Brighton's one and only rock festival returns for its second year at the Brighton racecourse

Home for Breakout Festivals for the day is the glorious Brighton racecourse. Sat at on the top of Brighton, overlooking the coastline and the City centre. Upon the day of the festival the sun was shining, it was a lovely day. It was a relatively small, compact site with one stage, a few food outlets,and several stalls selling T-shirts and merchandise and the all important outside and inside bars. There was also two inflatable gladiator style games which were well-received throughout the day especially when the alcohol was kicking in.

The festival consists of 14 diverse bands coming together for one day. They hail from all across the country and the first band of the day was at 10:40 a.m. (Which is an early start for most rockers!)

The first band I saw was Zoax fronted by Adam Carroll. Adam made a point of letting everyone know that that was a strict no swearing policy on stage and that he would replace the swear words with the word potato. Adam was pacing up and down the stage, jumping around but this clearly wasn't enough room. Therefore he decided to join the crowd by running around doing his thing. He then spotted the gladiator ring, climbed in grabbed a giant boxing glove and proceeded to punch the crowd. As this was early in the day it was kind of unappreciated.

Next up was Black Tongue we were told this is one to watch. The musical style was on the heavier side with the roaring vocals. This did put some of the crowd off; they played a short 4 song set.

Then it was time for TRC, an 8 man wrecking machine from North West London. Fusing rock and grime, a change of pace that the crowds were much appreciative of.

Heck were formerly Baby Godzilla. ‘It's mother flipping brilliant' to be here Matt Reynolds exclaims to the crowd-Flipping due to the festivals strict no swearing policy. The crowd was building throughout the first two songs and during the second song Matt decided it would be more interesting to start singing in the crowd,a mosh pit then created the band ended up playing most of their set in the crowd. HECK were definitely a real crowd pleaser.

Martyr Defiled had the hard task of following Heck. They came out with their Death Metal/Hardcore style which the crowed engaged with.

Then a welcome return from last year the Brighton based The Qemists. If you have never seen them before they are heavily influenced by the Prodigy with their rock-rap over a heavy bass backing, they drew one of the biggest crowds of the day with the punters all bouncing along.

At the end of the Qemists set, the sun was setting and the temperature dropped. This was good for the indoors bar area which it seemed like everyone was using to warm up before the next act.

In my opinion the band was a little to indie and not heavy enough for the festival goers.The band put in a very tight performance and as a home grown talent go down very well. The single ‘Your Revolution' was particularly well received.

We Are The Ocean had the near impossible task of following The Qemists. They play a very professional generic rock set with lead singer's Liam Cromby's vocal's spot on. Unfortunately, the crowd are fairly unresponsive but you feel this more to do with the very hard rock line up previously and the band don't exactly fit. A real shame but the band solider on with their set.

The biggest crowd of the day belongs to SikTh. The energy from the crowd is huge and the band feed from every bit. There is a very impressive light show throughout the performance. This is their first show in Britain in a long time and the spectators are very appreciative of it. They are heartily welcomed back.

Deaf Havana finally take to the stage over twenty minutes late. There are a few technical issues throughout the set which mean the vocals are often ‘lost'. The band become frustrated and the crowd even more so. It seems a shame to finish the festival like this but the band put a brave face and muscle on.

Verdict

A good attempt at a universal rock festival. Once the sound issues are addressed and the line up re looked at it really could be one to watch on the future.

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