This year’s headliner, Deadletter were a great signing, having already sold out venues like Koko. It is great for an established band to revisit venues and help shift tickets. It is a while since I last saw Deadletter play, as I jumped off when they started to play larger venues. With the recent release of their second album, it was an opportunity to see how far they have progressed since I saw them all those years ago playing the Social on a ‘one to watch’ bill (I had also seen Deadletter when they were Mice on Mars). Their new material adds depth to their set, showing the growth they have made as song writers. Tonight, featured many new tracks along with many of our favourites and was a fine way to end a great day.

On the undercard were several bands who might be playing similar size venues in the next year or two.

As always, not all music was to my taste. Arguably the band most likely to be playing bigger venues by the end of the year, Little Grandad, did very little for me. I found them bland, part of that trend of playing alt-country tinged tracks. After two songs I had seen little of interest and bailed to get some food. While, Little Grandad weren’t for me, other bands did stand out.

I had been hearing good things about Makeshift Art Bar, and their set left me wanting to see more. Their driving post-punk featured a slide guitar, that they attacked with screwdriver. Slide guitar is a much underused instrument, and perfect for building up waves of feedback expertly crafted by the band. There was a clear Gilla Band influence, right down to singer’s t-shirt. That’s never a bad thing.

I managed to catch snippets of Leminsuckr at the Great Escape. It was great to see a fuller set. I can see why they are making waves. They are definitely a band I would go and catch at a festival. I’m not sure I would travel into London to catch them. For me, they sit in the Fat Dog adjacent space, with driving, dancy beats, and energetic performances.

Bugbear, have something. Mixing grungy guitars, electronics and textured vocals. I’m not sure all the pieces are in place yet. But they were doing things that peaked my interest. Hopefully, I will catch them on a bill at some point, to see how they have progressed.

Likewise, the awfully named indie pop band, Canned Pineapple, are a band I will keep an eye on. In their singer, an Elvis Costello look-alike, they have a fun presence that made watching them, a joyfully experience.

Sound in the main room down at the front near the speakers, was at times poor. With bass overpowering the rest of the mix. Tanzana’s goth-tinged textures suffered the most. The lead singer’s vocals were really good, but the mix near the speakers lost all the guitars. It was just screeching vocal (in a good way) and drums. However, there was enough about their performance to make me want to see more.

Most of the rest of bands didn’t really do much for me. But that’s music for you. You can’t like everything.

Special mention goes to the always ‘Enjoyable Listens’ who played a full band show and opened the day. They are a staple of this festival and I for one, always love catching up with them. A perfect way to open a festival.

Esquires do a great job putting these all-day lineups together. If you haven’t been to one. They are well worth giving up some of your time.

Other bands playing were Home Counties, Vehicle, Disgusting Sisters and Your Mate’s Ex

(I didn’t take normal camera gear for this. It is easy for this festival to be overpowered by photographers.All shot with a 35mm pocket camera. It was quite nice to not have to drag gear around all day. Unfortunately, I kept out of the way near the speakers. It kind of limited what I could do)

As usual the music was a buffet of music styles to sample. Not all of it was to my taste. But for me, that’s not the point of these all-dayers. It’s a chance to catch new bands without the need to traipse between stages. Highlights for me the gothy Velvetine, Spanish Horses, St Clair, the last minute subs, Sounds Mint and the Adult DVD.

TARMAC started the day off with a bang.

The Battery Farm

Kez

Shortstraw

Sounds Mint my new band highlight from the day

GANS

Alien Chicks dealt with guitar issues, but still delivered a great set

The Pill

I’d forgot how good Grandma’s House are. I won’t forget again.

Familiar face

Big Special being special

Set List

• Heavenly Waters
• Machineries
• Larsen B
• Green Goddess
• Spring Has Sprung
• What You’re Doing
• Lonely
• Two Fingers
• Lights Out For Darker Skies
• North Hanging Rock
• Fire Escape
• Folly
• Lucifer
• Bad Boho
• Remember Me
• Carrion
• All In It
• A Trip Out
• Waving Flags
• Great Skua