Multitude Festival: live review and photo galleries

Formative Years Me would have burned my flannel shirts for a place like The Craufurd Arms. Our local club had a “Rock Night” and, upon entering the Craufurd after a brief amble down from Wolverton Station, the Proustian rush was so strong that I felt the nose piercing I no longer have itching. I was here to attend Multitude Festival, a mind-boggling feat of musical logistics across three stages. Not only was there meticulously-timetabled band action, there was also a plethora of food and drink options AND a merch tent and record stall. The organisers know how to keep everyone happy – an important role in a place like this where, I would guess, a large percent of people have travelled long distances to be here. They’re here primarily to be entertained, and here’s who entertained me…

COWZ ( Saga Wahlström and Tasha Bloom) are essentially Berocca in human form. They know where the cameras are, and they’re going to work them. They know where the crowd is, so they’re going to charm them. Even on a relatively tiny stage, they completely fill the space. Swoony harmonies (with an occasional vocoder thrown in), barbed lyrics, and some jaunty electro-bass backing make for an excellent set. It’s the sound of girls getting ready to go out for the night and wreak sparkly havoc. [Ed – actually, they were getting ready to jump in the car straight after their set, and come and play the LOUD WOMEN at Rebellion preview show at The Lexington – sparkly havoc definitely ensued!]

FURTHER READING- “Most Fun I’ve Had In Ages!“, “Psychos”, “Ur Fave Song”

Cody Frost is from Burnley, so my Northern Sensibilities Scorecard is high off the bat. An angelic voice that can instantly turn into I’ve Eaten All Of Your Pantera Albums, they are backed by The Sweethearts – all thundery guitar and powerful drumming, with a smidge of electronica thrown in. The whole band look like they’re having a brilliant time (the guitarist lipsyncing like he’s in an urgently-needed RuPaul’s Metal Drag Race). Cody’s diminutive frame belies an absolute powerhouse – they scream, bounce and generally own the stage. And the freshness of their material belies quite a chunky back catalogue, that you really should look into (I’m hooked already).

FURTHER READING- “Process”, “Wot?”, “Bloodsucka”

You can tell that Eva Sheldrake loves to take first impressions and thrown them emphatically into a bin. She takes to the stage with Eville, all limbs and bikini top, and (I have to be honest) my notes say “Like Margot Robbie joined Metallica”. But then, she effortlessly shreds a guitar into oblivion and I, as rampantly feminist as the next person, am ashamed of my snap judgement. Bassist Jude Richards, on occasional co-vocal duty, looks like your guy from Stranger Things (quick Google- Eddie Munson). Their “Brat Metal” instantly takes no prisoners and Eva’s occasional death-metal vocal turns make Biohazard sound like Minnie Riperton. They have the crowd in the palms of their hands- by the final song Eva and Jude are off-stage and getting an eager crowd to Mosh Circle around them. This is absolutely how a live show should be- attitude, rampant guitar noise and a fevered crowd jumping up and down in delight.

FURTHER READING- “Leech”, “Messy”, “Ballastic”

After a full and frank pre-set discussion about how great cats are, I already know I’m going to like Gemma Rogers. Her and her band (guitarist with neon cable, perpetually-smiling bassist and a drummer who, in this light, is the spit of Philip Seymour Hoffman) play with positivity; even a song called ‘New World Order‘ is delivered with brio and urgency. You get the feeling this band would take life’s woes and musically sort them out. There’s a hint of Parklife-era Blur in the candid, poetic delivery (that’s not an insult BTW). It’s music with a message (whether that be rubbish government, smartphones or catcalling), but it’s the opposite of worthy.

FURTHER READING- “My Idea Of Fun”, “The Great Escape“, “Never Have I Ever”

So, see you there next year, yeah? THANK YOU WOLVERTON AND GOOD NIGHT!