New Music
Interview
Arthur Hill: “Wembley wasn’t the goal – I’ll always want more”
As he prepares to headline one of the UK's mightiest venues, we sit down with the singer and social media star on the rise
We’re barely ten weeks into 2026 and funky indie rocker Arthur Hill has already headlined gigs across New Zealand and Australia as well as touring the United States supporting electro emo star Ruel. This weekend, he’ll become the first act to ever headline Wembley Arena without releasing a debut album… maybe. He’s been too busy to factcheck the claim in all honesty. “Because I’ve been away so much this year, the Wembley gig has always felt really far away,” Hill explains. He starts rehearsals later today. “I’m feeling really excited but I’m sure the nerves will come later.”
Growing up, Hill was never short of confidence and wanted to be a comedian, an actor and a screenwriter. At one point, he started doing impressions of other singers on TikTok (it’s how he ended up in bed with James Blunt) and started writing songs of his own after falling in love. Sincere, earnest debut single Tiny House was released in 2022 and a string of more heartbroken indie pop tracks soon followed. Last year, he released a pair of playful EPs that properly introduced fans to the emotional, electric world of Arthur Hill. “I think, without sounding like the worst person in the world, Wembley probably wasn’t the goal. I’ll always be greedy and want more,” he grins. ”But for it to happen so soon is definitely not what anyone expected.”
You’ve tried your hand at lots of different things – what was it about music that kept you hooked?
It’s the songwriting. Knowing a song is good is one of the best feelings in the world. The only thing that’s better is performing it live. Hearing something you’ve written sung back to you is a high that doesn’t compare to anything else. Even if I told the best joke in the world at Wembley Arena and loads of people laughed, it wouldn’t have the same meaning.
Who did you grow up listening to?
I wish I had really niche answers for this, but basically just the most obvious superstars ever. The first CD I remember listening to was Elvis’ greatest hits. There’s a video of me and my dad dancing to it when I’m six years old. I moved on to Queen and Michael Jackson after that. I got obsessed with Dean Martin and The Rat Pack when I was 16. I learned that Frank Sinatra was involved with the Mafia and that was really exciting – I tried to make that happen for me when I was in New York but they weren’t interested sadly. My mum was really into her musical theatre and I’m starting to realise the storytelling in those has been such a big inspiration on what I do. I’m really into Harry Styles and Role Model at the moment. I’ve got pretty good taste in terms of heroes.
What are your favourite musicals?
I saw Waitress again recently and that’s still so good. My mum was actually in Les Mes in the West End in the ‘80s and I finally saw that last year and it’s just incredible. It’s the best story ever told. I need to see Paddington because I’m obsessed with the movies and he looks like the cutest thing in the world. I’d love to write a musical, be in it… make it all about me basically
You released two EPs last year. What inspired In The Middle Of Somewhere and Missed Again?
I was still finding my sound on In The Middle Of Somewhere. There’s more of a consistent sonic feeling on Missed Again. It’s a groovy, dancing, driving EP that’s about specific moments in my life. In The Middle Of Somewhere is more of a daytime record, that was written about different phases. I’m really happy with how both those EPs came out but hopefully no one is expecting me to release four this year.
A lot’s been said about your vulnerable, emotional lyrics being the antidote to toxic masculinity...
Weirdly, there’s no intention with the lyrics. I purely write about what I’m feeling. I did an interview for the Channel 4 news just before I headlined Brixton at the end of last year and was asked about how She’s So Handsome has become a lesbian anthem, and if I’m a spiritual lesbian. I’m definitely not doing it intentionally and I don’t want to steal anything from anyone, but I’ll embrace it.
But it seems people are being drawn to vulnerable, candid artists such as yourself and Sombr.
We’re quite a sensitive generation in general and I’m so here for it. Let’s not bottle stuff up. Whether it’s me writing about it in a song or someone else going to therapy or writing in a diary, it’s good to be in touch with how you’re feeling and have a way to let those emotions out. If my music can help others express how they’re feeling, that’s great too.
Your early songs were very serious but it feels like there’s more of a sense of humour in recent tracks.
I was a little bit worried about being seen as a serious musician at the start, and to an extent, I still am but seeing how the music connects with the audience and how much they’re willing to dance, it definitely gives me more confidence to be a bit more wacky. There’s more confidence in the songwriting too. Onstage, I’m definitely a more elevated version of myself as well. It’s such a buzz.
Your music gives you a chance to process what’s happening in your life. What do you hope other people get from it?
It’s the same thing as the live show really. If they’re feeling down, I hope my music can cheer them up. Or if they want to feel worse, it can do that too because I know I’m such a sucker for dwelling in that sadness for as long as I can.
What’s the vibe of an Arthur Hill gig?
It’s the best show ever, but only half of that is down to me. The other half is the crowd. If you’re going to come, you can’t be boring. You have to bring the energy, a sparkly outfit and maybe a cowboy hat. I’ll mostly be dancing around a bit like an idiot but somehow getting away with it. I’ll also sing songs that will make you groove and bop your head while occasionally a tune will get you right in your feels and you’ll reevaluate everything. With social media and everything, there’s always this anxiety that someone is watching you but everyone just lets go at my shows. Seeing that happen is the most special thing.
Speaking of special… anything lined up for Wembley?
We’re trying to maximize the venue’s potential. We’ve got a whole new stage set up from the last tour and we’ve rearranged a lot of the songs. We’ve got horns, backing vocalists and we’re going to use the screens for some funny moments.
And after that?
I haven’t been writing much because we’ve been away, but I’ve been banking a lot. My notes app is full of song title ideas and subjects I want to talk about. I’m really excited to get writing. It’s going to be free therapy. When the shows get even bigger, I’d like it to be a proper show. I want it to be a real spectacle. Maybe we’ll get to the point where my gig just becomes the musical. This is as excited as I’ve ever been about where my career is going. It’s a little scary though… after you do Wembley, where do you go?
Considering the podcasts and the viral videos, does it feel like you’ve got anything to prove with what comes next?
Big time. I know my live show is amazing but I’m still obsessed with the fact we haven’t gotten close to a Top 40 song yet. I want that. I want a No.1 album. I want to push this as far as it will go.
What’s the benchmark of a really great debut album?
Mine won’t sound anything like this, but obviously Harry Styles’ first album was so good. He also had that thing where he was going solo after being in a boyband and was coming out of this image the world had of him. It was proof he could stand on his own, so that’s a big inspiration for me.
Does it feel like the world needs a bit more fun at the moment?
Absolutely. I’m in this weird place where I’m so excited about what I’m doing and what comes next, but I’m also the most scared I ever have been about the world in general. When I start writing later this month, I really want to think about how I can help people escape whatever hell we’re in right now, in the best way possible. I want that to be behind the music, the visuals and everything. I want to build a world with chords and melodies, and it needs to be better than the one we’re living in right now.
Find tickets to Arthur Hill’s show at OVO Arena Wembley on Saturday 14 March here
