The Über Rockin' Guide To... Boomtown (Part One)

The Über Rockin’ Guide To… Boomtown (Part One)

Written by Rich Hobson
Saturday, 28 July 2018 04:00

Early August has long held a place of special reverence for UK-based metalheads (and indeed, those who travel from overseas), largely thanks to the presence of England’s premier outdoors metal festival Bloodstock. But, while many eyes will look to the fields of Derby to represent the very best that international has to offer (and with good reason; headliners Gojira, Nightwish and Judas Priest alone represent a stunning cross-section of both classic and modern heavy metal), some fans may look slightly further afield to get their riffing kicks and massive chorus tunes.

In particular, we’re talking about Boomtown Festival, the Hampshire-based alternative fest which promises a unique mix of metal, punk, hardcore, pop and everything in between to show that our world can still integrate with the wider music scene, serving up the kind of line-ups that Reading and Leeds festivals would have in decades gone by. So, with 16 stages set presenting four days of nonstop action (in everything from ska to punk and hardcore), we have delved deep into the line-up to present the very best rock, metal and alternative acts (and everything in between) that you can catch come 9 August.

Limp Bizkit (Town Centre)

Let’s kick things off with (ostensibly) the biggest rock/metal name on the bill. They may have launched one of metal’s most derided subgenres in Nu Metal, but Limp Bizkit stand as a cultural icon for a specific generation of fans. It’s been seven years since Bizkit last dropped a record, but interest in the band hasn’t abated even slightly, many eyes (and ears) still clamouring to catch a whiff of the band’s long-awaiting forthcoming record ‘Stampede of the Disco Elephants’. Whether that record turns up this year remains to be seen (and hey, we’ve had solid information on a Tool record – sort of – and the long-awaited release of a new A Perfect Circle album, so there’s plenty of opportunity there), but the upswing of bands ‘inspired’ by the nu metal sound has certainly risen in the past few years thanks to the likes of Cane Hill and even Machine Head taking a twist towards the sounds of the turn of the millennium, so there’s clearly a market for Bizkit to capitalise upon.

FFO: King 810, Prophets of Rage, Eminem

Sleaford Mods (Town Centre)

Taking visceral lyrics and hard-hitting beats from the best areas of post-punk and noise, Sleaford Mods have become critical darlings for their unflinching portrayals of modern life. While these days they are subject to a few dozen thinkpieces by the likes of NME and The Guardian, there’s no denying that the band exist in a furious space that fits perfectly within the world of alternative music, coming out swinging with the likes of ‘Jobseeker’ and ‘B.H.S.’. Given one of the top spots on the Town Centre stage, it’s fair to say Sleaford Mods will be expected as the highlight of many a mainstream publication, but you best believe that the underground can enjoy a slice of righteousness from the Nottingham-based band too.

FFO: IDLES, Shellac, Death Grips

Fantastic Negrito (Old Mines)

Previously seen supporting Chris Cornell on what would turn out to be his last ever solo jaunt around the UK, Fantastic Negrito is a stunningly soulful bluesman who produces spectacular songs which blend classical blues motifs with modern imagery and themes, stunningly encapsulated on 2016 release ‘The Last Days of Oakland’. Returning to the UK with new record ‘Please Don’t Be Dead’, you can expect something special from this set as he lets loose some of the most soulful and insightful tunes in the business, his haunting blues so powerful they compete with the unsettling vibes created by Zeal & Ardor.

FFO: Mark Lanegan, Seasick Steve, Chris Cornell

Yola Carter (Old Mines)

The former vocalist of Bristolian rockers Phantom Limb, Yola Carter has one of the most stunning, rich and powerful vocals in the business right now. Now making headway as a solo artist, Carter offers up a distinctive mix of country and soul in her new output, putting her incredible range to work on tunes designed to set the spine tingling and the heart hammering. With only an EP to show for her solo output (to date, at least), Carter is a figure who keen eyes should be keeping a close watch on, seamlessly blending the elegance of classic pop and soul with the power of rock n roll.

