Desertfest - Daughter of Spades & Will of Spades reports

Desertfest 2018

This weekend I got to go to Desertfest in London along with my boyfriend Will. It was the first time attending this festival for the both of us, so we didn’t really know what to expect. I am a massive fan of festivals, and going to my favourite ones are usually one of the highlights of my summers every year. The festivals I normally attend are usually set out on the country side and have a camping site which makes for a nice community feel and a complete escape from everyday life. Since Desertfest is set in Camden, central London it doesn’t have a camping site for it’s visitors which worried me slightly. Would the festival be able to create that sort of belonging and  secludedness that other events have? The lineup for this years edition of the festival was very strong so I thought that the great bookings would at least make up for the lack of camping site and party, but as soon as we arrived I saw that my scepticism was for nothing.

Desertfest has a small street closed off especially for the visitors of the festival where you can purchase a bit of merchandise and have a drink in the sun, and this little area is where we spent most of our time between gigs. It was very well set up and added that feeling of community that I was afraid would be missing. As this was Wills first time at an event like this he also really appreciated being able to sit there and reflect upon the shows, meet new people and just generally have a great time. 

So over all we were really pleased with the organisation of Desertfest and I can’t really find anything to complain about. The shows were well set up and within short distances of each other, the closed off street was great and the visitors were equally as fantastic as everything else. The only thing I can note as a problem was that the organisers might have under estimated the popularity of certain bands, like Dopelord. I was very excited for this particular show but we ended up leaving after about 3 songs due to the venue being so overcrowded. Since they were playing at a small pub there wasn’t a lot of space, and the security seemed to just let people in without checking if the venue was at capacity or not. I am only 4.11 in height which causes enough issues as it is when it comes to going to concerts, but when a place is so packed that people can hardly move and it’s extremely hot it just becomes impossible for me to stand it. 

I don’t want to drag on for too long about the festival in general as i feel that I have mentioned the things I needed to mention. We were obviously mainly there to catch some gigs. We did only have 24 hours to spend at Desertfest which was very sad as we enjoyed ourselves massively, but we managed to catch some fantastic shows, and one not so fantastic show within those hours.  Let’s just start with the good bits. 

Radio Moscow

I knew very little of this band before Desertfest, and hadn’t really planned to watch the show, but we wanted to make sure we were on time for Jex Thoth who was playing right after in the same venue. I am very happy that we got to see the last half of the Radio Moscow show because it was really a pleasant surprise. 

This trio was explosive on stage and you could tell that they enjoyed themselves. This is something I find very important in live shows. If I can tell that the band are loving what they’re doing I am more likely to enjoy it. This was very much the case with Radio Moscow. The audience were really enjoying the show (at least from what I could see) and I did find myself stomping along to the intense and deep drums more often than I didn’t. Something i normally find a bit annoying is guitar solos, or solos of any kind that drag on for longer than they need to, but i was surprised to find myself feeling excited and impressed by the long solos this band played through out the gig. 

This was truly a talented group of guys! 

Jex Thoth

i think this gig was the one that both me and Will looked forward to the most. For me it wasn’t the first time seeing them live, but for Will it was. I was excited to see what he would think of it. 

As soon as Jex steps on stage you’re transported into some trans like state, and it is magical. It is almost as if she can feel the music in her body, and her stage presence alone is enough to really drag you in deep. That stage presence that she is so well known for, along with the fantastic band makes for a very intense and memorable show and I do urge everyone to take the chance to see Jex Thoth live when you get the chance.

Will was very impressed with gig as well, but felt that he wasn’t in the right mood for her slow paced, heavy sound at the time. Most likely because we had enjoyed a few beers at that point and he was feeling a bit up beat. I however enjoyed this set more than the first time I saw them in Sweden a few years ago. The only downside was that her beautiful voice got a bit drowned out by the band if she wasn’t pushing as hard as she could. 

Napalm Death

I felt that Napalm Death was a slightly odd booking for a festival who focuses on stoner and doom rock, but they are a very popular band who attracts a big audience. The Electric Ballroom was packed with people for the show, and although I myself have never been a massive fan of Napalm Death I thought we might as well have a little look. 

