WHEN Guitarist Dan Hipgrave talks about Toploader’s journey, from local hopefuls to one of Britain’s most recognisable bands, one place keeps coming up – Eastbourne.
It’s where the friendships were formed, where the songs were written, and where the belief, however uncertain at times, began to take shape.
Dan takes some time out from preparing for the homecoming gig, and speaks to Editor, Paul Gibson, from his studio…
Now, almost three decades after breaking into the charts, Toploader are returning to the town for a Bank Holiday performance at the Bandstand, a show that, for Hipgrave, carries a significance far beyond the usual tour date.
He explained: “It genuinely does feel like a homecoming. You play all over the country, all over the world, but when you come back to Eastbourne, there’s something different about it. There’s a familiarity, a sense of history, you’re not just turning up to play a gig, you’re coming back to where it all began.”
Growing up in Eastbourne and finding a sound
Before the charts, before the global recognition, before Dancing in the Moonlight became a cultural mainstay, Toploader were simply a group of young musicians navigating life in Eastbourne.
Hipgrave speaks about those early years with a mixture of fondness and realism, a time when ambition was high, but the path ahead was anything but clear.
“We were just trying to figure things out, really. We all had this shared love of music, and we knew we wanted to do something with it, but there wasn’t some big masterplan. It was just about playing, writing, improving and hoping something might come of it.”
Eastbourne itself played a crucial role in shaping that journey. The town’s venues, social scene and close-knit feel created the kind of environment where ideas could grow.
“There was a proper local scene back then. Places like TJ’s and The Rainbow, the pubs were more than just places to go out. They were where you met people, where you talked about music, where you saw bands. It all feeds into your development without you even realising it at the time.”
Dan reflected on his background in Eastbourne: “When you’re young, you don’t necessarily appreciate how important that is. But looking back, those places, those nights, those conversations they all played a part in shaping what we became.”
Writing songs in small rooms and dreaming big
For Toploader, the early creative process was far from glamorous.
Hipgrave recalls long hours spent writing and experimenting in modest surroundings, including shared living spaces where the band would develop ideas that would eventually reach a global audience.
“We had a flat in Eastbourne where a lot of the early stuff came together. It wasn’t anything special, just a place where we could sit, play, write and bounce ideas around. But those are the moments that matter.
“There was no guarantee of success, no clear pathway just persistence.
“You’re doing it because you love it. You’re not thinking, ‘This is going to sell millions of records.’ You’re thinking, ‘This sounds good, let’s keep working on it.’ It’s quite pure in that sense.”
“I think we all believed, deep down, that we could do something. You have to have that belief, otherwise you wouldn’t keep going. But it’s a fragile thing at that stage, you’re constantly questioning whether it’s realistic.”
The breakthrough and life-changing overnight
That question was emphatically answered when Dancing in the Moonlight exploded into the charts.
For Hipgrave, the memory of that moment remains vivid, not just for its scale, but for how quickly everything changed.
He said: “It was surreal. One minute you’re playing smaller venues, doing your thing, and the next you’re hearing your song everywhere. It’s on the radio, it’s in shops, people are talking about it, it’s quite overwhelming.”
The transition from local band to national, and then an international act, was rapid.
“You don’t really get time to process it. You’re suddenly doing interviews, travelling, playing bigger and bigger shows. It’s exciting, but it’s also a bit of a whirlwind.”
Even in the middle of that whirlwind, Eastbourne remained a grounding force.
“You always carry that with you. Where you came from, the people you started with that doesn’t go away just because things have taken off.”
Two billion streams and a new generation
Fast forward to today, and Toploader’s music continues to reach audiences in ways that would have been unimaginable when they first started out.
The band have now surpassed two billion streams on Spotify, a milestone that reflects not only their enduring popularity but also their ability to connect with new listeners.
Hipgrave admits: “It’s quite hard to get your head around, to be honest. When we started, it was all about CDs, radio play, live gigs – streaming wasn’t even part of the conversation.”
“To think that something you wrote years ago is still being discovered, still being listened to all over the world – it’s incredible.”
But for Hipgrave, the number itself is only part of the story.
“What it really means is that the music has lasted. It’s not just a moment in time, it’s something people keep coming back to, and new people keep finding.”
That continued relevance is something he doesn’t take for granted.
“The industry has changed massively. But if people are still connecting with the songs, that’s the most important thing.”
Staying together and staying true
Longevity in the music industry is rare, and Hipgrave is candid about the challenges that come with it.
“Being in a band for this long, you go through everything. Highs, lows, changes in the industry, changes in your own lives, it’s not always straightforward.”
So I asked what’s kept Toploader going for almost thirty years?
Dan replied: “A combination of things. There’s the music itself – that still matters to us. There’s the live side of it, we love playing. And there are the relationships within the band. You have to work at that.
“You learn over time how to navigate things better. When you’re younger, everything feels more intense. As you get older, you get a bit more perspective.
“We still care about what we’re doing. If that wasn’t the case, we wouldn’t still be here.”
The Bandstand return more than just a gig
All of that history, all of that experience, feeds into what promises to be a standout moment in the band’s calendar – their return to the Eastbourne Bandstand.
Set against the seafront, the venue is one of the town’s most recognisable landmarks and one that holds particular resonance for a band that grew up nearby.
“It’s a brilliant setting. There’s something about being by the sea, playing outdoors, that just creates a different kind of atmosphere.
“You know there’ll be people there who’ve followed the band from the early days. People who remember those venues, those times. That creates a connection you don’t always get elsewhere.”
The gig at the Bandstand sold out in under a week, according to Dan.
He adds: “It does feel different playing at home. There’s a sense of pride, but also a bit of nostalgia. You’re aware of the journey that’s brought you back there.”
What fans can expect on the day
With the show expected to draw a sell-out crowd, anticipation is already building and Hipgrave is clear about what audiences can look forward to.
“It’ll be a proper Toploader show. Lots of energy, lots of positivity, we want people to have a great time.”
That means a set packed with familiar favourites, as well as moments that reflect the band’s evolution.
“We know what people want to hear,. But we also want to give them a full experience, something that feels like a proper event.
“Yes, Dancing in the Moonlight will be there! That’s always a special moment. When everyone’s singing along, you can feel it, it’s a shared experience. That never gets old.”
As the conversation drew to a close, Hipgrave reflected on our conversation about Eastbourne. He said: “You’ve got me all nostalgic now. I still have family in Eastbourne, so I always enjoy coming back and seeing the town.”
“Our record label put us all in a house in a London suburb when they signed us, but for me, I always missed Eastbourne.”
Toploader will perform at the iconic seafront venue on Monday, 25 May, with music starting at 1.30pm with support from DJ Fergus, before they take to the stage.
