SPECIAL ISSUE
Bigger, better and louder than ever, Camden Rocks was back in North London for a sold out summer Saturday, transforming the area in one massive street party. It went from 4 to 20 venues and multiple headlining acts including Bullet for My Valentine, New Model Army, Skindred and The Dictators NYC, but in 2015 like in its debut 2009 edition, Camden Rocks has stayed loyal to its spirit: a celebration of this unique area of London and its long music tradition, spilling from pubs and clubs on the roads of N1, punters blending with tourists and artists walking around with guitars and amps in hand. On this sun blessed Saturday, the crawl starts at about midday, first stop the legendary World’s End where wristbands can be collected. We know by now there’s no way to catch all the gigs we’d like to, especially towards the end when all venues will be packed, queues of hopefuls forming outside; but Camden Rocks is about discovering your new favourite band after all, and the first few hours are the best to go hunting. While on the look for next big thing, you might even find your next regular North London boozer. It’s a bit like an all-you-can-eat buffet, where you eagerly pick a bit of everything with curiosity and enthusiasm at the beginning, only to end up feeling full before the main course; even if the main looks good and you can’t find the space, you still go home a happy diner. And the taste buds in our ears were definitely delighted by the music banquet on offer this year… Amongst those we managed to check out were Walkway, The Amorettes, The Fourfits, Glen Matlock, Chinese Missy, Gun, Trampolene, Lostgravity and Bullet for My Valentine. We also talked to a few acts on the bill, interviews to be featured in our regular July issue of Sonic Shocks Magazine - thanks to Division PR for arranging and Gilgamesh for hosting the press area this year, we’ll be back for dinner soon!
A big thanks of course to Chris McCormack for making it happen and keeping the true spirit of rock’n’roll alive, and to the best festival crowd ever. Last but not least, the biggest chunk of love goes to our beloved, unique, magic Camden Town. Seeing the right half of the Lock demolished breaks our heart and we live in hope the development is not going to change the face of one of London most famous alternative hangouts. I must say, the fact the area is now owned by Teddy Sagi - Israeli billionaire, property tycoon and technology entrepreneur who has made hundreds of millions from the gambling industry and was jailed for nine months in 1994 for insider trading and bribery - doesn’t fill me with the utmost confidence, with The Black Cap and Purple Turtle being the latest casualties of Camden’s long time feared gentrification. I don’t know how many venues will still be standing by this time next year, but I know the spirit will be alive and kicking; what I’ve seen in the streets today takes some doing to kill. And while we wait for Camden Rocks 2016, we can all put up a hell of a fight by supporting live music - bands and venues - and independent traders in the area. Choose to have your pint where live music is played, choose unique establishments versus corporations, buy a CD or a t-shirt if you like what you hear and if you’re feeling peckish after have a pub lunch or try some of the amazing street food on offer. And enjoy it while it lasts…
WALKWAY
12:00 @ Jazz Cafe One of the opening acts playing to a an almost capacity crowd at the Jazz Cafe, this south east four piece have a thread of traditional eighties rock with hooks and licks a plenty. But with a guitarist resembling Eddie Van Halen, what would you expect!
THE AMORETTES 13:00 @ Proud
This three piece all girl band from Scotland also know how to pull in the crowd. Ten minutes before their stage time, the Proud was almost empty. Two minutes before their stage time, it was almost capacity! Delivering bare bones rock, you can see why they were picked by Europe and Black Star Riders for touring!
THE FOURFITS 15:00 @ Hawley Arms
Getting the crowd dancing at the Hawley is not easy. This all girl band of sisters managed though! Local lasses from Camden, some classically trained (musically) deliver their own brand of Rock to the delight of the crowd. Good to listen to, good to look at, and great to talk to (if you can bare four ladies talking to you at the same time!)
Not even 4 o'clock and the crowd's already excited...
GLEN MATLOCK 17:30 @ Proud
Old timer Glen from the Sex Pistols performing a stand alone with an acoustic delivers well. Covering some of his own material, songs he was involved in, and of course‌ Pretty Vacant! Not bad for a solo old timer, and a great warm up for Gun.
CHINESE MISSY 18:30 @ the Barfly
They got my curiosity with a video of Cameron and Osborne in pink underwear dancing in a public toilet, and with a live performance like this they got my full attention. Rock'n'roll at its rawest.
Ok, I guess it was a musical full immersion, but maybe this guy took it a tad too seriously... He probably melted way before the aftershow!
GUN
18:45 @ Proud ThE venue was at capacity before Gun reached the stage. With a thirty metre queue outside these guys from Scotland having thirty years in the business delivered new material as well as old and proved they still have what it takes to fill a venue and please a crowd. Of course their penultimate song ‘Word Up’ rocking Camden off its feet.
TRAMPOLENE 19:00 @ The Enterprise Shopping at Poundland will never be the same... Our favourites for next big thing, and the crowd seems to agree. Koko residency in July, get your tickets now. But first head here to find out more: https://www.youtube.com/user/ TrampoleneOfficial
LOSTGRAVITY
19:30 @ Barfly (Downstairs) Having gone through a line-up change, these guys have come out fighting with new energy. The crowded venue seemed to appreciate them although i’m not sure some of the none festival goers walking past the venue were in agreement. As Breno would say “Rock On”!
BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE 21:30 @ the Electric Ballroom
What can I say, packed venue, disapointed fans queuing outside, packed photo pit, all a prelude to the band arriving and driving the crowd into a frenzy. Great way to end the day!
and now one for the crowd...
...one for the ladies...
...one for the lads...
...one for rock'n'roll...
....and one for our Camden!
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SEE YOU NEXT YEAR FOLKS!