For the second part of our Hevy preview series (part one is here), we’re turning to the Rock Sound stage. It features some more of the finest names in hardcore and punk, and here’s who you should be watching over the weekend…
FRIDAY
1. MARMOZETS
We bang on about these guys constantly, but our “pick for 2011” are still doing exceptional strong 18 months later, and there’s never been a better time to get on board with one of the UK’s finest prospects. A band that has their age mentioned roughly every 20 words that they’re in print, Marmozets are simply excellent.
2. MIXTAPES
We’ve got them playing in London at the Old Blast Last the week after Hevy, but if you’re at Hevy you should definitely be watching these guys as well. Fantastic US pop-punk, and a perfect Friday afternoon band.
3. DEAF HAVANA
On staggeringly fine form at the moment, Deaf Havana head up the Rock Sound stage on the Friday of Hevy. James V G & Co. will bring their dry humour and chunks of hits from ‘Fools And Worthless Liars’ for a singalong close off to the stage, and they’ll probably end up surprising a few stubborn scenesters with how great they’ve become live.
SATURDAY
1. A WILHELM SCREAM
Easily one of the most anticipated bands of the weekend, AWS’s appearance on the Rock SOund stage promises to be brutual and watchable at the same time. Sandwiched between Municipal Waste and Meshuggah means they’re part of the some of the finest hours of music that the UK’s seen in years, and with the no clash set up at Hevy this year on the Punktastic / Rock Sound stages, they’ll be bound to deliver the goods.
2. GLASSJAW
Always opinion splitters, Glassjaw’s Hevy appearance promises to be something to raise eyebrows (for better or for worse), and as the band return after a headline slot a few year’s back, it’ll be very interesting to see what the setlist ends up being.
3. NORMA JEAN
Before Hevy’s weather-wise reshuffle (the rain IS coming), Norma Jean were heading up the Punktastic stage, but now they’re sub-headlining over on the Rock Sound stage and we’re still just as pumped to see them play. One of the finest hardcore bands on the planet, and well worth every second of your time while they’re on.
SUNDAY
1. DESCENDENTS
Descendents are of the most influencial punk bands of all time, and to see them close down Hevy for 2012 will be nothing short of awesome. Milo & co’s return over the last 18 months has had a few rocky moments, but we’re pretty confident that it’s going to be awesome. Because we said so.
2. HUNDRED REASONS
Hundred Reasons are saying goodbye later this year, but with a packed Hevy festival hearing a performance of ‘Ideas Above Our Station’ in full, this may well trump the sold out London and Manchester gigs later in the year. We saw HR do this at Banquet’s Big Day Out, and we’re more than happy to watch it again.
3. H2O
H2O are simply one of the bands that you can’t really fail to enjoy live. Fairly high up Sunday’s Rock Sound stage, we can’t recommend highly enough that you’re right down the front.
So, that’s our tips for the Rock Sound stage. Tomorrow will be our final preview piece on the Red Bull Bedroom Jam stage, so keep your eyes out for that in the AM!
There’s a truckload more bands worth watching across all the stage, so head to http://www.hevy.co.uk/2012/lineup/stages for the full line up!