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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Lifestyle
Camille Chorley

Beta Band’s Steve Mason spent 12 years writing memoir he feared ‘read like a primary school essay’

Beta Band frontman Steve Mason has revealed he spent 12 years writing his memoir, Failure is Always an Option, while worrying much of that time that it read “like a primary school essay”.

Ahead of the band's appearance at Latitude Festival this summer, Mason also rejected the “cult genius” tag that has followed him throughout his career, saying it was never something he set out to achieve.

The memoir recounts a series of stories from the band's rise, including a prank involving a fake visit from Michael Jackson to Rockfield Studios.

Mason also told broadcaster Shaun Keaveny that the group once turned down a $1 million car advertising deal.

Latitude Festival 2026 takes place 23-26 July at Henham Park, Suffolk. Tickets are available at latitudefestival.com

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