First up were Hyena. Sounding like an average Sub Pop band from the 90s. There wasn’t anything to dislike. But there wasn’t anything distinctive either.

I’d seen Baby Strange at the Great Escape. They didn’t pass my ‘one song’ rule I have a multi-venue music festivals. Bands have one song to convince me that it’s worth staying. They failed. They sounded average. So I wasn’t really looking forward to listening to them again. Boy, I was wrong. I’m not sure what song I heard at Great Escape. But tonight’s set was good. The first few had songs had a great punk sound (think Clash-type popular punk, not hardcore). Lots of energy. I definitely think my ‘one song’ rule failed this time.

Unfortunately, they seem to have already garnered a young crowd who seemed to be drunk on their alcopops, invading the strange, much to the annoyance of the band and security and also annoying much of the crowd with their uncontrolled mashing. (Why does the current generation not realise that a mosh should only effect the moshie’s and not the rest of the crowd? I’m sure we were more considerate when we were their age)

Closing the show were Dolomite Minor, a two piece from Southhampton. I think the ‘minor’ referred to how young the drummer looks! Two piece bands have to be good. Luckily both were really good. Some excellent drumming and confident guitar playing. I mentioned they’re from Southhampton and I felt their sound was similar to that other Southhampton band, the Band of Skulls. Definitely worth catching again.

So who did I manage to see?

Ella vs Mountain – sounded nice. But hard to tell as she was playing the tent in the hub and there was a lot of noise

Black City Lights – DJ and singer. Not my cup of tea

The Darlingtons – energetic midday set from these guys

French for Rabbits – nice kick-back with a beer on a sunny day type music

John J Presley – excellent set from one of my current favourites

September Girls – only caught the last two songs. But sounded excellent

Baby Strange – didn’t work for me.

Telegram – seen these guys before and again I was impressed by them

Esben and the Witch – listened to most their set from the street but managed to catch two songs. Sounded really good. Have to catch them again

Wytches – despite sound issues, another great set

Deathcrush – didn’t ‘get’ these girls. Lots of noise and shouting but nothing that grabbed me

Theo Verney – enjoyable set

Scott and Charlene’s wedding – don’t take themselves too seriously and seemed to be having a good time, as were the crowd

Barbarossa – not my cup of tea

Gavin James – hard to judge. Quiet music, but people were talking near me so I left

Femme – Seemed to be three girls dancing to a backing tape. I quickly moved on to the next venue

Serfina Steer – multi instruments uncluding a harp. Quiet nice laid back music

Syd Arthur – was looking forward to seeing these guys as I’d heard they were good. Just didn’t grab me at all

Public Acess TV – enjoyable set

Brawlers – energetic set that seemed to go down well.

Gnarlwolves – punk sound but nothing particularly interesting