Loud Women Festival was amazing. So many superb bands, a lot new to me who I will definitely be seeing again. So much work gone into organising this to make it an incredible day.
Cassie of course being at the forefront of this fantastic event and being part of the wonderful I, Doris who played a brilliant set as part of this. Dunstan Bruce joining them for a couple of songs Not Done Yet which he sings on & Cowboys Cry Too where he wore a cowboy hat and played coconuts to make horse noises.
Julie Riley. Stepping in at the very last minute to open Loud Women Festival as a band pulled out.
Julie was already working hard at the event so was was very busy all day so to open this was a privilege to watch and an absolute treat. She’s usually part of I am Her and formerly of Rosa Mota who I saw many years ago. An absolute fantastic set of just her singing with an electric guitar making a fine noise and a voice of such strong character. She said she usually uses acoustic but everything about this was brilliant. To just step in and do this just shows what an absolute talent to kick things off the perfect start to set the mood for an amazing day.
Murder Club. What I love about Loud Women festival it introduces me to bands I’ve not heard before. Murder Club a few years ago was one of ‘em and I since saw them do a few dates supporting The Wedding Present. So was so happy to see them back at Loud Women playing a fantastic set. A good few newer songs in there as well as tracks from their ep. They mix it up in styles with their take on noisey indie pop and punk rock or just pop and sharing lead vocals. Also one of 2 bands doing a song about the ladies toilets! What an excellent set from this top Welsh band.
Chloe Hawes and the Holy Claws. So one of the many new to me at Loud Women Festival and just went to prove what great bands have been chosen to do this. I always love to hear new music this is the best way to go about it. Despite being one down when it came to the Holy Claws this was a brilliant energetic set of wonderfully crafted pop but really rocking out. Chloe who was full of great banter saying be careful when pronouncing Hawes! Also singing these songs with a great deal of passion.
Yacko. All the way from Indonesia. This set was such a wonderful thing in many ways. She told the story of how she saw a poster in Brick Lane for the festival a year or so ago. The whole ethos of the festival resonated with her so she contacted Loud Women hoping she could one day play it. There she was in a packed room. Thanking those who made it happen. It was a dream come true and for those watching an incredible experience. She rapped her way with sheer energy through this set to a background of many styles of electronic music and beats including drum n bass saying its her biggest influence. Stong messages and visuals throughout and being very vocal in the strive for women’s rights in Indonesia stating things are finally improving. She worked the crowd perfectly people were dancing and chanting along to her songs. It was as powerful a set as it was emotional. So lucky to have her here to perform this.
Bridget. This one was of the things at Loud Women Festival I was looking forward to most as Bridget is someone I was long overdue to see. Some were surprised I hadn’t up until then. Well It certainly wont be the last. This was incredible a sheer adrenalin rush a powerful mix of dirty rock and punk. So much energy too she really went for it all over the stage and into and above the crowd giving it absolutely all. Well blown away by this so glad I finally caught her live and as I say there will be more.