It was a glorious day at Camden Rocks Festival last Saturday (2nd June) as some of the biggest and up and coming acts the industry has on offer played to 20 venues over the day in what was a great day of live music. Create to Inspire pulled out of the festival shortly before and since announced their break up which is a real shame. We first checked out the band Leontas that played the small Crescent Coffee venue with little over 20 people watching but it was truly great. One track that really got the crowd going was a cover of (I can’t get no) Satisfaction where the duo consisting of simply a drummer and lead singer/guitarist really rocked the venue. The set had elements of Green Dy and The Fratellis to it as they played single Sweet Trouble which was also a catchy song and provided plenty of energy.
We then checked out the country and western infused Sarah Vista And The Henchman at The Lyttleton Arms which gave the festival something different. Sarah could only be compared to a young Dolly Parton and to be honest, her act and voice were certainly not far off from the country music legend. Sarah also played A Day Late And A Dollar Short which was a real treat for fans and certainly provided a great atmosphere.
The Silver Bayonets then played at The Crescent Coffee venue and provided a real lively set as did Elswhere at The Good Mixer where people could hardly move.
Colt 48 played at The Electric Ballroom in what was their biggest gig to date. They played the likes of The Fire, Liars, Out of Habit and finished on Never (Let You Live It Down). It was a real solid set from the band and totally ruled the stage.
The SoapGirls then played to a packed out crowd at The Dingwalls. It was a really cool set and the duo looked amazing as they played the likes of My Development which really got the crowd jumping. They talked about their Facebook page getting removed and society in general and you could tell that music is a real passion of theirs to get their point across. The SoapGirls also played In The Name of God which was a really solid addition to their set.
Crazy Town were insane The Electric Ballroom and reminded me of Limp Bizkit at times and certainly provided an awesome set to the packed out crowd. The duo played the likes of Battle Cry and Only When I’m Drunk as they were a real hit with fans.
Back to the Dingwalls and Press to MECO were once again faultless in what was yet another packed out venue. They played track from their latest album Here’s To The Fatigue such as If All Your Parts Don’t Make a Whole as well as other tracks such as Autopsy.
Sonic Boom Six entertained the iconic Underworld and put in 110% as they always do. They played Piggy in the Middle which was great and heavy as well as a cover of I Fought The Law.
Mallory Knox then played at Koko and it was a great set as always! They played the likes of Wired and latest track Black Holes which went down well with fans. Other tracks on the night included the brilliant Ghost in the Mirror and Shout at the Moon which was just great to see live. They also finished on Better Off Without You which was a perfect way to end such an electrifying set.
Twin Atlantic then came on after Mallory Knox at Koko as they arrived on stage late as they did in Southampton the night before.
The Glasgow legends really gave it their all once again as lead singer Sam McTrusty was amazing throughout the set and really got the crowd pumped. The band started with Gold Elephant: Cherry Alligator then played Valhalla before playing the brilliant Make Beast of Myself. Twin Atlantic also played the likes of Hold On also where every single person in the crowd chanted the chorus.
A real favourite of mine was Fall Into the Party which certainly got the party started once again and this was quickly followed by another classic which was Brothers & Sisters. A brilliant acoustic track Crash Land then followed before they finished on No Sleep and Heart and Soul.
Hacktivist was played at the Underworld at the same time and we managed to catch a bit of it and it was truly amazing. Maximo Park Koko, PIL at Electric Ball Room, The Faim.at The Dublin Castle, Leon The Athen at Crescent Coffee were all highlights to finish off the night as Camden Rocks truly excelled themselves! We caught some bands throughout the day for some interviews which you can check out below!
Elswhere
Colt 48
Press To MECO
Hacktivist
Beatsteaks’ Thomas Götz
Leon of Athens
Check out a photo gallery of the day below by Eftychia Lianeri and Kieran James.