The View are ready to 'set the world alight' once more

But it's only when frontman Kyle Falconer ponders those soon-to-be-fateful nights in December that the momentous nature of the occasion becomes clear. This is not a band capitalising on their apex, they are setting up to go far beyond their previous heights – to take The View to a whole new level.

When they take to the stage at Glasgow's O2 Academy for an incredible four-day run later this month, they will herald the start of something unseen before. A truly new beginning.

"This is big," Falconer tells The Weekender: "It is definitely a big milestone for us. We were pretty confident about selling four nights. Some wanted to do The Hydro but I think we're better suited to the Academy – more of that atmosphere."

The singer continues: "We've sold out shows in Glasgow a load of times before, but four nights at the Academy is the most we have ever done. I think we are the only band to do four nights – it's a bit of a record there. We're the only band to play seven nights at King Tut's, so we've got that record and this record. We're going to need to put a show on at The Hydro soon."

Falconer has certainly been busy since the hiatus, releasing two solo albums and having a family. Both avenues have altered his perspective on so many things, but the prospect of linking up with the band again was always itching below the surface.

"When I first started up the solo stuff there was just the total freedom of creativity – you could do what you want, basically. At times it did feel good to do it all on my own…to get away from it all for a bit and do my own thing. But you do miss it. I started to miss having the band to feed off.

"Even when I played 'View songs on my own tour, it didn't feel the same without the other band members. In fact, with certain songs there are some routines that we do; some wee looks or some in-jokes and things like that.

"But, after a while, I just knew I wanted to get back playing in big leagues again – those big shows – with The View again. We're never really sure what the future holds, but, after these gigs, there will probably be some sort of tour and some festivals. But it's exciting."

This time next week, anticipation levels will be on the cusp of ignition. Dryburgh's finest on stage once again, before a sell-out crowd in Glasgow. It will be, for the band and fans alike, a landmark moment. A memory to savour. For this occasion was not guaranteed.

The history of The View is well-known. Launched into stardom as indie prodigies, the teenage upstarts etched their way into the Scottish music landscape with Hats Off to the Buskers in early 2007. Then, they toured. Relentlessly. All over the world. And the tales from the road could easily fill an outlandish Netflix series.

Which Bitch?, Bread and Circuses and Cheeky for a Reason then followed the debut LP, from 2009 to 2012. Huge festivals, shows in the US and Japan, The View had been able to maintain their status as a key piece of the scene for years. Ostensibly, the band could only scale new heights.

And then it started to unravel. Inch by inch, the thread began to pull. The 2015 album Ropewalk seemed to herald the beginning of the end. What followed was a period of head-spinning uncertainty where the future of the band began to look increasingly bleak.

As of last week, it has been five long years since The View last played a full show together. In that time, there was no assurance that the band would ever return. However, in that time, Falconer, Keiren Webster and Pete Reilly have become new men – a transformation that bodes well for the band's prospects. A catalyst for longevity, a more mature outlook is likely the very thing that saved The View.

Falconer says: "There is something about just being together as a band that makes the whole thing different. I would write and play a song one way, but being with them in the room just makes it a bit different than what I would. And, if Kieren has a song that he's written, I'll sing it the way he would have wanted it and not the way I might naturally do.

"You only get that from being in a band, working together. It's really hard to describe. But whatever it is, that's The View. And it's pretty cool."

SOLO WORK: Kyle Falconer performing at TRNSMT. Picture by Ryan Johnston

The road to this next chapter was laden with foreboding. Young souls catapulted to fame and acclaim is often a precursor for burn out and The View were no different. The Ropewalk era and those final days of touring were eye-opening for the group – both in and out of the industry. Matters were spiralling fast and if the band were to have any kind of future, they would have to do the unthinkable.

"Everyone was maybe a bit scared to talk about taking a break," Falconer reflects. "Music was our job, since we were kids.

"We all went to the same nursery, the same primary and the same high school; and we lived next to each other all our lives. And we never got jobs. We went from going around the old shops drinking cider to getting signed and going off to tour the world. That's been our life.

"There was never a falling out or anything, we just came to a point when we needed a break. At times, it felt like we were flogging a dead horse.

"Even the last album [Ropewalk] we recorded, with Albert Hammond Jr in Germany, I just did not feel good about my input. We were in Hamburg, we had really horrible weather, and I just remember it being a really bad period of my life. I was like a zombie – I wasn't in a good place, mentally, and I was in physically good shape either.

"In the end, that album got a good reception, but it didn't feel like us. I remember just thinking that it wasn't the kind of music I wanted to be doing. As a songwriter, I look back at the lyrics and think: 'What was I even saying? What does that mean?' I felt like a different person; like I was just outside my body, and I was feeding and oiling this thing.

"We just needed a break," he added. "Playing music was what we knew – this was the normal for all of us. We have always been in a band; always had a new album to work on; always had a tour coming up. So, we were all a bit unsure about taking time away. But it was absolutely the right move.

"We've all grown up a wee bit since. I went away and had three kids and released two solo albums – I know everyone else has done their own thing, and we're all in a place now where we are ready to set the world alight."

ON FIRE: The View are preparing to make their big stage return later this month. Picture by Bazza Mills

Frontman, singer, indie icon – Falconer is a man of many hats. But at his core, he is a songwriter. Indeed, his passion for the craft has only intensified over the years. He discovers more about himself every time he sits at the piano, every time he helps another artist find another gear. He lives to write songs and taking the last few years to explore where solo work can take him has been invigorating.

