If there's someone who knows about working and performing out on the open road, it's BENEE. The Auckland artist has been hard at work supporting Wallows on their North American leg of their world tour and she will soon return back to our shows supporting Olivia Rodrigo in October. To tide you over until then, BENEE has released a brand-spanking-new single, "Sad Boiii", which you can listen to below. 

We were lucky enough to grab a quick chinwag with BENEE, who gave us all the deets on performing alongside Wallows, the highs and lows of tour life and some of her favourite fits she rocked on the American stage. 

Welcome to the new Benee set! This banner is such a sick new addition to the stage. I worked on it with two of my close friends and creative directors Adam Alonzo and Emma Berson to make sure it represented some of the themes of my new music. It’s all about maximalism, nature, fingers crossed cue, energetic, industrial, cheeky, sparkly, electronic, grunge, Beetlejuice, self-hate and self-love all at the same time.

Where was your favourite place to perform and why? LA is pretty special. I am based there now, so all my friends came to the show and it felt a bit like a homecoming show. It was also the last stop of the tour which was pretty emotional!

I also have the post-tour blues; I’ll miss touring with this group. All the Wallows boys and crew have been so accommodating and kind to us so it’s been such a pleasure being on the road with them. 

What’s your favourite on-the-road snack? I love watermelon. I’m very grateful that it was in season during this tour! Also, pistachios and popcorn!

How do you get over the pre-stage jitters? The more you perform the easier it gets to be honest! I think you really just learn to adapt and work with different crowds. You really adapt too, not just to new environments on tour but also new crowds, trying to keep them entertained and putting on the best show! Sometimes I think I might be so nervous that I blank in the head until I go on, and when I sing I feel so confident up there. 

Tour glam time! I do my own glam on tour, and love having fun with it. I used this time to decompress and prepare before starting the show. It would be a dream to have a glam squad on tour one day.

What was the most memorable experience being on this tour? Performing in Maddison Square Garden in New York was pretty epic, it was a real bucket-list moment! Also Montreal, the crowd was so much fun. It really varies especially being a support artist, since you’re new to these people, but they made us feel super-comfortable.

What’s your favourite song to perform live and why? I’m really enjoying "Sad Boiii" at the moment. Performing new music is always fun and seeing how fans react to it. Also, a song I have that’s currently unreleased: "Animal".

Tour wardrobe!!!! All my clothes, shoes, accessories, live in this huge trunk that we wheel in and out of each venue. It’s such a dream to have it all in there instead of living out of a suitcase.

Best and worst bits about touring? Best is hanging out with the crew. The worst is being away from home, from my bed, my friends and the everyday comforts.

What did you get up to when you had some free time? I love to go thrifting in new cities, find new cool stores and dig for treasures.

What advice would you give to musos hitting the road for the first time? Get out there and explore every new place you perform at and try to enjoy the experience. Also exercise! That is so important on the road too. 

What’s the first thing you do when you get home? Get into bed and have the best night sleep ever!