"Madison Square Garden Would Be My Ultimate Dream Gig, For Sure" - MTV Meets MNEK

MNEK already has a long list of star-studded collaborations under his belt, so it's no wonder he's the name on everyone's lips. 

With new single 'Never Forget You', featuring Swedish singer Zara Larsson, due to be released on August 21 he's hotter than ever.

We caught up with the 20-year-old singer/songwriter/producer/ultimate music whizz after his set at Boardmasters to chat festival season (he'll be joining us at V Festival this weekend), his ultimate dream gig and that debut album we're all still waiting for...

You’ve literally just come off stage at Boardmasters Festival, how was your show?

“The show was really awesome, I really enjoyed the crowd they were loads of fun and were really participating. I was trying some new stuff on stage today as far as choreography and arrangements of the songs, and I really enjoyed it, it was a great show.”

You’re here in Newquay in Cornwall today, have you been this far south before?

“Never!”

How’re you finding it?

“I like it! Everyone’s really lovely and the weather’s awesome. I can’t complain there. It’s very picturesque.”

You must have already had a pretty busy festival season so far and you’ve still got some more to go, how’s it been for you and what’s been your highlight?

“I’ve really enjoyed it, I love performing, any opportunity I get to sing live and dance around on stage with my band I’m like “hello, let’s do that!” My highlight has been going around to all these different places and seeing people react to the songs in different ways. That’s where I get my buzz, from seeing such an instant reaction from the crowd.”

What’s on your iTunes that people wouldn’t expect?

“Erm, that’s a tough one because I think my tastes in music are so varied. I’ve never shied away from the fact that I love all kinds of music. So, it would probably be Tatu ‘Not Gonna Get Us’.”

Amazing, what a tune.

“It is a serious tune.”

What would be your ultimate dream gig?

“Madison Square Garden. That would be my ultimate gig for sure. I would love that!”

It could be soon!

“Let’s find out, let’s see how these ones go.”

In the last couple of years you’ve been branded as an ‘up and coming act’, who are you currently listening to that’s new and fresh?

“I tell you what, the one thing I love about my job is that I get to be friends with people who I’m actually fans of. My best friends are all people that I admire and really look up to and are great up and coming talents. There’s people like Leo Kalyan, Becky Hill, Shy Love, K Stewart, XO, who’re all super talented.”

You’re also quite the collaborator, and with Bastille headlining Boardmasters, an act you’ve collaborated with in the past, is there anyone that would be your dream collaboration?

“I say Janet [Jackson] for this question, every time. Sure, Janet would be my dream collaboration, but the truth is, I love not knowing and not having any expectations. If I get an email from my manager saying ‘do you wanna work with this person?’ and it’s someone that I’ve never even thought of, or a new person, I get excited about that. I’m really excited to work with new people all the time.”

My final question, what is next for MNEK? Where do you see your journey going?

“So I’m working on my album. I’ve been writing that for a while now…”

Yeah, us longer term fans are waiting for it!

“Eek, give us a second, sorry! I’m just still growing, I think with a lot of the songs there are push backs and in that time I’m coming up with new songs, and developing and growing up! Songs get omitted, songs get put in. So, album, in progress, that’s happening.”

“I’ve got a new single coming out in September which is a duet with Zara Larsson and I’m really excited about that. I performed the song today by myself. We shot the video back in June in Iceland and it was awesome. It’s in the vaults ready to come out. And more shows and more growing up to do.”

MNEK will be performing in the Sure Arena at V Festival this weekend (Saturday 22nd August at Hylands Park and Sunday 23rd August at Weston Park).

- By Megan Downing