Firstly, thank you, Decolonise Fest, for what was a spectacular rainbow of talent, multiculturalism and punk by people of colour, alive and very, very well. It felt like a lion’s roar against fascism and hate, and a platform for voices that are too often unheard, particularly women of colour who are still not given the space in the music industry they deserve.
Signature Brew Blackhorse Road, with its gritty, industrial, grimy aesthetic, exposed pipes and deconstructed dive-bar feel, was the perfect home for it. Add fantastic production and the whole thing felt less like simply attending a festival and more like stepping into an experience.
The day started with workshops and conversations, including Flags for Fairness, DIY Bell Assembly and Fight Back Against the Far Right. There was a warm welcome and an open floor for people to explore ideas, talk and build community before the music began. As the bands started soundchecking, we got little tasters of the flavours to come. Outside, the sun was still shining, giving us another chance to appreciate the amazing outfits on display across a crowd of all ages.
But clothes, hair, skin, women and alternative musicians still all feel the weight of injustice and prejudice. Decolonise Fest gives people of colour the stage to rage, to be appreciated fully and fairly, and to feel safe doing it. That is the key to what makes this event so special. By the end of the night, everyone felt more like family than simply fans.
People of colour, and particularly women of colour, experience injustice socially, politically, financially and musically. The people on those stages were inspirational, not simply because of what they represent, but because of their undeniable talent. These are artists to be proud of, and I was proud to be there watching them.
eatboys. hit me personally. I think every woman in that room felt something in their words. We were given context to lyrics about being the girl who never fitted in, about being the odd one out at school, and turning that experience into music and defiance.
Their lyrics and heavy riffs became an outcry for every different girl. That is what makes their music so infectious: they tell you a story that feels deep and burning, while the friendship and support between them is obvious on stage. With band members of different races and genders, and two women absolutely killing it on guitar, there was something brilliant about watching them together.
At points, it felt like a punk singalong to my inner monologue, or an angrier Alanis Morissette. ‘Pity Party’ gave every woman in the room licence to be cunty in true punk style, and I cannot get enough of it. It also put a huge smile on my face to see so much curly hair swinging carefree around that room.
Then Uninvited really ramped things up. The lead singer’s honeyed tones drew everyone in as the sun went down, like a Venus flytrap pulling us towards those naughty riffs and breakdowns that make you want to screw up your face and bite your lip.
As the set grew darker, the temperature in the room rose with it. Signature Brew’s exposed pipework added to the underground feeling, while people of all ages danced and found freedom and joy together. There were metal vibes, a crowd-surfer or two, and breakdowns that kept catching you off guard. Particular attention has to go to the guitarist: woop!
As queer alternative women making music together, Uninvited are a perfect example of artists refusing to let the powers that be in a still heavily male-led industry rob them of their passion or their fight. There was joy on their faces but fierceness in the set, full of feel-good jump-around melodies and filthy drums.
Dygora brought a darker turn, followed by Third Kulture, whose grinding guitars made me want to wind my hips and headbang at the same time. There was something almost sensual about it, with angelic female vocals adding another, almost spiritual level while the verses punched through with political fire.
Third Kulture follow their own genre and their own tempo, bringing serious Caribbean flavour and influence into the mix. The guitarist’s growl could be felt right in your gut, while the newer addition of female vocals brought attitude, atmosphere and another dimension to the sound. It was mesmerising, spiritual, ethereal and haunting, pulling everyone tight towards the stage.
From there, the tension and energy kept building. Dygora had already brought some serious heaviness, and Mashaal let the fury fly with a raw, don’t-give-a-fuck stage presence that the audience soaked up completely. Mosh pits opened, bodies moved and all that energy that had been simmering through the day was finally let loose.
And then Frozemode shut it down. Pure electric charisma. They closed the show by completely purging the stage of whatever energy we had left, ending the day with a bang and sending everyone out hyped, positive and ready to keep fighting fascism while supporting underground music and culture.
I want to pay particular attention to eatboys. and Uninvited because these musicians pour their hearts into the messages they are sending: be loud, be proud and do not let anybody put you down for being different. Do not be made to feel uncomfortable in your own skin. Be proud of the music you love and the way you express yourself, whether that is headbanging in the crowd, supporting artists or picking up an instrument yourself.
The whole day felt like an uprising for people from cultures too often forgotten or pushed aside in alternative music. It was a celebration of modern alternative culture and genuine artists. Seeing so much curly hair swinging in that room under the strobe lights, with people of all ages front and centre, genuinely meant something to me.
By the end of the night everyone seemed like one big family. People were talking, hugging and looking out for each other. It was a fantastic representation of what our communities in the UK can create despite prejudice and judgement, and what can happen when people come together to fight for a better world and a more diverse music scene, across race, sexuality, gender and religion.
My god, Decolonise Fest, did you represent.
Thank you. I was proud to be there representing LOUD WOMEN and my heritage.