'Some records just endure,' The Proclaimers say

News imageBBC Charlie and Craig Reed of The Proclaimers. Twin men with glasses BBC
The Proclaimers are headlining Guildford festival, which returns to Stoke Park on 4-5 July

The Proclaimers say their famous hit I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) has grown far beyond its original success.

Speaking to BBC Radio Surrey ahead of Guilfest, band member Charlie Reid joked the furthest he had ever walked was "about 20 miles", adding "that was enough for me".

The Scottish twins, who released their debut album almost four decades ago, were expected to close the Guildford festival, which returned to Stoke Park on 4-5 July.

Reid added: "Some records, I don't know what it is, they just endure in the way that others don't."

Now both aged 64, the brothers say their new album will reflect on getting older as well as wider social themes.

Reid said: "The aging process… it makes you think about the future and the past as well," adding that the album would also include "some social commentary songs" alongside lighter material.

Despite decades in the industry, he insisted performing was about more than making a living.

"It's the reason to be," he said. "It's what we do and we love doing it."

News imageTwins Craig and Charlie Reed remake infamous album cover where they look at each other face on
Edinburgh twins Craig and Charlie Reid released The Proclaimers' first album in 1987

Reid says festivals present a different challenge because audiences may not have come specifically to see them.

"You want to make the best impression you can… and keep it upbeat," he said.

While many artists now record music digitally, the band still prefers a traditional studio approach.

"We like eyeballing everyone when we're doing the recording," Reid said. "We're old guys - we like to do it the old fashioned way."

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