This year, ahead of two days at the BEC Arena, the cult festival took over London’s Victoria park as part of the new LIDO festival. With temperatures soaring and headline performances from the likes of Turnstile and Knocked Loose it was a day fans will be talking about for years to come.
Drug Church
Drug Church were exactly as riotous as you’d expect. Encouraging crowd surfers from their fourth song 'Grubby' and inciting a circle pit not long after - they kicked off the day in true hardcore style. Their set ended on a high, only figuratively, with 'Weed Pin'. The 2017 hit is the New York band's biggest track and has only grown with them. Today it is a mosh fueled, noisy affair.
julie
The LA shoegaze trio feel like a band of this generation, not in all out pop way but rather aligned with those who cling to the subcultures of days gone by. With grungy, understated and effective visuals they appeal to those who yearn for a different time. Alexandria’s (vocals) bass is adorned with ribbons as they play a noisy yet soft set to an attentive audience.
Alex G
Perhaps not the first name that comes to mind when you think of a hardcore festival yet Alex G tugs at the heartstrings of all regardless of genre. With an upcoming album release in July he makes a long overdue return to British soil today. Tears welled in eyes as early as his second song, and the impressively sized crowd were treated to songs old, new, and unreleased.
Knocked Loose
They need no introduction. It’s hard to think of a current name that's defined an era as definitively as Knocked Loose have. With only 3 albums to their name their rise and rein is uncomparable to any other heavy band. With the cross that has become synonymous with this ‘You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To’ touring cycle watching over they delivered an almost biblical performance to close out Stage 2. Penultimate track 'Everything Is Quiet Now' inspired a wall of death almost unbelievable in size.
TURNSTILE
There was never any doubt that the Baltimore-founded, genre-pushing outfit would bring their A game to this headline slot. As the sun set it was time for them to transform Victoria Park into a real life experience of their visual album 'NEVER ENOUGH' - just one week after its release. Screens either side of the stage sparked to life with the soft waves seen at the beginning of the title track's video as the band walked out to an audience eager to sing every lyric with them.
Atmosphere set, the stage went dark before a spotlight illuminated jazz legend Shabaka Hutchings playing an extended outro on flute. A packed set followed, traversing their broad catalogue and featuring an appearance from Dev Hynes AKA Blood Orange for 'Alien Love Call'. Emotions were in a love fuelled frenzy throughout as fans danced, laughed, moshed, cried, and crowd surfed.
Brandon recalled “The first show that this band ever played on this part of the world was an Outbreak fest…in, I think it was 2013”. Reflecting on the much smaller stage they had played back then he thanked the crowd for being there and shared “we’re so happy to be here”.
Turnstile aren't like the rest. They're not scared to be sentimental or break the mould. They're completely themselves and that is exactly why their fanbase hold them so dear.
Isla Kerr
Images: Isla Kerr
