Devil's Gate Music
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Cherry Lotus, a four piece Indie rock band from Bournemouth. The festival gates had barely opened and it was the middle of the afternoon so it was a tough ask for them as the tent was pretty much empty! Those who were there enjoyed the set immensely and the lads made sure they gave it as much energy as a full venue. Any fears that the family friendly nature of the festival (teddies everywhere, even up trees!) might water down the intensity of the music were quickly blown away by the first band on second stage, As Flames Rise. The twin vocalist 6 piece metal core band from Dorchester exploded on stage as if they were headlining rather than opening the festival. Front and centre bassist Laurie Thomas, stripped to the waist from the off, flanked by vocal powerhouses Jack England and Matty Bowdidge, whipped up a storm and woke the early arrivals from their afternoon torpor. Following them onto second stage were I, The Mapmaker who added a melodic edge to their hardcore sound and certainly kept the energy levels high. Their sound is intelligent and constantly intrigues so rather than head off to another stage I stuck around and enjoyed the full set. Parting Gift were next up. Coming all the way from Manchester this is a band that are on the way to something big! Nominated as Best British Breakthrough Act in the “Heavy Music Awards” and also on the bill at Download, they have recently toured with Dream State and their class was clear with one of the stand out sets of the day, both in terms of musicality and energy. Stage 3, situated next to the bar, had a line up designed to appeal with easily recognised music from a variety of tribute bands. I had made a mental promise not to spend too much time in there as there was a huge amount of new and self crafted product on offer elsewhere, but what was intended to be a swift pint ended with myself and a fellow tog catching part of the set from Stiff Bizkit. Without a doubt one of the best and most enjoyable tribute bands I have seen they attracted a huge crowd and the tent was buzzing with locals who knew what they would enjoy alongside those of us drawn in by the sheer professionalism of the band. Back on stage 2 for Chuggaboom to take the stage. When a band describes itself as “The Greatest Metalcore Band on Earth” you assume they will take the stage with a degree of confidence and swagger and boy did they just! Masked and anonymous, they continued the Friday theme of crushing power and frantic energy. I’m not sure what my fellow tog thought of it all as he had been telling stories of shooting musical “celebrities” but judging by the slightly shocked look on his face as the waves of metal poured forth music won’t be the same for a while! Contrasts could not be greater as we took our leave towards the end of the set to catch The Lounge Kittens. The trio are ridiculously entertaining. Some of the facial expressions are hysterical, the harmonies delivered perfectly and the banter engaging. I have a perverse love of anyone who does cover versions of songs I know in a completely different way, and so as a balance to the frantic guitars and ear bleeding vocals over on stage 2, The Lounge Kittens did the job for me perfectly. Two bands to go – firstly, the previously mentioned Dream State. Fronted by “CJ”, this set from the South Walians was my favourite of the day. Their sound is massive and brilliantly crafted, and this became one of those sets where I was half shooting half rocking out with the crowd. CJ herself is everywhere and takes some time to get up on the barrier and interact with the crowd. I hadn’t come across the band before but this is why I love festivals and usually hang around the smaller stages, finding bands that become part of my musical life. It was getting more than a little bit cold so I took the chance to pop to the Woodland Stage to witness something totally different, a fireshow from Pantheatrix to get warmed up. With fire breathing, flaming swords, fire “poi”, sword swallowing and even a huge “fire ladder” that formed beautiful helix patterns as it was rotated it was a most impressively choreographed addition to the line up. Finally onto the headliners Our Hollow, Our Home. The South Coast Metalcore masters blitzed the stage with a huge set. Vocalist Connor Hallisey prowling and stalking the stage, Tobias Young and Josh White riffing with speed and immense power and Bobby Brooks and Nick Taliadoros providing a rhythm that didn’t let up in intensity from the first beat. Their set has so much light and shade, often in the same song, flowing from growling, menacing snarls to melodic, lyrical passages and back in the most skilled way and the crowd in the full tent were a sweaty, moshing, cheering mob in contrast to the earlier laid back ambience. As the last notes died away I headed off to camp via yet another food outlet to ready myself for a much longer day to come, not realising just how cold it had now become! Review and Photos – Rob Wilkins Image gallery from day one available here Day two review available here More information on Teddy Rocks here.]]>
