Steve Mason on cult fame, failures and a very famous glove

The Beta Band frontman spent twelve years writing a memoir, worrying for most of them that it read like a primary school essay. Ahead of the band's Latitude Festival appearance this summer, Mason is dismissive of the cult genius label he's carried for three decades: "I don't think anyone starts out with that intention." The book, Failure is Always an Option, is out now. Among its highlights is the story of convincing Rockfield Studios that Michael Jackson was visiting, his arrival announced by a "diamante glove" emerging from a slowly passing limo. He also reveals the band once turned down a million dollars for a car advert, a decision he admits he would not make today. Latitude Festival 2026 takes place 23-26 July at Henham Park, Suffolk. Tickets are available at latitudefestival.com Watch more on Independent TV: https://tinyurl.com/yc7ukx9n The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. Subscribe: https://bit.ly/Subscribe-to-Independent Find us on social: TikTok / https://www.tiktok.com/@independent Instagram / https://www.instagram.com/the.independent/ X (Twitter) / https://twitter.com/Independent Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/TheIndependentOnline Download the iOS & Android app: https://tinyurl.com/2s3ts5dh Sign up to our newsletters: https://tinyurl.com/2bmw565x Help to support truly independent journalism. Every dollar you contribute will directly fund additional special reports and investigations from a free-thinking, award-winning newsroom you can trust: https://www.independent.co.uk/donations