heretics. 582. I Toured With Monster Ian Watkins - Josh Friend (Modestep)
Oct 20, 2025
Josh Friend, frontman of Modestep and a touring musician, shares eye-opening stories from his time with Lostprophets and their controversial frontman, Ian Watkins. He discusses the unsettling atmosphere on tour, the subtle red flags he noticed, and the dark side of fame that lets abusers thrive in the industry. Josh reflects on industry cover-ups, the pressure on musicians to conform, and the rise of AI in music creation. With insights on today's troubling figures and the future of music, this conversation is both revealing and thought-provoking.
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Touring With Lostprophets Felt Off
- Josh Friend describes touring with Lostprophets in 2011 and noticing an immediately tense, weird atmosphere.
- He recalls Ian Watkins being absent from soundchecks, heavily drugged, and interacting with him only once by saying "everything's going to be all right."
Watkins Kept Separate And Erratic On Stage
- Josh recounts Ian Watkins often being chauffeured, kept separate, and failing to perform properly on stage.
- He remembers Watkins sometimes sitting or lying on stage in a parka and sunglasses while the band played around him.
Support Act Barred After Final Show
- By the tour's end relations had soured and the Lostprophets' tour manager ordered Modestep to leave after their set.
- Josh links that exclusion to the wider divisions caused by Watkins' presence and band's internal tensions.