FFO: Tracy Chapman, Heart, 4 Non Blondes

Jaya The Cat (Hangar 161)

Starting out in the USA and later relocating to the Netherlands (with a couple of Brits filling out the line-up), Jaya The Cat are the premier reggae-punk band in the world, bringing massive parties wherever they go. The band’s long-awaited sixth record ‘A Good Day For The Damned’ dropped in 2017 (following a five-year wait for new material), showcasing just how much the band have evolved over time, combining massive party anthems, political discourse and slacker singles into a single, inimitable package. Load up on beers and bring your singing voices – this band will really set the festival off.

FFO: Rancid, The Skints, Sonic Boom Six

Sonic Boom Six (Hangar 161)

Ska punk is in no short supply at Boomtown, the festival giving even Rebellion a run for its money in the skanking stakes. As such, it’s no surprise to see one of the most popular UK ska-leaning bands pop up on the line-up in the form of Sonic Boom Six, Manchester’s finest purveyors of sunshine-soaked tunes. Not limited to a single style or subgenre, Sonic Boom Six cite everyone from The Specials and Bad Brains to Public Enemy as an inspiration, their eclectic sound perfectly embodying this mix and creating an electric and unpredictable atmosphere on live outings.

FFO: The Specials, Jaya The Cat, Bad Brains

Random Hand (Hangar 161)

It doesn’t seem like yesterday that Random Hand were bowing out of the music scene, the band pulling a spectacular finale with the release of ‘Hit Reset’ and typically incendiary live shows. But, we needn’t have mourned too long; Random Hand are back and more vital than ever, their aggressive mix of hardcore and ska punk lending itself perfectly to the ambitious scope of the modern hardcore scene where experimentation is openly embraced. Expect lots of moshing, skanking and headbanging when these Northerners hit the stage in August, a triumphant showing that proves the band haven’t been forgotten.

FFO: Jaya The Cat, Turnstile, Sonic Boom Six

Wonk Unit (Hangar 161)

Classic punk, but now how we know it, Wonk Unit represent a new wave of industrious musicians looking to take the world by storm on their own terms. Endlessly entertaining live and filled with unstoppable energy, Wonk Unit demand crowd participation with their high-energy performances and unique brand of fun, making them the perfect festival band and an ideal way to spend a sunny afternoon.

FFO: Revenge of the Psychotronic Man, Dirt Box Disco, Teenage Bottlerocket

Revenge of the Psychotronic Man (Hangar 161)

Strict adherents to the adage that it’s better to burn out than to fade away, Revenge of the Psychotronic Man throw out tunes at furious pace, blurring the lines between hardcore and punk with unflappable zeal. 14 years into their career, Revenge of the Psychotronic Man have decided to call it a day, making Boomtown one of the last places that UK punk fans can get their fix of thunderous energy and roaring punk rock n roll, sending the band out in style.

FFO: Wonk Unit, Brassick, Discharge

[Spunge]

You’d be hard pressed to find a stage-name more appropriate for the band that are enjoying top bill than ‘The Skankin’ for UK ska heroes [Spunge]. 21 years old as a band(!), [Spunge] represent the sunniest party vibes that Britain has to offer, taking the alternative leanings of a band like Sublime and giving it the extra oomph of punk rock to ensure they can rub shoulders with the best that the US had to offer in the late 90s/early 2000s. [Spunge] specialise in dancing, drinking music and have more than a few anthems to their name, throwing out the likes of ‘Kicking Pigeons’ and ‘Roving Eye’ to put smiles on the face of everyone in attendance. Expect lots of fun from this lot.

FFO: Sublime, Reel Big Fish, Random Hand

Brassick (Freak Boutique Punk Bar)

Living in the space between good ol’fashioned punk rock and hardcore, Birmingham’s Brassick are a force to be reckoned with, locking in with the kind of street-fightin’ roughness that one can only get from a life kicking as hard as they can in the second city. Able to invoke massive choruses alongside riffs that wouldn’t be out of place on a thrash metal bill, Brassick blur lines in a way that suggests there’s plenty of fuel in the engine to get the whole crowd raving at Boomtown 2018.

FFO: The Distillers, Discharge, Angry Itch

Check back tomorrow for more Boomtown action, this time looking over to the metal and alt specialist stage of The Earache Factory…

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