David Gedge, founder and songwriter of The Wedding Present, sits down with Paul Cashmere for an in-depth conversation marking 40 years of one of Britain’s most influential alternative bands.
In this wide-ranging interview, Gedge reflects on the origins of The Wedding Present, revealing how Melbourne post-punk icons The Birthday Party directly inspired the band’s name. He discusses his admiration for Nick Cave, the parallel evolution of UK and Australian underground music scenes, and why Australia has always felt like unfinished business for the band.
Gedge also explains why The Wedding Present has never stood still. With over 300 songs in the catalogue and countless lineup changes since 1985, he describes the band as “six different groups” united by a shared ethos of reinvention. That philosophy underpins recent releases including Maxi, a six-track companion piece to 1996’s Mini, and the ambitious 12 Singles In 12 Months revival in 2022.
The conversation dives deep into live performance, from curating a 40th anniversary set list in reverse chronological order to opening shows with new material and reinterpreting older songs with each new lineup. Gedge also confirms plans to perform
Sea Monsters in full for its 35th anniversary, describing the album as a single, intense piece of music divided into movements.
Finally, Gedge addresses the long wait for The Wedding Present’s return to Australia, explaining the realities of touring and why early 2027 is shaping up as a possible window.
This is a thoughtful, candid discussion about longevity, creativity and why The Wedding Present continues to evolve four decades on.
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