Boomtown once again attracted thousands of weird and wonderful festival goers for what was four days of non stop dancing, rocking and just damn right glee at Hampshire’s Matterley Estate. As soon as we got camped up in the brilliant VIP Boomtown Springs, we were immediately greeted by the wonderful actors who performed all weekend, throwing Boomtown Dollars down from the balconies, at Hotel Paradiso which really made this festival unique and certainly a completely different festival experience you couldn’t even imagine in your wildest dreams. We managed to catch Bristol based producer Extra Medium that has been taking on the influences of the city’s unique underground music and you could certainly hear this in the set and was a perfect way to start a weekend full of mayhem. We then walked through Copper County which a real western feel to it and certainly made you feel that you were transformed back in time. Paul the Kid then totally smashed his set at Crazy Calamities as the New Zealand based singer got his guitar and talked to everyone in the crowd through the form his brilliant reggae style rapping.
The Old Town port then saw MAiKA, from the likes of Serbia, Croatia, Hungry and more. Although they had several members missing due to not receiving visa’s, they sand their track Borders which was for the missing members and really got everyone dancing. It was really up beat and they sang the likes of Russian Spy that went down really well with fans. MAiKA also played The Bandstand on Friday showing how much of a hit they really were. Thursday night also saw some fire acts as did the rest of the weekend in the evening as the festival proved to have just about everything.
So after a great night of all round entertainment, Friday came along as the Hidden Woods provided a reggae themed atmosphere with DubMarta despite it pouring down with rain. The Skankin’ stage saw some great ska music including the likes of Cartoon Violence who provided some great vibes and with it being indoors it created a great crowd. The Freak Boutique bar saw the wonderful Casey Tufnell and vocals were brilliants and reminded me of a Kate Nash, Lily Allen mashup all in one beautiful voice. Friday also saw the likes of Jamie Lenman and Milk Teeth at the Earache Factory which was was great to see more of a rock themed stage. The live music went on to 4am with Balken Hotsteppers really sanding out at the Old Town Port. Despite the rain Friday was a great day and certainly gave Saturday a job to live up to it’s expectations but that it did.
Earache Factory saw the likes of Turbowolf play to a packed out crowd as they played one of their latest tracks Domino and it was great to see this live. It was also noted that Shikari Sound System was the secret headliner at this point.
Captain Ska played the Town Centre as S.P.Y & Dynamite MC ruled the stage at Bang Hai Towers. The Bang Hai Springs bar was particular cool as you could just chill and take a few minutes listen to the music while having a little rest. The fact that you could bring your drink around and it was restricted I thing is a great idea and would encourage any festival to do something similar. Etherwood then followed on Bang Hai Towers as the crowd began to pack out.
The moment of the festival for me finally happened when Enter Shikari came on after a town crier introduced them as they headlined the Town Centre. Right from the start lead singer Rou Reynolds danced crazily as you could tell he loved every minute of this set and revealed the band were staying for the whole weekend.
They played The Sights before the playing the brilliant Juggernauts that sent fans crazy. After Enter Shikari played The Last Garrison, the energizing Rou managed to get two fans on to the stage and congratulated them after there was a marriage proposal within the crowd using only signs. Enter Shikari then played Shinrin-Yoku and Undercover Agents which was just awesome. Other songs included their quick fire songs that included Sorry, You’re Not a Winner, Sssnakepit, …Meltdown and The Jester which I had no words to describe, it was faultless. The encore included Redshift which certainly toned things down but was fantastic as the band finished on the popular Live Outside.
We then managed to catch a bit of Gorlliaz as they played DARE alongside Shaun Ryder and Rosie Wilson which was amazing to see at a packed out Lions Den. Encore track included the likes of classics Clint Eastwood and Demon Days. Shikari Sound System was great this as Rou and the band put on a great DJ night at the Earache stage as they mixed the likes of Juggernauts and more in front of a packed enclosed crowd. Land of the Giants played a great set at the Old Town Port as Cru Cast takeover completely ruled their set at Sector 6. Cat Jam vs C@ in the H@ finished off at Hotel Paradiso and it was really great to finish off the Saturday.
Sunday came about way too quickly with the Bang Hai Technology centre opening on this day. Beans on Toast attracted an amazing crowd at Old Mines as he wore a steward jacket. He was joined by Bobby Banjo throughout the set and tried to get in crowd and achieved this when the crowd helped him. He played the likes of Robin Hood Costume. He also played MDMAmazing and Jamie and Lilly.
The rain started to pour again but didn’t dampen spirits as Eskimo Callboy stormed the Earache Factory stage and got everyone to jump left and right.
Wookie B2B Matt Jam Lamont played at Bang Hai Towers and it was electric atmosphere as Hacktivist were just brilliant at the Earache Factory and came on to a dubstep entrance. There were moshpits straight away as they were really heavy. Limp Bizkit played the Town Centre on Sunday evening despite being 20 minutes late but it certainly built anticipation. They came on to the song Purple Rain and it was really packed as you could hardly move. They started with My Generation which was sang for a while as they continued with a Ministry cover Thieves.
Limp Bizkit karaoke took over as they sang the likes of The White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army. Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle) was then next and played a Daft Punk remix of One More Time in-between songs. Limp Bizkit then played on of their My Way before killing a Rage Against The Machine cover of the brilliant Killing in the Name. Lead singer Fred Durst then asked the crowd if they were feeling sexual before a covers melody.
The band finished on the brilliant Break Stuff as the festival approached it’s end. Die Artwood headlined at the Lions Den and Andy C finished the festival with a secret set at Hangar 6. There was of course a brilliant closing ceremony as fans gathered round for one last time before Boomtown CH10 was finished. Chapter 11 happens over 7-11 August and is themed as A Radical City. For now check out a after show video of Boomtown CH10: ‘The Machine Cannot Be Stopped’.