Hevy Festival
Hevy Festival 2011 – Port Lympne Wild Animal Park – 5th-8th August 2011
Words by Nadia Bensihem / photos by Heather Fitsell
Set in the serene surroundings of Port Lympne Animal Park in Kent, Hevy Festival 2011 is quickly becoming one of the essential outdoor events of the summer; even though it’s only in its third year. Boasting its finest bill yet, this year’s festival reached epic heights as it played host to some of the best hardcore, metal and pop-punk bands around. On Friday 5th August, a few thousand fans gathered to enjoy a weekend of music, moshing and getting smashed.
Although there are no main stage acts, the first day of Hevy is still jam-packed with some of the UK’s best up and coming and established talent including the likes of Straight Lines, The First, Basement and Flood Of Red. But on Friday, it is party rockers Don Broco and hardcore revellers Lower Than Atlantis that steal the show. Having shared the same stage at Slam Dunk earlier in the year and coincidentally playing similar time slots tonight, these two bands are heading for stardom at a similar pace. Kick-starting with the brilliant ‘Thug Workout’, Don Broco get the party started by showing everyone how it’s done. They also show us how not to do a wall of death as vocalist Rob Damiani gets tripped up and slaughtered within his own doing
But luckily he comes out alive with a big fat smile and still manages to sing about being on ‘Top Of The World’.
A few moments later over on the Etinies/Front stage, Lower Than Atlantis cause chaos as they ignite their fiery set with bangers like ‘(Motor) Way Of Life’, ‘Beech Like Tree’ and ‘Far Q’. Scenes are rowdy as security struggle to control the amount of sweaty bodies flying through the air. Amongst the mayhem, there is a moment of poignancy as they perform a heartfelt ‘Another Sad Song’- Mike Duce’s vocals are hardly perceptible as the crowd sing along at the top of their lungs.
Tek-One turn things up a notch and end the night in suitable fashion with their bassy dubstep. The tent is rammed as they blast out remixes of Skindred’s ‘Cut Dem’ and The Blackout’s ‘Higher and ‘Higher’. Mischief continues into the night as the Front girls hold an after-hours party for those of us to hyped to sleep. However, the tent quickly turns into a bit of a sausage fest and when drunken chants of “get ya tits out” are met with no avail, many return to their campsites. But those that stick around are entertained by DJ’s who play the likes of Limp Bizkit and Lostprophets for us to get crunk to.
For many, Saturday’s cracking line-up is kicked off by Arcane Roots in the Rock Sound/Macbeth tent. Having wowed crowds at their own headline show at The Lexington a few days previous, they show us exactly why they’re worthy of opening today. For those still half asleep, their big destructive, At The Drive-In/Biffy Clyro-esque sound is like a hard slap in the face wake-up call and truly electrifying to watch live. For such a new band they are incredibly impressive and so is vocalist Andrew Groves’ Simon Neil resemblance.
Watford’s latest buzz-band Spy Catcher follow on with a set full of tracks from their stunning, newly released debut album ‘Honesty’. It’s great to see how much they’ve progressed and their self-proclaimed ‘grit-pop’ creates a perfect party atmosphere. ‘Remember Where You Were When Michael Jackson Died’, ‘Honesty’, ‘Good Times’ and ‘I Don’t Like People’ are highlights but the band struggle to get the crowd moving (who are probably still trying to recover from Arcane Roots).
However, they have no problems going mental for Me Vs Hero, who continue the momentum with their cheeky antics and energetic stage presence. It almost feels as if the sound has been amplified because their pop-punk anthems sound absolutely massive in this tent. With an infectious melody and bounce-friendly beat, ‘Days That Shape Our Lives’ is the jam that causes the most commotion.
Still riding off the success of their critically acclaimed debut LP ‘End Measured Mile’, Make Do And Mend are a popular choice as fans and press alike gather to enjoy the gravelly melodies of this Connecticut/Boston band. Their set mainly consists of tracks from the aforementioned record as they open with the brilliant ‘Oak Square’ and progress with ‘Unknowingly Strong’, ‘Transparent Seas’ and ‘Night’s The Only Time Of Day’. For variation they chuck in tracks from their earlier EPs and split with fellow wave band Touché Amoré, sparking a near perfect performance.
