We’ll Be There: Camden Rocks (2nd June)

With just a few short weeks before 8,000 people descend on Camden for another Saturday of all-day live music and a recent slew of additions to the one day festival, no festival on the calendar caters to the phrase “something for everyone” more than this one. Whether it’s hard rock, punk, blues, indie or metal, you’ll be able to pick out at least half a dozen bands you’ll want to see. An incredible atmosphere pervades the air throughout the day and from the minute you pick up your wristband at The World’s End, and with no camping and mud to worry about, it’s like no other festival.

Where the up-and-comers rub shoulders with legends, how you spend your day is entirely up to you. Do you pick bands you love and know will deliver a great show or seek out some new bands? Then, of course, you’ve got to plan your day as getting from one end of Camden on a sunny Saturday to the other with an extra several thousand people can take some time. And if there’s a popular band you want to see, make sure you’re there in plenty of time because once a venue’s full, it’s full! And of course, if you leave, the next person in the queue is getting in. It’s not unheard of to arrive at a venue a couple of bands before to make sure you’re guaranteed a place to see that all-important gem (I’ve done so the previous two years I’ve attended).

I’ve been the last two years and the line-ups have always made for a day of tough decisions due to the number of clashes. 200 bands appearing all in the space of 12 hours, you can guarantee there’s at least 20 bands you’ll want to see. This year, it’s no different so myself and a couple of our crew who will be representing us are going to run you through the bands we think you should see. And with one announcement to go, don’t be surprised if we don’t come back and add more!

Ross’ picks:

  • RavenEye – for me, this is this year’s band I must see. Since their inception, we’ve supported Oli Brown and his brothers. Their recent UK tour was them at their absolute best. Mixing grunge and blues into a hard rock sound, the power trio are going to slay their maiden Camden Rocks appearance.
  • Reigning Days – a close second on the must-see list. Eclipse was a long time coming (and completely worth it) and it’s been even longer since I last saw them so I’m due a catch up. Going by the live footage in their recent video, it seems they’ve upped their game and I’m sure it’ll be a busy one!
  • Rews – another from the Marshall Records stable, more indie leaning than I’m used to but the quality of their songs speaks for themselves. Both times they’ve played Glasgow in recent months, I’ve missed them due to other gigs so I’m looking forward to finally seeing the two-piece.
  • Pete Spiby & The Beat Alls – I was a massive fan of Black Spiders and since Spiby has been working on new music and Black Spiders were one of those bands who seemed to play the festival every year, it would be wrong to miss him.
  • Those Damn Crows – these guys were a great find at Wildfire last year so I’ll be trying to see these guys. Uncompromising hard rock is my bread and butter so any chance I get, I’m there.
  • The Bad Flowers – whilst their album may have fallen short of their standard-setting EP from a couple of years back, live – blues-tinged hard rock is all about attitude and energy and this trio have both in buckets. As part of one of this year’s best value for money tickets (opening for Stone Broken and Jared James Nichols), their new converts will be flooding the venue.
  • Skarlett Riot – whilst slightly more poppy than I’m used to, much like so many other bands, this lot deserve to be playing much bigger venues. Playing to rooms as if they were headlining a stadium, there’s no denying they don’t give it their all. With massive catchy hooks and heavy enough to hang with the likes of Massive Wagons, they’ll be the ones people will be disappointed they miss out on.

Mark’s picks:

To be honest, what Ross said. But, I have gone for some others

  • The LaFontaines ā€“ Last year I had the pleasure of listening to their record, Common Problem. An album I felt was one of my favourites of 2017. Their music hits you in the face like a Mike Tyson right hook while allowing you to still move those shoulders to a beat.
  • The Dirty Thrills ā€“ Been wanting to see thee cats showcase their grimey/filthy take on blues for some time. Their 70s influences of British rock are easy to hear. Theyā€™ve the swagger and attitude to feel they can take over the world. For the first time ever, I may get the chance to see these guys finally.
  • The Kut – The three-piece rock/grunge outfit are the hardest working band of 2018 already. Not only have they signed with Cargo Records. Finished their largest UK and European tour and not just this, they released their debut album, Valley of Thorns, read the review here. Princess Maha and crew are already veterans of this festival. Seeing them a couple of times myself means Iā€™ll be checking The Kut out once more.
  • Harry Pane ā€“ Ā A singer songwriter busked his way around the Capital gigging at open mics, busking at train stations and supporting a certain icon, Frank Turner. His writing skills are growing immensely along with his acoustic riffs. He has this ability to have the crowd in the palm of one of his hands.
  • Empire ā€“ Iā€™ve wanted to see these guys since hearing Patchwork and Bone on Scuzz TV, a classic rock vocal who certainly holds a note and can go head to head with the speed drumming and heavy guitar riffs. I expect severe neck ache due to headbanging after witnessing these guys for the first time.

Rachy’s picks:

Fourth Camden Rocks Fest for me (well fifth if you count the epic Nightmare on Camden High Street 2015 – please bring back this awesome Halloween fest!) and just as Ross already said it’s as much about walking past a pub window, stopping dead at the music you’re hearing floating out and discovering some great new bands as it is mapping out those ‘definites’ you plan on seeing.Ā Nothing beats the atmosphere as you meet up with your mates (some you haven’t seen since last year’s festival) in The World’s End, donning your wrist bands and planning out your day. To be honest, if there wasn’t a single band I’d heard of I’d be there, Camden Rocks is just very unique and has a magical vibe. So apart from discovering those hidden new gems, here are my ‘definites’ time schedule permitting…

  • Longy & The Gospel Trash – aptly, one of those ‘hidden gems’ discovered at my very first Camden Rocks. Bringing plenty of groove and brass to their unique rock sound, I was mesmerised by Longy’s acoustic set and made sure as hell I got to his plugged in set later that day and was completely bowled over! One of the most hard-working bands I know, Longy has just completed a mammoth task of 500 gigs in one year and totally smashed it.
  • Heavy Lungs – I was ecstatic to see this up and coming punk band on the bill, they blew me away with their support slot at the mighty Metz gig in Bristol at the back end of last year.
  • False Heads – this is a punk rock band that I just haven’t gotten round to seeing yet, and I hope to put that straight this year. I’m hearing great things about this band and I’m massively excited to catch them live finally!
  • Sisteray – this post-punk four piece from London sound right up my street and I hear nothing but praise for their energetic and passionate live sets.
  • RavenEye – because Ross says IĀ haveĀ to!
  • Echobelly – for pure nostalgia.
  • PiL – because PiL

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