Posted on September 9, 2009 - by Editor

No Sweat Festival ‘09!

The Cross Kings
Kings Cross, London
22nd August 2009

Beer Garden/ Acoustic Sets © Lucy Fox-Bohan

No Sweat and Out Of Step had organised a pretty diverse but exciting line-up for the one day fest in Kings Cross, North London. While I’m sure the trendy were sipping cocktails at V fest, complaining to their nearest waiter that some mud had found its way to the sole of their shoes, North London’s setting was far more humble and fittingly so. On a scorching late Summer afternoon a small but cheerful crowd had gathered by after 2pm; the scheduled start of the day’s proceedings, but with some late band drop-outs, the roster had to be altered ad hoc which meant a shift in the timetable too.

At the front of the venue, an outside beer garden, oddly situated roadside which was also the setting for the voluntary acoustic and open mic session that ran sporadically through the day, sometimes though the traffic drowning out the best attempts of the busking musicians.

The first scheduled band of the day Black Star pulled out; bearing in mind all the bands were playing for free it’s hard to take them to task on this but of course it did cause some minor headaches for the event organisers and those bands that were polite enough to inform the organisers, well done, those that did not, shame on you.

The Leano- a two band guitar and comical poetry/ rap duo who apparently have been doing their thing for close to a decade. Their easy going manner, their on stage antics and intelligent lyrical waxing set a great tone for the day. Their songs which stood out for me “Love to the alphabet song”, “Rush to Nowhere” and “Smile” (excuse any non proper title names.) Leano according to their MySpace is also an “education artist working across the country attempting to teach young people the joy of creativity through words.” His positive outlook was refreshing and the freestyle session good example of the raw talent on display.

Near The Knuckle played on the No Sweat stage next; this stage being located upstairs and where I spent most of my day. Anyways the band  a skanking punk band, with the front man spending a lot of time on the floor in the crowds face as it were. They are a decent band but sadly a lot of the crowd had taken to soaking up the sun with their cold beverages.

Wonk Unit followed up next but not before they took to the stage a tall and friendly Belgian played a single song, on his

Alex Wonk Unit & Leon's audition © Lucy Fox-Bohan

first performance in London, and although it’s a bit left field in terms of the musical line-up , he had an amazing voice. When the Wonks did take to the stage, it was another first for me as I had yet to see them play live. The band reminds me of now defunct Australian pop punk Frenzal Rhomb. The humour, if you want to call it that, from frontman Alex with his oddball poetry is an acquired taste and not for me.  Mid-set the band have an impromptu audition for a guitarist in the form of Leon and he passed with flying colours, I think?

I headed downstairs to catch PJ and Gaby based on recommendations from a few at the Fest. The self confessed folk/punk duo with backing band (they have started playing as a four piece with Josh and Dan from Apologies, I Have None on

PJ and Gaby © Imelda Michalczyk

bass and drums) can be added to a long list of bands who have a female/male titled band doing a similar thing. They are very good however and seem to have a decent following as their likable popfolk set is easy listening and sincere. driven by their sweet vocals and uplifting and emotive music.

Back upstairs, after grabbing a Veggie lunch and perusing the No Sweat merch on sale, ICH take front and centre. The band, sporting more hair than a barber’s floor on a busy day play fast and loud punk rock and the band members include two of The Newtown Kings ensemble. The band list Rancid and Crass as major influences and the songs at times get a bit monotonous but there are some great tracks in their set. They are also the first band to show some sustained energy throughout. Their final sing-along song threatened to bring the house down and got some instant crowd vocal support.

ICH © Imelda Michalczyk

Livers and Lungs, back in the basement “out Of Step” stage are a melodic five piece hailing from Portsmouth, and include at least three different vocalists, two female and one male. The band also includes a banjo and if you haven’t got a sense of it already they also fall in the folk/punk category. They could easily sit on a Romcom/teen series soundtrack, but their sound is heartfelt and Drag The River and Chuck Ragan seem more obvious influences.

Jakal a four piece with female leopard printed tight sporting vocalist (Tali) and male guitarist/vocalist (Plug; not with leopard printed tights) are a band again that I am told have been playing in the scene for a while but I haven’t seen them before. Their sound akin to Crass & Choking Victim but with a more hard-line reggae beat is raw and punk; not everyone’s flavour on the day, but a band I wouldn’t mind seeing in the future. Their energy, in particular in front of a diminished crowd, is impressive.

Majah Thunder of Babylon Whackers is bit odd and disappointing for me. He sings to a pre recorded set of songs via a laptop, and the whole thing is a bit too karaoke and forced especially when his live vocals are out of sync with the recording.

I have got to admit my night from here on in gets slightly hazier due to the length of the day, the alcohol and some skanking to the evening headliners and socialising in general.

You Me And The Atom Bomb are a three piece, also from Portsmouth, that play honest punk rock and on the night do a great job with their fast and melodic set which is tight and comprised many a catchy and well constructed song.

Back downstairs and Al Baker plays a really good acoustic folk set but his set is beset by guitar problems throughout.

Al Baker © Imelda Michalczyk

He at one point even after a borrowed guitar unplugs the instrument and finishes the set as such: unplugged. As mainstream press picks up on artists like Frank Turner, there has been an upsurge in the folk punk category which is broad and cluttered with some average artists. Al Baker for me, having now seen him and Frank once each, would be my preferred choice. Again sincere, heartfelt (yes these two words are synonymous with the genre) but great songs, emotive and full of enthusiasm makes the performance a memorable one.

Clayton Blizzard, ending the folk category for the day is also an awesome one man show who puts on a captivating performance with his eerie vocals and thought provoking set.

I caught the end of The Arteries, whose album I had recently been listening to, and been impressed by. The set sounded good from what I did hear and the band is one who are amongst a group of young UK punk rock bands playing a melodic but fast paced style that is reminiscent of the mid 90’s boom.

Dirty Revolution and The Skints on the downstairs and upstairs stages respectively play back to back and bring down a blurry curtain on a fine day. Dirty Revolution seems to revel more in the small venue than in some locations I have seen them play. The intimate setting and skanking and interactive crowd is appreciative of their reggae skanking

Dirty Revolution © Imelda Michalczyk

sounds and are swaying  in the basement heat, full of applause and smiles for a band that continues to improve.

The Skints do officially end the night and the bar room is crammed with punters who have by en large enjoyed great music, and hopefully been educated too on the cause that No

The Skints © Imelda Michalczyk

Sweat is campaigning. The Skints echo the campaigns sentiments and in this cramped setting also deliver a fine performance as they work their way through their more recognised EP tracks as well as growing more comfortable with new material live. The set is fun, sweaty and engaging, and bar one drunken idiot trying to start fights near the end of the night, the bands skanking tunes play out a successful day for the No Sweat crew.

Thanks very much to the organisers and bands and hope to see you again soon.