It was obvious that people were very excited for the gig, but for us it just fell flat. It did however seem like we were the only ones who didn’t have a good time. Most of the songs felt like they melted together and there wasn’t any good variation to keep things interesting. Along with the music not being to our taste, the performance didn’t make it any better. Watching Napalm Death on stage was like watching a mid life crisis unfold in real time. Mark Greenway jumps around on stage almost non stop but it just looks messy and slightly forced. When he is not jumping around like a madman he describes the meaning of songs as a criticism of the way society is. These descriptions sound like something that would come out of an angsty teenagers mouth and it’s hard to take it seriously when it’s actually coming from a middle aged man. 

I really do think that Napalm Death would have been better to book for another festival. 

So this concludes my thoughts about Desertfest 2018. Both me and Will had such a fantastic time, and are already talking about going back next year to hopefully be able to attend all 3 days. I highly recommend anyone who loves doom and stoner rock to plan their visit. 

And finally, a massive thank you to Desertfest for having us there and letting us write this review! We will see you next year again, I’m sure!

https://www.facebook.com/DesertfestLondon/

Desrtfest London warmup again.

So we have now gone through Friday and Saturday, of the Desertfest London, and that leaves us at the closing day Sunday.

This is by far the most problematic day for me to get my head around, as this day brings collisions in abundance for me.

The bands I really would like to see this day are as follows:
The Necromancers, King Buffalo, Hawkwind and Monster Magnet. But as I just got the chance to see King Buffalo the other day, I guess that it would be The Necromancers for me on this occasion.

The bands leading up to the Hawkwind gig, is more or less an open book for me, but I guess that Chrch would be Sundays opening act closely followed by LLNN.
And as Hawkwind is important for me and Nebula is a great band who are playing just before, makes a natural selection.

Now we just have to wait and see what Spader Daughter And Will of Spades cooks up for us at the festival. I'm excited and I hope you are as well.

More info:
http://www.desertfest.co.uk/home

The Desertfest warmup continues

Last article was a chart of how my Friday of the London Desertfest would look like, if I was attending, so the natural step is of course to continue with the scheme of Saturday.
But first I have to make a correction of yesterdays article, as it's not Old Man Wizard that are opening the Friday set, but Old Man Lizard. I guess it's down to my Old Man Eyes, that I got it wrong (or wishful thinking). But what the heck, I could give them a try instead.

The first act I would take a look at would probably be Admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell even if I never heard much of them earlier. But they have the coolest band name of the starting acts and sometimes that's enough. Then over to this festival's busiest man , Wino for his acoustic set (he plays on Friday too with The Obsessed). You can never get to much Win(e)o.
After that it would be a period of drinks and refreshments I guess, as the next act I would like to see are Dead Witches, follow directly by Black Rainbows, even if I would have to cut their set short to be able to get to see The Watchers. A gig that probably would be the highlight of the day for me.
Which is leaving the final act open since I don't rally have any direct favorites among the closing acts this night. I would say I'm leaning towards Darkher at this point. Which concludes Saturday for me.

But as said yesterday, this might not be what my corespondents are going to cover at all. Til' next time.... 



More info:
http://www.desertfest.co.uk/home

Warming up for Desertfest London

So, this upcoming weekend the London based version of Deserttfest kicks of, and even if I myself wont be there, Spader Ess (Ace Of Spades) will have reporters in place.

The big city festival attracts with an abundance of good bands. What would I try to see myself if I was there? Well, here comes my dream list for the festival kicking of with Friday.

I would start at "The Underworld" scene, or it would be here I would reside more or less the whole day. 
First of with the amazing Old Man Wizard followed by the Black Wizards and Black Moth. I would probably stay even for Freedom Hawk. Then quickly head head over to "Koko" to The Obsessed. 
So far nothing coincides gig wise, but now it gets a little trickier. Stay for our Swedish pride Graveyard or mosy on back to the previous location for Jex Toth? Hard one, haven't seen any of them live but wanted to for a long time. It might all cook down to what mood I was at the time. Probably I would go for Graveyard in the end.

After this, it's a no brainer again. Of to "The Devonshire Arms" for Dopelord and after a little R&R, finish the night at "The Electric Ballroom" watching old time favorites ASG.

But this is my list, What the festival correspondents Spader Daughter and Will of Spades are going to attend, who knows? I have a few guesses though...

