famously beat Fleur East on X Factor and I see that she’s on the same bill for the festival, are you on good terms with her or will she be hunting you down on site?
Hahaha! Not at all man, me and Fleur are all good! We’ve been on the same bill a good few times over the years, I’m a bit gutted that she’s not on the same day that I am this time as it would have been cool to catch up!
Are you a good cook? If so, please tell me your signature dish?
I’m no master chef but I make a mean moussaka.
You’re hosting a dinner party, what will you be preparing for your guests (Starter/Main/Dessert please)
I’m a big fan of spicy food so maybe something like…
Starter: prawn puri
Main: curry goat and rice
Dessert: lotus biscuit banoffee pie
A dinner party ain’t a party without guests, who will you be inviting? (can be dead or alive)
That’s a tough one... it’d be good to have someone there who made you laugh so maybe Lee Mac. Louis Theroux would probably have some interesting stories and maybe Rick Rubin.
Tell me who it was that got you interested in music in the first place?
My mum and dad used to play a lot of music, both had quite different tastes but I always remember music playing in the house when I was young and going to see live music with my dad. My uncle used to play guitar too, which me and my brother both always thought was pretty cool... so we got guitars and I guess it just started from there.
Do you remember your first musical purchase? Do you still have it?
Maybe I should lie, but I think it was actually ‘Stay Another Day’ by East 17 on a CD from HMV. I’m pretty sure it’s still around somewhere.
What is the funniest thing that has happened to you at a festival in the past?
Me and my mates’ tent completely blew away once at a festival in Bedford… we weren’t the only ones it happened to but I thought that was pretty funny.
The line-up for this year’s festival is very strong, who are you excited about seeing perform?
Razorlight will be awesome! I’ve always wanted to see them live so I'm really looking forward to that, and my mate Jay is in The Overtones so I’m looking forward to catching those boys too!
The festival takes place in Torquay, the heart of the English Riviera, did you ever visit as a kid? If so, please share any memories you have?
I’ve never been but I'm very much looking forward to it! It looks like a beautiful setting for a festival!
Lastly, what top tips would you offer anyone in order to survive a 3 day food and music festival?
Pace yourself, enjoy yourself and always check that a porta-loo has toilet paper first before fully committing to it.