Two posts in one day? That hasn't happened in...well ever! In all fairness, it wasn't supposed to be until I realised the other one hadn't posted.
As ever, the wee scores I put next to a band are for my own enjoyment of the set, which of course could be impacted by a number of factors.
Slam Dunk South
To start with, some general thoughts on the festival itself. Big Green Coach is absolutely the best way of getting to this festival. I’ve read some absolute horror stories of how the car park was managed (several hour queues just to get parked, extending long after gates had opened). Granted, my positive view of getting the coach is certainly influenced by the fact the coach I was on was coach 4 and towards the front of the coach queue, meaning getting out at the end of the day was less of a ballache (I think, I was just trying to get some sleep).
Organisation wise, the festival in terms of toilets and food options didn’t seem as though it was set up for a sold out 17k capacity festival. I got food when I did at opportune moments at stalls with shorter queues than most, but this still involved missing music of bands I wanted to see, but queues for food generally were massive throughout most of the day. Toilet queues are a thing every year (probably at every festival), but they again were there all day from what I could see. On top of that, it was a warm day, so it is pretty inexcusable to only have 3 water points. It is hard to judge what it was like on site with regards to phone signal, as I am on 3 and that network just doesn’t seem to be able to cope with a crowd. I’ve been twice before this year, and now all 3 years there has been a delay in opening the gates. I know this is not a major issue, but they advertised 11am open every year, and every year they just can’t deliver on this. I’ve heard some gripes about the sound for bands and I can only speak from my experience that the only time I thought the sound was questionable was when I was way off to the side for The Offspring…but that was due to where I was standing rather than a problem. I stood in front of that stage for a few bands during the day and it was more than fine I thought. The bar queues were very agreeable this year as well, which was impressive considering the size of the crowd. I didn’t care for spending £7 on a pint but I’m never going to care for that.
Heriot - 8
I really like Heriot live, and this set was no exception. Seemed as though there were a couple of technical difficulties but nothing that derailed the set, which is cool. A good start to the festival for me.
Higher Power - 7
I was tempted to nip out of the tent to see a band on one of the open air stages and then come back for this set (and be at the back), but instead decided to remain in the shade and was able to be near the front, so that was cool. Anyway, I missed Higher Power’s 2021 show (on my birthday!) in Southampton and seeing them here made me regret that choice, as they were really good.
SeeYouSpaceCowboy - 8
SYSC were excellent. Starting off my day with the first three bands on the Knotfest Pulse of the Maggots stage was a good call. I’m not overly familiar with their music (I’ve listened to some and liked it) but still really enjoyed it. I would definitely watch them again.
Spanish Love Songs - 8
I skipped out during the last song of SYSC to make my way across to the Kerrang tent to catch as much of Spanish Love Songs as I could. This was a good call as they were also great.
Holding Absence - 6
They sounded really good from the brief time I was able to listen. I was always going to miss some of the set, but this was a set directly impacted by the aforementioned toilet/food queue situation. A shame, but the last two songs from a distance did sound very good. I may go see them in November in Southampton, though I am conscious of the fact it is very soon after I get back from Stockholm.
Wargasm - 5
Last year, I went to see Electric Callboy on the recommendation of friends. I wasn’t overly fussed with them but thought I would anyway. That ended up being my favourite set of the festival and only topped by a set from Damnation as my favourite festival set of the year. This year, the recommendation was Wargasm. I had separated from pals much earlier in the day but thought I would still watch them. I was in front of the stage they were due to perform on, so just wandered forward until I was quite near the front. Their set start got delayed due to technical issues, which was a shame. However when it got underway, it was clear they aren’t for me, so I moved further back and had a sit down. I thought they were fine, that is all though. It would probably be unkind to suggest Wargasm are only in these slots because one of the band members has a sex pistol for a Dad, and another performs in her pants. If people didn’t like their music, you would think they would have still fallen at the first hurdle - I immediately think to King 810 here - people in positions of influence really wanted them to be massive but not enough people cared and they never got massive. Those things probably don’t hurt Wargasm’s cause mind!
Gogol Bordello - 8
A chance for a dance, who doesn’t love that! Gogol Bordello were a lot of fun. Not a whole lot to add there really!
Flogging Molly - 10
It is probably at this point that I should tell you I attended the festival effectively wearing a suit jacket. It probably wasn’t my smartest move given the heat but you live and learn. Went down the front for Flogging Molly and after 2 songs, I spent the rest of it in the mosh pit. I was a warm boy afterwards! Flogging Molly are just brilliant live and this was no exception. This was my favourite set of the day, though one later did run it close!
Less Than Jake - 7
I knew I wasn’t going to hang around for the whole thing as I wanted to ensure I could get into the tent for Creeper. I really enjoyed what I heard. It is a shame the sets overlapped as LTJ were playing Hello Rockview in full, and seeing it all would have been cool. Alas, choices!
The Academy Is… - 5
…turns out I left the Dickies stage a bit too early as I got in fo the last 4 songs (I think) of The Academy Is… Anyway, they were alright. I wasn’t planning to see them, but I got to see the end of their set and, yeah it was alright!
Creeper - 9
God damn Creeper are good live. I probably won’t be able to make their November tour due to other commitments and that saddens me. However, they were bloody ace for this set, making the decision to see them definitely a good one.
