WORDS AND IMAGES DESH KAPUR
SUNDAY TRAMLINES
It had rained all night and as we arrived at Tramlines for Sunday it was still raining, the start had been delayed again due to the rain.
The Showgrounds was full, the rain hadn’t seemed to put anyone of, their made of strong stuff in the North, but it was muddy, very muddy, and the festival organizers had done an amazing job to even get the festival open.
My list of bands and artists was busy but not as full as the day before, due to the rain and trying to keep my camera gear from getting wet, but I was going to do the best I could, Wunderhorse, Professor Green, The Zutons, Bilk, Black Honey, were just of few of the acts I was hoping to check out.
My first port of call was straight to the main stage for Liverpool indie legends The Zutons, singer Dave McCabe looks gloriously dishevelled, with long brown curls and a beard completed by a thick Scouse brogue, and Abi Harding looks stunning as per usual. The Zutons have always had a very distinct sound – a heady mix of sax and rock n roll, their brand of ’60s retro rock, and live it’s something pretty special. Dipping into the best bits of their back catalogue, and its ‘Valerie’ that brings the house down, the noise was so loud with cheers and singing
Then it was over to the Leadmill stage for Bilk armed with great three chords songs and the truth about what it’s like being a young adult in the UK right now being bored, unemployed, nights out, trips to the drive-thru, minimum-wage dead-end jobs, social (media) pressures, no opportunities, politicians without conscience, eat, sleep, repeat. And it’s delivered in music that’s loud and fast and uplifting and catchy as f&^k. If Blink 182 had sex with the Sex Pistols, they would have Bilk babies, nuff said
Staying at the Leadmill stage for another band I had never seen before Liverpool band Courting, call them post-punk, 90’s Alt rock I have even read them referred to as one of the bands at the forefront of the new Britpop, I don’t care about all that, they were great from start to finish and I urge you to go and see them soon. Oh yeah, and the `hooter’s sweatshirt and skirt were perfect.
Then it was through the mud to T’Other stage for retro hipsters Black Honey. Black Honey have such a knack for combining infectious melodies with aggressive riffs and they’re loud and raucous, it’s a beautiful mix of indie-rock and guitar-driven pop they are a true rock’n’roll band and along with the packed-out tent I loved it.
Wunderhorse were up next on the Leadmill stage, and I was looking forward to this, Wonderhorse is a band id wanted to check out for quite a while now and today was the day, and they were as good as I hoped they would be. In the past six months alone, they’ve supported Fontaines D.C. and the Pixies on their tours. Intense and grungy, guitar-based indie rock anthems I’m getting Radiohead, Pablo Honey, and The Bends vibes, and that tells you how good this band are, it’s clear Wunderhorse is destined for bigger things, bigger stages, and bigger venues. Get out and see them as soon as you can.
So, my last act of the night was Professor Green and he showed what a consummate performer he is, bringing together fans new and old, the atmosphere was electric he paced the stage from side to side, playing songs across all his releases and he rocked the tent the fact is Professor Green always manages to bring the party.
FOLLOW PROFESSOR GREEN
FOLLOW WUNDERHORSE
FOLLOW COURTING
FOLLOW BLACK HONEY
FOLLOW BILK
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago and married my childhood sweetheart and life is good.
