Stubbington drummer who tours the world with Foxes says he's got the '˜best job in the world'

Ben Kennedy, the Foxes drummer at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey Picture: Dileep Kaluaratchie

He’s the drummer for pop act Foxes, has toured all over the world, visiting countries such as Australia and Japan, performed to 100,000 people in sold-out arena shows and has just spent the past month touring the United States with Coldplay.

Raised in Stubbington, the 30-year-old musician has had a whirlwind 10 years.

‘It’s pretty amazing if I really think about,’ says Ben.

‘I never thought I would be able to get to this point where I can say that I’ve seen the world and have played so many incredible shows.

‘It really does feel like I’ve got the best job in the world.’

Ben went to Crofton School in Stubbington before attending the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford.

After graduating, he became a session drummer which is when he met Foxes – real name Louisa Allen – from Southampton when she was recording her debut album Youth in 2011.

He then joined her touring band, playing music across the world.

Ben got his wish of a lifetime granted earlier this year when Coldplay invited Foxes’ band on their stadium tour across the United States.

Ben said: ‘We were thrilled to be invited on tour with them.

‘Just getting to see them play every night was great as they put on such a phenomenal show with all the pyrotechnics.

‘They are the best I’ve ever seen and are such an inspiration.’

Ben and his fellow eight-man band were invited for the whole of the British group’s Stateside tour but had to return due to a string of festival gigs they have planned later this summer.

He added: ‘They were such a nice group of guys and they came to hang out with a couple of times. It was just such a great experience.’

Ben added that he has become ‘good friends’ with Foxes over the years.

The 30-year-old added: ‘She is great fun to be around.

‘She’s full of energy and is a lovely girl so she’s really a pleasure to tour with.’

Ben is set to be on the road for the foreseeable future after the group played to a packed-out crowd at Boardmasters in Cornwall last week and are set to perform at V Festival in Chelmsford this weekend.

Ben said the key to any aspiring drummer to securing their dream is to ‘work hard’.

He added: ‘You have to want it more than anything. Work hard and give it all you’ve got.’