Over on the Red Bull Bedroom Jam Stage, Floods are about to commence and I’m not talking about the result of too much rain. The Hertfordshire post-hardcore/punk quintet are just one example of some of the great new bands playing this weekend. But with such a strong line-up elsewhere, the RBBJ stage suffers from lack of attendance as many choose what they know over new music. So what do you do when the crowd won’t come to you? Go to them of course- and that’s exactly what Floods do. Vocalist James Powers’ wild crowd antics are entertaining to watch whilst their brutal breakdowns and fiery stage presence impress enough people to stick around for the whole set. With an upcoming tour scheduled next month with fellow RBBJ contenders Acoda and a possible new album imminent, these guys are definitely worth keeping an eye on.
A massive crowd draws as The Ghost Of A Thousand take to the main stage for their final ever show before calling it a day. It’s an emotional affair for many but they make damn sure to go out with a bang. With ‘Left For Dead’ as a starting point, they melt our faces with a scorching set-list comprised of material that spans their seven year stint. The crowd go pretty mental but frontman Tom Lacey ensures that there will only be happy memories from this gig as he demands a conga line and wall of hugs and high-fives over a wall of death. They conclude with an explosive performance of ‘Bored Of Math’ before an entertaining cover of AC/DC’s ‘Back In Black’. As they bow to a show of appreciation, they leave us with watery eyes and one thought in our heads: ‘why the hell are they splitting up again?’
Squashed in-between The Ghost Of A Thousand’s farewell show and Dillinger’s anticipated headline slot means that Architects have a hard act to follow and intimidating one to precede. To add insult to injury, the sound on the main stage is pretty shaky at the best of times but with a set full of crowd pleasers largely drawn from latest album The Here And Now, the Brighton tech-metallers give it an admirable, gutsy shot. This is powered by confidence as they open with banger ‘Day In Day Out’. Whilst a lot of their sound seems to unfortunately get lost in the wind, this hard-hitting performance proves that they deserve to be getting as big as they are.
On the Red Bull Bedroom Jam Stage, which is parked right next to the main stage, Acoda have the biggest crowd of the day watching them (well at least listening) as people prepare to watch Dillinger. They make the most of the opportunity and go all out as they blast out the handful of songs they have to their name. With an impending debut album in the mix and the prospect of winning the RBBJ competition, this Midlands metal outfit have a promising bright future ahead of them.
Dillinger Escape Plan are the band many have been waiting for all day and they appear on stage amid excited and admiring cheers as they are received like returning heroes. As they launch into ‘Farewell Mona Lisa’, to my dismay, the sound is crap. It’s unlucky because this is a band that particularly require technical perfection. Saying this, they still sound absolutely massive and their powerful, schizophrenic and complex riffs hypnotise everyone watching. As Dillinger are many people’s choice of headliner tonight, it means that the turn out for Bouncing Souls isn’t as big as they deserve. But nonetheless, the punk pioneers play a fun and upbeat set to a lot of delighted, drunk-dancing people. Their top anthem ‘True Believers’ puts a smile on everyone’s faces and leaves us suitably pumped to party the night away.
On Sunday morning, many of us are equipped with hangovers and hazy memories of the free-bar related shenanigans of the night before, but soon get back to important business because today’s line-up is nothing short of stellar. First on the list to check out is Man Overboard, who prove that they are still defending pop-punk with a set full of bouncy beats, gang vocals and playful lyrics. The loveable New Jersey four-piece are still fairly new to the game but they look like they’ve been a band for years as they play with natural confidence and ease. Vocalist Zac Eiestenstein beams at the turn-out and tells the crowd to “come do weed with us”- they obviously don’t take themselves too seriously and that’s their appeal. (Well that and the fact that they look like the nerdy science club gone bad).
Following on from their current tour buddies, Polar Bear Club are slightly more grave in their delivery. Their gruff voiced melodies are well received; particularly the Hot Water Music/Gaslight Anthem tinged ‘Living Saints’.
It’s safe to say that the wave bands are creating the most buzz this weekend with Make Do And Mend, Touché Amoré, Defeater and LA Dispute all gracing us with their presence. First on the bill today are Californian outfit Touché Amoré who have people spilling out of the tent before they even appear on stage. From the onset their energy is ridiculous and with their punchy, passionate hardcore, they tear up the Rock Sound/Macbeth stage and give us an ear-drum battering in the process. Their early material provokes the most raucousness but tracks such as ‘Uppers/Downers’, ‘The Great Repetition’, ‘Home Away From Here’ and ‘Amends’ from new record ‘Parting The Sea Between Darkness And Me’ are also positively received. As they conclude with ‘Losing Sleep’, vocalist Jeremy Bolm climbs the stage scaffolding and watches as the crowd scream the last few utterances in unison, unaided by music. Not even the brief technical glitch could prevent this from being one of the most formidable sets of the day.