Billy Talent - 8
I had decided earlier in the day after seeing Creeper to head to the stage Offspring would be on later to get a good spot (and watch some Bowling For Soup). Then Creeper finished and I thought - “Nah!” and headed to the other open air stage to watch the rest of Billy Talent. Caught the last 5 songs and they were all bangers, and got to meet up with most of the pals I hadn’t seen in a few hours, so that was cool!
The Offspring - 7
The Offspring were very enjoyable for sure. Was it the best I’ve ever seen them? It wasn’t - I felt there was a bit of a lull in the set from the opening salvo. I also thought the Noodles Noodling section probably went on a bit long considering they only had a 75 minute set, but maybe thats just me being miserable. What is me being miserable is having looked at their setlist for Slam Dunk North and seeing they played Hit That at North, but not at South! Boo I say, boo! Anyway, they were good, and I am pleased I closed out my day having a singalong with them.
That was that really. As mentioned above, it felt as though the coach got back to Portsmouth a lot earlier than it did the previous year, which given the context of my weekend I was very happy about!!
Portals Festival
As with Slam Dunk, I will start with some thoughts. I’d never been to EartH (Evolutionary Arts Hackney) before, and I really like the space. I have a particular soft spot for the Theatre, which I think is a really cool spot and I hope to be able to go back there for something in the future. The festival took over all 3 spaces in the venue, and there was a one way system throughout, which worked well for me. I was early enough to be able to walk through the 1 way system once to get my bearings, which I’m sure helped.
Shy, Low - 7
Shy, Low were a decent start to the day. I think they are signed to Pelagic Records (the record label run by, or at least affiliated with, The Ocean) and having seen them live, that makes sense as they have a similar vibe to The Ocean for sure (though are instrumental). I enjoyed it and will try to check them out more.
God Alone - 6
I enjoyed God Alone and thought their set was cool. They only suffered for me as someone who was checking their watch to ensure I left with enough time to get a good spot for Pupil Slicer
Pupil Slicer - 9
Speaking of. I was able to get on the barrier, which was cool. Pupil Slicer had some technical issues before the start of their set by the looks/sounds of things (I’m not even a novice in this area, so not sure what exactly was happening). There was a further technical issue during the set (think the bass cab or one of the bass guitars blew up, which isn’t ideal!). That all aside though, Pupil Slicer’s set was an assault on the senses in the best possible way - one of the best of the day for me! The new material all sounds so good live, so I am looking forward to November (Employed to Slice!) to hopefully see some of it again!
VLMV - 5
I kind of feel bad for giving VLMV a 5 (admittedly not enough to not do it, but still). Basically, I was going to watch A-Tota-So, as I’d seen them before and recalled them being good. Then I realised I should use the sets in the theatre as windows to sit down and listen to music to slightly recharge batteries. It was a good call, but I made the choice to see VLMV a few seconds before I was in the room. I watched his set and thought it was fine, but truthfully I wasn’t invested (especially as I could hear the vibrations coming from the bar for A-Tota-So’s set). I nipped off towards the end to ensure I had a good spot for the next set in the Hall.
GGGOLDDD - 9
Nipping off early was a good call as I was able to get on the barrier again. GGGOLDDD continued the run of excellent sets on the Hall stage (a run which, as it turns out, would run through to the end of the day, spoilers). My main takeaway from the set was that GGGOLDDD were superb live and that I hope to see them again (I may have considered going to see them in Brighton tomorrow night until I thought seriously about the logistics and binned that plan).
Seims - 7
Back in the theatre for a sit down. Seims were good. Again I wasn’t there for the whole thing but I did enjoy what I stayed for.
Svalbard - 9
Leaving Seims early meant a barrier spot again was available for Svalbard. Their start was delayed due to technical issues but once they got going they were outstanding. Having seen them before, this didn’t come as a surprise. Their new song, Eternal Spirits, is crushing live and hopefully has a spot in their live set for years to come.
The Guru Guru - 8
Penultimate visit to the theatre room for The Guru Guru and this was probably my favourite set in that room of the day. Closing on Honestly I Don’t Feel Like Dancing was cool, as I was hoping they would play that. Another great set.
Maybeshewill - 8
Maybeshewill were the penultimate band for me in the Hall. It did start to seem as though technical difficulties on this stage were the order of the day as they appeared to have some before the start of their set as well. Once they got going though, you wouldn’t have known it, as they were really good. I definitely want to see them again, as I used the end of their set to go buy some food and have a slightly extended sit down.
Ef - 7
I wasn’t sure about seeing Ef, but decided I would (again, wanting a sit down). I’m glad I did as Ef were very enjoyable, and set me up nicely for what followed.
Mono - 9
Mono were stunning. Before the festival, because I wasn’t a fan, I was nonplussed about seeing them and even considered getting an earlier coach home and leaving after Maybeshewill. I’m so glad I didn’t do that as it would have definitely meant missing out. Mono were superb. Certainly one of the best post-rock instrumental bands of the day, and one of my favourite sets all together.
I then left, unable to stay for the theatre headliners. Got back to Victoria and saw my coach would be going home via Heathrow. It was at this moment I questioned some life choices, but not for long as my weekend was more than a bit good! Slam Dunk, as with this year, will need a good line up to get me back. Same with Portals, but if it is in the same venue I would be very interested to see who they get to play.
