CAMDEN (truly) ROCKS on 3rd June
Saturday 3 June 2017 - A peace and noise break out of fun hits London NW1
Camden Rocks Festival, HAPPENS all day 'til the early hours, London. Starring our recent interviewees, Feeder (above), hot with Reverend And The Makers, Carl Barat (below, at the recent Pirate Studios launch sessions) and The Jackals, The Damned, The King Blues, The Virginmarys and an array of next big things on a bill with hundreds of the nation's favourite rock bands in venues of all sizes. 250 Bands in 25 Venues with just one wristband!
It's the most wonderful time of the year! The capital of England's capital of music, (Camden, London NW1) becomes one giant festival of stages and adventures in a totally music loving crazy setting. To be fair, that's most nights of the week but Camden Rocks is the celebration that makes it even more so. A wristband is your key to seeing so many tipped and recommended rockers, along with high profile shows, that the ticket (sells out in advance, grab one a.s.a.p. via http:/camdenrocksfestival.com/
You know its the rising stars that we're mad for!
TIPS! M O S E S (above, winning over yet another room full of friends at their Club NME headline of Koko at the end of last year - they will make you grin, and move!), Asylums, The Blinders, SONS, The Membranes, Sisteray, Lucie Barat, Blackwaters (below, last Autumn at Amersham Arms after a jaw dropping punk bomb of a set. By the start of this year, their gigs had earned them a Big In 2017 accolade and the good rep keeps on coming), False Heads, Glam Skanks, The Kut, The Soap Girls, The Luka State, Millie Manders and The Shutup, Tokyo Taboo, October Drift, The RPMs and The Garage Flowers are a virtual tribe of stars already twinkling in this story. Cum on feel the noize; If you can get to catch even a handful of them, you won't be disappointed. Tunes AND presence, innit...
Alongside must see tips; The Franklys ('Castaway' video, below, the band are one of the names that are back at Camden Rocks by request, with 'Are You Listening?' "a hint of The Runaways and certainly provide a raw edge that is present throughout the album" says Rock n Load), Louise Distras, Avalanche Party, The RPMs, Yonaka, False Advertising and The Black Roses there's already not enough hours in the day!
Above. We started last year's festival at The Hawley Arms. SONS have just made such a huge impression (one of them with broken jaw!) that they couldn't quite believe it. Instant new fans, photo session, radio interview etc., ensued, and by the end of 2016, they were all over Radio X, Radio 1 and in session etc with debut single, 'Reptiles', and new single 'A Love Song?' (both on End Of The Trail Records). Big meaty rock anthem head banging monster sounds. This year playing later, early evening.
2017 is a great girl rocker year. Above, love song of the decade goes to the addictive Glam Skanks, 'Fuck Off', filmed by David Gomes of Electric Owls films at our Star Wars Day artbeat music social before they hit the road with Adam Ant. You too will fall in love.
Considering the guitar band revolution exploding over the last few years, especially, getting to catch so many of the new bands is a bonus. 2017 is key. One of this year's most talked about sounds, by those in the know, has to be The Blinders. Guitarist/singer, Thomas Haywood below at This Feeling Club's London #BigIn2017 show in January. In fact, a twitter search of @TheBlindersBand tag reveals what people who have seen them have to say. Doubtful that they can remain a secret for much longer. Click the pic for new video 'Ramona Flowers' as an introduction.
It's easy to get to Camden from any of the train or coach stations into the capital. This part of North London prides itself on the up and comers calling in to play one of the myriad of venues. Full of #StageStyle too, with so many alternative fashion stalls and shops, and an international dining experience in the markets and beyond, there's always a touch of the urban concrete Glastonbury about Camden anyway. We are London based, so are here often. Last year TheZineUK ran a 27 page picture chapter as June 2016 from Camden Rocks Festival. This is part of our increasingly entwined music movement story.
The wild scenes from the Sisteray gig graced the cover (above) because it was a day of such wonderful madness heated by moshes and decibelled frolicks. The only actually independent band (Vallance Records) currently in the alternative charts are a one band scene in their own right. Faces about town, with something (loads!) to say who support and promote so many other artists. We got really heated up at their Camden Rocks appearance last year, friends hanging off the ceiling for those songs, loads more trying to peek from outside. Then....panting, we got cooled down by Kraken Rum ice cream. Oh, that ice cream! (Priorities). The bands are just as cool. Below are October Drift owning the room at last summer's Tramlines Festival in Sheffield. They give it their all and are a properly uplifting and full on newer wave rock smack in the face. It was love at first bite.
Got a love of urban festivals: Real pub prices. Proper toilets. Easy transport and affordable eating. Another bonus. The biggest one is, though, that Camden Rocks Festival is easily one of the biggest dates on the calendar year for anybody that is immersed in the true spirit of the rock and roll life. Inclusion, love and peace balanced the noises and frienzied frugging. We made instant new friends in ever venue. You really can have a good time, all the time... (psst, it is impossible NOT to have a great time when Asylums are playing!) click the pic by Tarquin Clark, out Autumn 2016 picture story cover, for taster of the live action in the 'Second Class Sex' video)
words and snapshots (except Feeder and Asylums images); Caffy St Luce - that full line up at mid May 2017:
