Fighting With Wire photo courtesy of: Ben Morse
Getting into a nice routine we returned to the BBC Introducing sessions at The Greenhouse stage. This time round we were treated to up and coming singer-songwriter Andy Oliveri whose heartfelt introspective tunes were just the right sort of come down needed after the excitement of the day before. This coupled with a set from The Cadbury Sister, whose gorgeous harmonies sounded angelic, perfectly suited the sunny morning and set our day off to a great start.
Crossing over to the Main Stage to catch Alcopop’s Stagecoach, their set of perfectly crafted pop songs got everyone dancing despite the overbearing midday heat. Their debut album may have been a long time in the making but it was well worth the wait. On the strength of their songwriting and this competent festival set, catch these lads live before they get massive.
TTNG, the band formerly known as This Town Needs Guns, had a few confused looks as they brought their experimental math rock to the Main Stage. But thanks to their likeable frontman Henry Treiman and impressive technical skill, they won around many of those who were sceptical at first.
Playing their penultimate show Derry’s Fighting With Wire had to battle with the Main Stage’s unpredictable sound issues throughout their set but ultimately they came out on top. With frequent shouts of “don’t break up” the small but dedicated crowd that had gathered to watch them were eager to shower the trio with as much love as possible . Treating the crowd to a set heavy on older material, the crowd’s enthusiastic reaction showed that Fighting With Wire are clearly a band that means a hell of a lot to a small group of people. They’ll be missed.
We Are The Ocean were all guns a-blazing as they showed exactly why they deserve to be rock’s next biggest band. Running through many songs from 11′ ‘Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow’ album, lead singer Liam Cromby voice was full of confidence. They’ve got the melodies, they’ve got the stage presence now they just need the big break.
Having arrived early for That Fucking Tank, The Cave tent look alarmingly underpopulated, it had the potential to be an embarrassing spectacle. However, thankfully just as this bawdry Leed’s duo were about to take the stage, plenty of 2000 trees’ rock fans convened at the The Cave, filling up the tent considerably. Without uttering a word, That Fucking Tank got straight down to business, playing their fierce brand of rock n’ roll, they proved that lyrics aren’t needed to keep a crowd entertained.
Closing up the whole festival were Belfast’s And So I Watch You From Afar who headlined the Cave tent, their transient cerebral post-rock was a heady intoxicating mix. The intense atmosphere inside the Cave tent was something hardly matched all weekend. A great way to end what is undoubtedly the UK’s best small festival. Until next time.
CLARA CULLEN