More info:
http://www.desertfest.co.uk/home

Konsert : King Buffalo på Undergången/Slaktkyrkan 2018-04-25

Äntligen fick jag chansen att se mina gamla favoriter King Buffalo live på en scen i Stockholm. Den som läst bloggen länge vet att dom dök upp på min radar i spillrorna av sin förra skepnad, Velvet Elvis. Den demo som det nybildade King Buffalo levererade bara månader efter att Velvet hade upplösts, var en knock. Som demo betraktad var den löjligt välproducerad, och vilka låtar sedan. Detta är inte första gången man spelar i Sverige, Göteborg har haft ett besök av Rochester-grabbarna tidigare, men detta var alltså Stockholmspremiär.

Jag blev verkligen inte besviken. Det blev nästan ännu tydligare live, långt från studions möjligheter, hur denna trio magisk väver ihop trummor, bas, gitarr och sång. Hur man på bara tre man kan låta så harmoniskt och komplext, utan att för den delen bli överarbetade. Mitt stora intryck är värmen i låtarna. Sean Mcvay's förtrollande röst, som både låter stark och spröd på samma gång. Scott Donaldson's energiska trummande som lägger en stabil grund. Dan Reynolds bas som både fyller Scotts trum-groove, och samtidigt harmoniskt agerar kompgitarr  till Seans otroliga sologitarr. Så jäkla överväldigande snyggt. De till synes sömlösa övergångarna mellan det skira, flummiga psykedeliska, till blytunga bombastiska krevader av rå energi. 

Det var även första gången för min del att besöka Undergången på konsertlokalen Slaktkyrkan, även det en positiv upplevelse. Skönt ställe och hyfsat bra ljud. Hit kommer jag gärna tillbaka. Att man dessutom bokar bra band är ju en stor fördel.


Det var roligt att byta några ord i merch-båset med Scott och Dan. Inte dumt heller att kunna plocka hem en ny signerad godsak till samlingen.
Vilket osökt för mig in på en passande liten brasklapp för den nära framtiden, då King Buffalo även kommer att spela på DesertFest i London mellan den 4:e och 6:e Maj. Som det ser ut nu så kommer Spader Ess att ha representanter där (Spader Dotter o kanske Will of Spades). Detta kommer att innebära att det stundtals blir artiklar på Engelska, efter önskemål av festivalarrangörerna. Troligen av blandad kvalitet, bättre med dom i England och sämre med mig. :-)

http://kingbuffalo.com/
https://kingbuffalo.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/kingbuffaloband/

https://www.facebook.com/undergangen/
http://www.slaktkyrkan.se/
http://www.desertfest.co.uk/home 


Somewhat scetchy English version:
----------------------------------------------------
At last I got the chance to see my old favorites King Buffalo live on stage in Stockholm.
Those who read the blog for a longer time know that they first appeared on my radar in the ruins
of their former shape, Velvet Elvis. The demo that the newly formed King Buffalo delivered
only months after Velvet had dissolved was a knockout. As a demo, it was ridiculously well-produced,
and the songs, the songs....
This is not the first time they play in Sweden. Gothenburg have had a visit of the Rochester guys earlier, but
this was their Stockholm Premiere.

And I was not disappointed. It became even clearer for me live, far from the possibilitys of the studio, how this trio magically weaves drums, bass, guitar and song. How just three you can sound so harmonious and complex, without being overworked.
My big impression for the night is the warmth of the songs. Sean Mcvay's enchanting voice, which sounds both strong and brittle at the same time. Scott Donaldson's energetic drumming that puts a stable foundation for the music. Dan Reynold's bass, which both fills in with Scott's drum-groove, and at the same time harmoniously acts as a rythm guitar to Sean's incredible solo pieces. So fucking overwhelmingly handsome, to be blunt. The seemingly seamless transitions between the sheer and hazy psychedelic to right out leaden bursts of raw energy.

It was also the first time for me to visit the Slaktkyrkan (Slaughter church), also a positive experience. Nice place with pretty good sound. I will gladly come back. Additionally, booking good bands is a big advantage.

It was also nice to say get to say hi to Scott and Dan in the merch booth. Also it's good to go home with a new signed treat to the collection.

Which gives me an opportunity for a future disclaimer of sorts. As King Buffalo will play at DesertFest in London between the 4th and 6th of May. As it seems now, Spader Ess will have representatives there (Spader Daughter and maybe Will of Spades). Therefore, from now on some of be articles will be in English, as requested by the festival organizers. Probably of mixed quality, better when done by those in England and worse when done by me. :-)