mon 07/10/2024

Field Day, Victoria Park | reviews, news & interviews

Field Day, Victoria Park

Field Day, Victoria Park

Fresh new voices and heady nostalgia at Field Day 2014

The Wytches: 'rowdy rhythms, entrancing guitar riffs and grungy vocals'Carolina Faruolo/Field Day

Decidedly diverse in its musical offerings as ever, this year’s Field Day, which for the first time was spread over two days with the Pixies as a fitting finale, was gifted with glorious sunshine and a chipper ambience. Fresh ferocious voices breaking out and established names reaching back to their roots made for a harmonious mix of boldness and greatness.

Thurston Moore’s exceptionally tight guitar skills and sparse melancholy lyrics gently weaved across the sunny afternoon breeze with the sublime sound similar to that of early Sonic Youth delivering a delightful wave of nostalgia. Meanwhile over at the Shacklewell Arms tent, Finnish dream pop maestro Jaakko Eino Kalevi took to the stage with a female woodwind mastermind who switched between saxophone and clarinet creating a woozy, melodic sound. Though perhaps closest in sound to Ariel Pink (who Jaakko has played support to) there’s a distinct 80s feel with the synth and moody vocals playing out like a lo-fi Duran, Duran. With lyrics such as “You don’t have to say you love me, just show me how flexible you are” fun to sing along to and interpretable as either an ode to his toothbrush or a sincere love song. 

The highlight of the weekend was Brighton-based psychedelic youngsters, The Wytches

Despite dwindling numbers towards the end of the evening at the smaller tents, with Metronomy playing on the main stage, there was a buzz in the air thanks to a surprise appearance from Lianne La Havas (the young London songstress whose house famously hosted a Prince press conference earlier this year), her soulful vocals booming above the Crack Magazine DJ to a whooping audience. Her appearance provided a wonderful segue to the green mohawked Danny Brown, who full of punky bravado and rightfully clad in a Ramones t-shirt, took to the stage to close on a high. Detroit MC, Brown may spit debauched lyrics but he comes good with his ability to generate ecstatic revelry with his whip-fast delivery, bouncy swagger and mischievous enthusiasm encouraging the audience to dance their asses off. There’s a hint of Cypress Hill’s B-Real to Brown’s high-pitched twang with the catchy chorus of “Smokin’ and Drinkin’” fully engaging the crowd in childlike euphoria and adding to the goofy, frank charm of his playful set.

On day two, once the stages had been reduced by half, the Shacklewell Arms hosted British post-grunge band Drenge, with the crowd surging over from the Eat Your Own Ears main stage with giddy anticipation after the satisfying seventies vibe of Temples (Temples drummer, Samuel Lloyd Toms pictured above right). The tent, unable to hold the large audience with people spilling over on to the grass outside, was in perfect tandem with Drenge's raucous sensibility.

Although many may have been drawn to the presence of the legendary Pixies, it was encouraging to see hand-picked fledgling talents proving their value as spirited and entertaining live acts. The highlight of the weekend being Brighton-based psychedelic youngsters, The Wytches (main picture), who entice with their rowdy rhythms, entrancing guitar riffs and grungy vocals which come together to form a boisterous hybrid of many musical influences ranging from Deep Purple to Nirvana. Lead singer Kristian Bell, who claims he’s “not good at the audience interaction thing” proved to be an engaging presence full of infectious passion.

Brown may spit debauched lyrics but he comes good with his ability to generate ecstatic revelry

rating

Editor Rating: 
4
Average: 4 (1 vote)

Share this article

Add comment

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

newsletter

Get a weekly digest of our critical highlights in your inbox each Thursday!

Simply enter your email address in the box below

View previous newsletters