On their latest release, Light Up, Solstice are continuing the trilogy they began on their 2020 comeback album, Sia. With an armful of new tunes and their current line-up fully ensconced, founding guitarist Andy Glass discusses creative freedom, the joy of playing live and finding the motivation to keep carrying on.

Words: Rich Wilson

All together now: Solstice unite to LightUp the room.

Images: Laurent Veigal

After 40 years, most bands’ creative conduits are starting to falter. Cue albums carelessly cobbled together with filler and releases that are pitiful imitations of earlier halcyon days. Yet Solstice appear to be regenerating with a musical vigour that’s surprising both their fanbase and band alike.

“It’s extraordinary and feels like a complete rebirth,” says guitarist and founding member Andy Glass. “It really feels like a new band. We had our heyday in the early 80s and we’ve just done the odd album ever since. But I kept it going here and there, so for this to be happening again is just amazing.”

Glass makes an astute point. Since their 1984 debut, Silent Dance, they’ve averaged a long-player every five years, with sporadic live appearances placing a tangible doubt on their commitment. But since 2020’s Sia, the desire to record and perform live has returned. This sudden burst of inspiration was ignited by the line-up changes that occurred in 2019, as Glass explains.