Falconer has worked with others in the past, including Luke la Volpe, and he admits to getting a real kick out of supporting the next generation coming through. The urge to collaborate was a key part of getting The View back on stage again, but it compels him on a daily basis. You never know what will come together in the room.

"That's the beauty of songwriting," Falconer adds. "Something always comes from a writing trip. And it could be two years down the line before you take that verse and turn it into a song. You just need that spark.

"When we were writing for that last album, there was no inspiration. I was just churning out whatever. But I think I understand songs more these days. Even though he had 'hits' before, I understand better now.

"I was blissfully ignorant to that when I was younger. I wish I just wrote songs all the time back then. Normally, it was a case of: 'We've got a new album to write' so we have to go away for a few weeks to get writing. Now, I just write whenever – sometimes I can't sleep because my head is just full of ideas, full of songs."

Earlier this year Falconer and friend Michael Ward launched a residential songwriting camp in Spain. The idea was that emerging bands would sign up, travel over and develop their skillset through tuition and workshops. La Sierra Casa held its inaugural sessions recently and welcomed a raft of talent from the Scottish music scene, including The Shambolics, PG Ciarletta, Grant Irvine, Cammy Barnes and Billy Mitchell.

It not only focuses on the songwriting aspects, it's proven to be an invaluable networking event for some as some attendees have since linked up and started playing music together. It's also a forum to discuss the bigger picture with guest speakers coming in the form of Rianne Downey and Alan McGee – who is also The View's manager.

The first get-together sold out in short measure, with two October camps also fully booked along with next April. Plans are also ongoing to build a studio on site.

"It's our wee haven," Falconer says. "It's been absolutely brilliant. Having the songwriting camps are a good way to put to use all the ideas I have in my head. If someone is not feeling too inspired, I can just go to the voice memos on say: 'Here, have this and start with that'. All those times when I have been going crazy in the middle of the night can become someone else's songs. That's pretty cool.

"We've already sold out four camps, it's crazy. A dream come true. We didn't think we'd sell any this year, but they're all sold out. And it's becoming a trend now, because people who were there already have signed on for the next camp.

"We get people of all levels of experience. Some have never written songs before but wanted to come and learn how to do it. A lot of prestigious songwriting camps don't allow that; they want you to be at a certain level before they'll have you. That's not us. If you want to come over and join in, then let's do it.

"And it's great to see what comes from it. One guy, who has been writing poems all his life and has never shown anyone before, he came over and said he wanted to learn how to put it to music. Now he's recorded five songs and he's absolutely buzzing. He's booked up again and he's away to learn an instrument for the next time.

"It's great when you get someone out of their comfort zone. Some people at these camps have never shown anyone their lyrics or their voice. Some have never played in a band – and a few have formed bands or have started rehearsals since the camps. It's so inspirational."

PERFORMER: Kyle Falconer on stage. Picture by Bazza Mills

Supporting the next generation of talent is important to Falconer and his bandmates. He remembers all too well what it's like to have established artists take an interest. Back in the day, The View toured alongside some of the biggest names in the business – the name on the poster goes a long way in getting the name out there and letting new audiences hear the music.

Being able to give a little back to emerging artists has been an integral facet of the songwriting camps, but The View have a little more to give. Indeed, a total of eight bands will provide the support for the four massive Glasgow shows this month – with seven of those emerging from the Scottish music scene.

Red Rum Club, Daytime TV, Shambolics, The Roly Mo, Rianne Downey, SLIX, Retro Video Club and Parliamo will benefit hugely from the chance to play before a sell-out crowd. In the near future, it is entirely possible that each of these acts could look back on the O2 Academy Shows in December, 2022, as their big break.

"That's what it's all about," Falconer says. "But that's how it works – you give bands a wee leggy-up. It was the same for ourselves. Primal Scream were like our 'Tour Dads' when we were younger. They taught us a lot.

"I'm good pals with Rianne Downey and The Shambolics, and. Parliamo, from Perth, they're great. They'll all be great nights. Red Rum Club are one of my new favourite bands. I was speaking to one of the lads the other day and they were saying how they thought The View would never be back and they'd never have the chance to see them again… and now they are supporting us. And it's on the first night as well – one of them has a birthday that night too, so they've going to be having a massive a party. I was like: 'I'll no be having a massive party; I'm going back to the hotel and to my bed or else the three other shows will not be going ahead'."

With a new era of playing comes new opportunities. Falconer is all-too aware that The View's fanbase will be a little older now than when they were on top. With that comes new challenges.

But if they can tap into another wave of young music fans, those who follow bands that had been inspired by The View, then the stage is set for a revival like no other.

Falconer adds: "Do you know what I am really looking forward to? The younger generation getting into The View. It's funny, there was a wee guy talking to us the other night in the bar and he said The View is his dad's favourite band – I was like: 'Jesus Christ… how old are you?' And he says '22'.

"If we get it right, we will be able to get a whole new younger generation audience. From there we can just spread word and start all over again really."

The View have their work cut out if they are to regain their status as one of the biggest acts in the UK live scene once again. But with four nights in Glasgow to springboard them into the new year, they have the best chance of finding themselves "on fire" once again.