Written By: JULIET HURWITT
Photos By: EMMA PAINTER
Having totally underestimated the traffic to Southampton, I somehow arrived in time to see NozFest’s opening act in the shape of Vambo. So pleased I did. I often wonder if it’s a mixed blessing being the opening act as sometimes it’s relatively early in the day and maybe not everyone’s arrived yet, or if it’s good to go on first and then sit back and enjoy the rest of the day? There was definitely a fan base in attendance to cheer them along, as well as those who are always ready to check out new bands, so no worries on that front. Great vocals for the varied songs, from power ballads to heavier offerings. I especially liked Fast Car, but we were also treated to a set finishing cover of Deep Purple’s Burn. There’s a new album due out in October that’ll be well worth checking out.
Fifteen minutes turn around, and next on were arguably the heaviest band of the day. Welsh band Black Lakes aren’t only memorable because one of them wears a kilt (the first case of up-kilting by a female photographer?), but because they have brilliant songs that keep you attentive the whole set. Hard, heavy riffs and vocals from the moment they opened with Exordium to closing with Dissident, moving through a selection from their debut 2022 album For All We’ve Left Behind. Not on an album yet was an apparently happy song, White Cliffs, about the politics of refugees crossing the Channel in small boats. Probably need to check out the lyrics on that one. You could feel the energy this band put into playing, and we were rewarded with an outstanding performance. They also have a second album in the pipeline.
Having also encountered traffic problems on their journey, “everywhere you turned there was a car park”, White Raven Down arrived with a more classic rock sound. Now a three-piece, who opened their set with Mind Reader and Price You Pay from their debut album Don’t Shoot The Messenger, before moving on to Salvation from the Conspiracy EP, which enlightened me to all the t-shirts with the logo #JoinTheConspiracy. Audience participation included strategic ‘whoas’ as and when required. All too soon it was the last track Roll of the Dice, and the White Raven had landed a perfect set.
Less heavy, but just as melodic, was Sam Millar & The Sass Bandits who shared with us that they had ‘sore bums’ having travelled all the way from Wigan. Good to know. We heard a selection of songs from their forthcoming, interestingly named, debut album ‘More Cheese Please’. I found the bass player especially entertaining, as he managed to headbang to most of the tracks, regardless of the speed. Also impressive was drummer Ryan, who apparently stepped in at the last minute and learnt all the songs ‘in about 50 seconds.’ Finishing their set with Strangers I’ve no doubt Sam and his Bandits now have some new fans.
Have standard lamps – will travel, aka These Wicked Rivers. Those of us who’ve seen them before are no longer surprised about the unusual stage props. What was unusual was the singer not having his hat on. Luckily it didn’t affect his voice. Opening with Shine On the blues-rock-heavy tempo was lifted and stayed for the whole set. They played my favourite Evergreen then moved on to their excellent latest song Testify, then suddenly he was announcing their last song! A moan from the audience prompted assurance that ‘it was a long song’ and finished the set with over six minutes of the haunting Don’t Pray for Me. A new album also due out soon.
Halfway through with five excellent acts so far.
And so, to the first female artist of the day with Beth Blade and the Beautiful Disasters. We were pleased they made the round trip from Cardiff, as it was well worth it to hear this lady’s amazing vocals. Not only can she sing, but also plays guitar and writes great songs too. Ramping up the energy level yet again, they played through popular tracks like Tonight I’m With You that was clearly enjoyed by the audience. An original tribute to Lemmy with her own song Jack and Coke. I think he would have approved. As an aside, I loved her hair.
You know when you see a band for the second time, you wonder if they’re going to blow you away as much as the first time? You’ll laugh when I say South Of Salem. Opening with Let Us Prey I wasn’t going anywhere for the next forty minutes. Usually a five-piece band, tonight they were seven as two cheerleaders, dressed in black with matching pompoms, joined them for a number of songs. We were also treated to the first live performance of some new material like Static from the soon to be released second album Death Of The Party. Now for my case of misheard lyrics. I was going to refer to this as their Wizard of Oz song, but on checking the CD I bought (as well as being lucky enough to get a set list signed) it turns out that No Plague Like Home isn’t No Place Like Home!! OK, personal joke, but it still makes me laugh when I listen to it. All too soon they were finishing with Cold Day in Hell, and myself and many others are going to have to get another fix on their October and November tour.
Who on earth could follow that performance? In a totally different vein, but equally entertaining, it could only be Collateral. A band full of big smiles, big personalities, and big songs. Opening appropriately with Mr. Big Shot it was time for the party to continue. Also with a second album due out soon, if the new songs played tonight Sin in the City andGlass Sky are anything to go by, it’s going to be excellent. There was no need to apologise for their absence if this is what they’re coming back with. Another rapid forty minutes later and Merry Go Round completes Collateral’s set tonight.
So good to see Hollowstar back on stage, especially as they’re only doing five gigs this year, NozFest felt very lucky indeed. Explanations for their absence included Phil and Joe making babies with their respective missus, and recording a new album. Playing firm favourites including the opening Take it All right through to the closing anthem ofAll I Gotta Say. In-between we heard some new tracks, Price of Fame about people you meet at the top of an organisation, and Little Miss Innocent about meeting your school peers in adult life (I think). As a band, Hollowstar have always aimed to raise awareness of social issues (Good Man Gone) and long may they continue to do so.
Nine most excellent bands performed their hearts out, gave fans a fantastic day, hopefully sold some merchandise to support them, and I’m sure gained many new fans.
But it’s not over yet! The final band introduction of the day quite rightly is reserved for Jodie Bowie, the brains and brawn driving this amazing one day, weatherproof, festival. In answer to her question…YES we want a NozFest 2024! Pretty please.
That only left Jodie to introduce the first female NozFest headliner, the honour of which went to Chez Kane. Coming on stage to Def Leppard’s Pour Some Sugar On Me, Chez quickly took over with I Just Want You which was reminiscent of Heart. Chez powered her way through twelve songs, many of which were from her already released second album, including Love Gone Wild and Ball n’ Chain. The penultimate song tonight took the title track Powerzone which had the audience singing along. Her self-proclaimed ‘sexy song’ Get it On was from her debut album, as was her closing and therefore last song of the festival Rocket on the Radio. The band and audience clearly had a good time.
And that, ladies and gentlemen was NozFest 2023. I hope you’re enjoying your new t-shirts, CDs, etc at your leisure. Don’t forget to preorder those CDs, buy tickets for any upcoming gigs, and continue supporting live music. If the taste of the new material is a sign of what’s to come, 2024 is going to be AWESOME!!
View the full photo gallery here – https://emergingrockbands.co.uk/photo-gallery-no…t-12-august-2023/