Interviewee:

Roy Marques, a photographer from Toronto, ON. 

Canadian Society of Cinematographers, Associate

Life Member. Member of the Courtney Park Literary

Circle & George Lucas Educational Foundation. 

Editor's Note

This interview is part of the first installment of QAF Narrative's interview series. The views and opinions expressed by interviewees are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of QAF Narrative.

I should mention that this was the first interview in what I hope will become a long series of conversations for QAF Narrative.

When I first exchanged emails with Roy Marques, I quickly realized that he had been following Echo & The Bunnymen for many years, far beyond the level of an ordinary fan. The band is a well-known and highly regarded English rock group that has performed numerous concerts in Canada, including several appearances in Toronto.

A photographer and visual artist by profession, Roy has devoted much of his creative life to images and visual storytelling. Over the years, his interest in Echo & The Bunnymen evolved into a long-term project of documenting the band's concerts, their connection with audiences, and the community of fans that has grown around them. Through his photographs and observations, he has witnessed not only the performances themselves but also the relationships, memories, and shared experiences that continue to bring people together through music. Yet music has occupied an equally meaningful place in his life. Listening to him speak, it became clear that art, memory, family, and music are deeply intertwined in the way he understands the world. His reflections often returned to his parents, to moments preserved through photographs, and to the role that music plays in keeping memories alive.

We agreed to meet in person.

Leaving behind the traffic and noise of downtown Toronto, I made my way to the relative calm of Mississauga. When I arrived at the Tim Hortons inside Mississauga Central Library, something amusing happened. Roy and I were seated only a short distance apart, yet we were emailing back and forth, each waiting for the other to arrive. It took a couple of messages before we finally looked up, turned our heads, and realized that we had been sitting almost side by side the entire time.

It was my first meeting with a man wearing a stylish pair of sunglasses, ready to share stories from years of following the band's tours in Toronto. I was eager to learn more.

What follows is drawn from both our conversation and our email exchanges. Together, they offer a glimpse into Echo & The Bunnymen's enduring relationship with Toronto and the community of listeners that has gathered around the band over the years.

Roy is currently working on a documentary about the band.

Yaser Fara

QAF Narrative

Yaser:

Before we talk about Echo & The Bunnymen, I'd love to hear your story. How did you first discover the band, and what drew you to their music?

Roy:

I was aware of Echo by grade 10 in high school. Also, CFNY FM played their music in heavy rotation, which rarely ever hurts. Always listened to English pop music. My parents were avid record collectors, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, etc., 45 rpm singles & LPs. Album photography & liner notes left an indelible impression on me as I was growing up.

I grew up with music through my father, Saul Marques, who organized fundraisers for the Portuguese community, featuring musical acts and actors from Lisbon, the United States, and Montreal. He passed away at the age of 95 on March 9, 2026. He was a major inspiration for my career as a director of photography.

My mother, Maria Marques, sang in the choir at the local parish. Musically Echo have a style of their own, dark, forbidding and romantic lyrics from Ian McCulloch with brilliant riffs by Will Sergeant—an underlying sadness with Liverpudlian humour.

Yaser:

You've been covering Echo & The Bunnymen since 2007. What inspired you to start documenting their concerts, tours, and fan community, and what has kept you engaged all these years?

Roy:

Always felt that the fans have a story of their own that gets neglected. A few hardcore fans are interesting because of their interactions with one another and their devotion to the group's members. Some are quite dedicated to the point of obsession, which can be disturbing at times. There have been a few fights at venues or attacks on the tour bus, out of desperation, because they were not getting items signed. Also have live clips and band interviews that will eventually be edited for a documentary. Frankly, if it wasn’t for Will Sergeant allowing me access to the Toronto gigs, I wouldn’t be sharing this story with your publication. I’m blessed with his friendship, along with band management during their tours in Toronto.

Yaser:

What is one moment from your years following the band that best captures the relationship between Echo & The Bunnymen and their audience?

Roy:

The Q.E. Theatre concert in 2022 was memorable; it was great interviewing Ian McCulloch after the gig. He was in a better headspace back then, more relaxed during the tour. I hope his health improves. It’s sad to see him not at his best this tour. “Is there a doctor in the house? Too many ciggies, too many interviews,” as Ian once said during the concert. The rock-and-roll lifestyle is not for the faint of heart. The central nervous system can only take so much abuse.

Yaser:

How have Toronto fans responded to Echo & The Bunnymen over the years, and is there anything unique about the band's connection with audiences in Toronto?

Roy:

The Toronto fans are a passionate, articulate group of individuals. It’s good to see a mix of ages and sexes enjoying the band. I think age brings a certain amount of clarity; the lyrics have a different meaning, but the spirit remains

youthful, despite the aging process. Will stated, “We really don’t play too much in Canada, mainly Toronto, Vancouver & Montreal.” It has been two years since The Bunnymen played Toronto. The venues sell out, great to see them play smaller clubs. Like The Carlu & Phoenix Concert Theatre.

Yaser:

Looking back at the performances you've attended, which concert stands out as the most memorable and why?

Roy:

The Ocean Rain tour with orchestra at the Q.E. Theatre, Sept 10, 2022. It was amazing to witness. Great sound & vocals from Ian. Good fan turnout, access to the band left a memorable impression during this tour. Gordy Goudie, another session guitarist who enjoys talking with fans.“But then, God made Scots number one,” as he once said during the tour. Scottish rhythm guitarist Gordon Goudie is now touring with Simple Minds. Prefers touring with the Bunnymen and enjoys playing dark, sexy music. Higher rate of pay.

Yaser:

Echo & The Bunnymen emerged from a very specific cultural moment in the UK. Why do you think their music continues to resonate with new generations decades later?

Roy:

It’s a combination of music & lyrics. Ian's writing remains original, and the songbook is quite varied.

Many songs are classics and deserve to be played.

Many groups are not as lucky, nor do they enjoy careers that last as long as The Bunnymen's.

Yaser:

If someone in Toronto has never listened to Echo & The Bunnymen before, which three songs would you recommend as the perfect introduction, and what makes them essential listening?

Roy:

Ocean Rain, Lips Like Sugar & The Killing Moon are three songs that come to mind. The lyrics are the closest things to musical poetry. “Whatever the killing moon is, it’s getting closer”—Ian McCulloch interview.

Yaser:

Before we wrap up, is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers that we haven't covered today?

Roy:

It’s important to capture images. We have this technology, which makes it much easier to document people and moments. It’s a way to preserve memories while we’re here briefly. The days are long, but the years are short!

Interview with Roy Marques

June 15, 2026

Special thanks to Roy Marques for sharing his memories, photographs, and reflections with QAF Narrative.

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