An excellent weekend, with lots of old and new artists performing.
My thoughts below on the artists I managed to see…
Soft Play
Metal and punk for the first half of the show.
Improved towards as I thought the songs were better.
I think there are limits when you just have guitar, drums and vocals, with mandolin for a few songs.
But when the songs are good it doesn’t really matter.
The Hunter was a standout track.
English Teacher
An intricate complex set of songs, from excellent musicians. I am not too familiar with their music,
so I will have to check them out. It will require time and effort as their music is complicated and
demands your full attention. I can see why the band have been gaining lots of attention over the last few years.
Mind blowing stuff!
Public Image Ltd
Superb set from a well oiled machine. John Lydon’s performance was superb considering he seemed to be
under the weather, and drums and bass with guitar layers were awesome.
Highly recommended.
Antony Szmierek
This man is a star. Excellent wordsmith and he carries the show, which is a dance party with
witty phrases and audience participation. Whatever it is you need to communicate and enthrall people, he has it!
One of the highlights of the weekend. A star!
Dry Cleaning
It is art-rock with lots of guitar ideas sitting behind strange lyrics and solid bass and drums.
I like them, but like their music, it requires your full attention. I need to listen to their recorded music more.
Idlewild
I like their raw grungy tracks, but they also have elements of indie rock and melodic pop.
I prefer the raw stuff but they are another band I need to check out more.
Insecure Men
I only caught some of these, and I didn’t hear enough to fully guage how I felt about their music.
I will check them out more though.
Inspiral Carpets
Definitely a trip back to the 90s, with 70s pop and psychedelia added.
It really took off for the last 4 or 5 songs, and that got everybody up for it.
Another band I have not listened to enought, which I will rectify.
The Moonlandingz
Sleazy energy and mad lyrics from this modern punk entourage.
It had everything, glam, krautrock, disco, psychedelia.
And it was unpredictable. And chaotic. You never knew where it was going.
I will listen to more of them in 2026.
Bruise Control – Energetic punk, fast-paced, raw, and a touch of Motorhead. Good stuff!
chest. – Energetic post-punk, loud, strong bass lines, and expressive vocals.
Parisian band with UK accent on vocals. Worth checking out more. Great show!
GANS – Industrial rock and techno, with compelling energy, Dance Punk. Good show!
Humour – Chaotic, post-punk, they were good. I will check them out some more this year.
The Members – Old school raw punk with some reggae. tight sound, crunchy guitars, strong vocals
The Sound of the Surburbs is the standout track and it didn’t disappoint!
TV Smith – Acoustic Punk set with great songs, high energy from a punk rock icon
Energetic, witty and magnetic. Standout track – Gary Gilmore’s Eyes.
I would have preferred a full band, but it was a good show with just an acoustic, vocals and great songs.
Voka Gentle – Avant-garde indie, psychedelic pop, electronica,
Yes this band were very interesting. I will be listening to more of them.
I found their show captivating.
We Hate You Please Die –
French punk band, rock with pop, noisy and unpredictable, intense energy, with stop start parts.
These were my stand out band. I will be checking them out more in 2026.