My first job was to the Forest Fair in Endcliffe Park to set up the Beaumont Bags stall, where there was plenty of nice local arts, crafts and food on offer along with fair ground rides and acoustic vibes, showing a completely different side to the festival. Once that was up and running i made my way into town to the new Genting Casino for the press breakfast where champagne, eggs benedict and bacon sandwiches were on the menu, oh my, it was a hell of a way to up morale.
Across the road it was time for the first lot of music in the O2 Academy where members of You Animals, Sky Larkin and Hookworms members joined forces in some kind of under-the-radar 'supergroup' as Menace Beach. Their short but sweet-as set was scuzz filled nineties grunge with a fresh twist and Ryan's brilliant song writing is still prominent despite the feedback.
Having some time on my hands i had a wander to the main stage but not a lot was going on so i brought myself back to the Academy and was surprisingly blown away by Manchester girl outfit Pins who had riot grrrl tendencies, great presence and a manifesto to deliver.
Following Pins was Thumpers who take simple structures and turn them into something complex as they layer vocals to create something interesting and memorable pop. There's a load of bands around at the moment who think that adding a synthesizer makes them stand out but it's just lazy. Thumpers use it like a band member rather than a tool helping them master creative pop and big chorus'.
The Cathedral is probably the most beautiful venues in the city, even during building work it is still a wonderful sight and David J. Roch's haunting vocals and intense heartbreak songs belong in places like this. The Dronfield born singer-songwriter is really quite special, his voice so powerful, the songs so delicate are bound together by raw emotion so strong there is no light at the end of a tunnel needed.
It had been a long day, I called it time for music and filled my belly with a curry and booze.