Over on the main stage, a lot of introductory commotion is built up as We Are The Ocean prepare to come on. They appear on stage clearly psyched but as they launch into first track ‘What It Feels Like’, it actually feels like a bit of an anti-climax. The fact that they are burdened with poor stage sound doesn’t help matters and whilst Liam Cromby’s vocals sound great, it doesn’t quite compensate for it. But the band certainly look like they are having a ball and that’s the most important thing. If there is something this fivesome are not lacking, it’s a bulk of impressive songs- particularly newer material such as ‘The Waiting Room’ and ‘Runaway’. It is these tracks that show just how much they’ve matured as a band over the last few years.
As I’m forced to bail early and wonder over to the Rock Sound/Macbeth tent, we soon realise why We Are The Ocean’s audience was looking a bit thin- it’s because the whole world had come to see Defeater. Like their wave contemporaries, this Boston quartet are a must watch and we soon find out why. Opening with the gentlest song heard all weekend, the lyrical beauty and rich, acoustic tones of ‘I Don’t Mind’ are heart-warming as we get to hear Derek Archambault’s lovely singing voice before he proceeds to scream the place down. As predicted, this song is the calm before the storm as they begin to stir up a fury with ‘Dear Father’. But nothing could have prepared us all for the passion exuded in fan favourite ‘Cowardice’, a beast of a song and surely melodic hardcore at its best. The compelling ending propels atmospheric level through the roof as each band member effortlessly plays their heart out. Whilst this would have been a suitable place to end, they out-do themselves even further with an explosive performance of ‘The Red White And Blues’, making this the most convincing and arguably best show of the whole weekend.
As I return to the Jägermeister stage, still stunned from the show I’ve just witnessed, excitement kicks in because Welsh lovelies and UK post-hardcore pioneers Funeral For A Friend are up next. With a ten year spanning career under their belts, this is a band that thoroughly deserve their place on the main stage. Frontman Matt Davies’ humour provides the laughs as their familiar hits provide nostalgia and mass sing-a-longs. They delve into their back-catalogue and dust of their early records as the likes of ‘Juneau’ and ‘Roses For The Dead’ are played for our hearing pleasure. As well as the classics, they throw in tracks from new album Welcome Home Armageddon, which along with this gig, shows them returning to form. Even after a decade, this lot have still got it.
With only one band left to enjoy, we’re all spoilt for choice with Your Demise, The Bronx and Four Year Strong headlining simultaneously. In an attempt to not miss out, I decide that my Hevy festival experience should be closed with the The Bronx and Four Year Strong. As I made my way to The Bronx, I’m surprised to find that the tent isn’t that packed, but there were still plenty of people ready to get rowdy for this band. As soon as the gripping, opening riff of ‘Knifeman’ drops, the crowd go ballistic and the tent turns to carnage. As they progress more into their set, chucking the likes of ‘Six Days A Week’ and ‘History’s Stranglers’ at us in full force, people react by diving into the crowd from raised platforms like they are diving off a springboard into a swimming pool or something. Although highly dangerous, it was entertaining to watch- well until a girl got up there and started pole dancing in a way that can only be described as cringe-worthy.
Having survived the carnage, I decide to head towards the main stage for some Four Year Strong action. With absolutely no chance in hell of getting a close enough spot, I discover that the view of the stage and crowd is much better from the press area. Already well into their set, it seems that crowd participation has been taken to another level as people shout along to hits from the bands’ brilliant three records; with ‘Story Of A Girl’ provoking the loudest sing-a-long of all. They’re clearly not too impaired by the loss of Josh Lyford and his keyboard earlier this year as tonight they sound tighter than ever. They formally conclude on the brilliant ‘It Must Really Suck To Be Four Year Strong Right Now’ before returning for an anthemic encore of ‘Wasting Time’. This band are the perfect end to a great weekend.
It’s a bittersweet feeling as the crowd depart- we all have smiles on our faces from the experience but are sad to see the end of it. Hevy Festival 2011 exceeded expectations and brought together an intimate community of great artists and fans to share a mutual love of music. With many bands commenting on how stoked they were to play amongst such an incredible bill, it’s promising that many of them will have no problem returning in the future. Fingers crossed next year will hopefully match and even surpass the success of this weekend because I can’t wait to come back. But for now, I’m going to give my poor battered ear-drums a well needed rest.
