The countdown is officially on for THIS THAT Sandstone Point happening on Saturday the 5th of March, and THIS THAT Newcastle, on Saturday the 12th of March and we don’t know who’s more excited, the punters or the artists themselves. Returning to Newcastle for its sixth year and to Queensland for the first time, THIS THAT has stayed true to its roots, delivering the best in party starter acts, epic headliners and that classic festival vibe we have all missed so much. With two stages full of the best Electronica , Hip Hop , Pop and Rock, in the country as well as ‘The Other District’, everyone is covered.

Singer - Songwriter and “pop prodigy”', Kota Banks is set to hit the THAT stage at both shows and she ecstatic to be back performing to live audiences especially in the outdoor festival environment she loves so much. MFA got the chance to ask Kota Banks some questions about THIS THAT, the preparation needed for a festival like THIS THAT and who else’s sets she is excited to see from the awesome lineup.

You have been announced as one of the Artists to perform at THIS THAT, happening in Newcastle and Sandstone Point this March, are you excited to be of this great Australian lineup?

Of course - it will be the first festival I’ve played in like… a year!

Is the preparation for an event like THIS THAT different to a regular show?

Definitely, I really wanted to up my live-show this year. I’ve played my songs so many times and so I’m working on making all the songs sound a little bit different - I want it to be a fresh experience for the audience.

“I’ve played my songs so many times and so I’m working on making all the songs sound a little bit different ”

— Kota Banks

What can we expect from your upcoming THIS THAT performances?

A very fun, wild performance, with some surprises and new songs!

Apart from your own, who's set are you most looking forward to seeing played at THIS THAT?

Hayden James is always a lit time, and I am completely OBSESSED with Wafia so definitely her! Sycco too, she’s amazing.

If you could collaborate with any artist from the THIS THAT line-up, who would it be and why?

Wafia, she’s so ethereal and amazing and writes incredible dreamy emotional pop songs.

“At this point I’m just so grateful to be playing a festival that I don’t think anything would really bother me. ”

— Kota Banks

What are the best and worst parts of being on a multi artist bill? Do egos ever get in the way?

Hm, I’m sure they do sometimes. At this point I’m just so grateful to be playing a festival that I don’t think anything would really bother me.

Do you enjoy playing festivals, being a part of that festival scene, and the atmosphere that comes along with it?

I do - it’s amazing because it’s like 10 concerts in one. I love being outside as well, and having music set the scene in that kind of atmosphere is really magical.

Do you find festivals present your music to new fans, or people who haven’t heard you before?

That’s always the hope! The goal is to have wanderers who have never heard of you pass through, and be able to engage them and make them a new fan.

What is your favourite song to perform from your back catalogue and why?

Hm, I think I’m It or Child. They’re both really dancy and fun and people always know the lyrics which makes me happy.

“Having a sea of people chant your lyrics, the adrenaline, it all is kind of the reason I love to perform. ”

— Kota Banks

Small intimate pub style gigs and big stadium events are obviously very different in the energy and audiences, which is easier to engage in with great crowd participation? Which do you prefer? Clubs or Stadiums?

Clubs are obviously really nice to build a sense of intimacy, and you can kind of pick people out and make eye contact and connect in that way. In a stadium I suppose you have to be a little bit clearer and more succinct, there’s less room for improvising. But I think I’d prefer a stadium! Having a sea of people chant your lyrics, the adrenaline, it all is kind of the reason I love to perform.

2020/21 have been years full of uncertainty and change, for some the year came as a blessing, for some a curse. How do you rate your Covid years?

Not very highly, lol. I highly doubt many musicians had a great time - a large part of our livelihood was taken away. But it was a great chance to work on new music and make the album so I suppose that was a really good and positive take away.

Are you glad to be getting back to performing in front of a real crowd?

No it will suck………….

Lol! No, I’m obviously ecstatic !

What's next for Kota Banks? What can fans look forward to in 2022 and beyond?

An album this year, and some really fun live shows :)