REVIEW: Bearded Theory, Friday
Bob Vylan by Isla Kerr
Friday at Bearded Theory
Friday was the perfect kickstart to the weekend at Bearded Theory. Everyone headed back to their tents and cars fired up for what was to come and ready to make changes in their lives outside of the field.
HotWax
The young 3-piece from Hastings have already built quite the reputation around their live performances and today they proved to all those in attendance just why that is. No matter who you are it’s daunting to be the first act to play the main stage on a Friday of a festival. However, any nerves HotWax had were hidden by the incredible energy they displayed from the minute they walked on. As their first track came to an end, panic could be seen on Tallulah’s (vocals, guitar) face as she shouted down her mic ‘My lead just broke, fingers crossed, hope this works’. After making some quick alterations, things were back on track and what could have been viewed as a travesty to others was only a minor setback in this set. HotWax are an incredibly exciting band and are making impressive waves within the music scene considering they are yet to release an album. The trio are sure to be playing stages of this size for many years to come.
Meryl Streek
Wearing his customary contacts the Irish punk paced back and forward across the stage throughout his set. His inability to stand still emphasised the urgency in the messages within his music. ‘Death to the Landlord’ shines a light on the shambles of the renting scene with the lyric ‘Say no to having to pay yourself into debt’ . Meryl does not shy away from calling anyone out and it’s what the people of the UK and Ireland want to hear right now. Life is tough and while we turn to music as a release, that does not mean we want to escape the issues of our day to day lives. In fact, being able to get angry about them while surrounded by others is therapeutic.
Lambrini Girls
Lambrini Girls reputation precedes them. Phoebe Lunny (vocals, guitar) was in the crowd before the end of the first track. Hands held them up before they launched themself forward and crowd surfed back to stage. Introducing Terf Wars Phoebe made sure the audience knew exactly what the song was about. Using JK Rowling as an example of a Trans exclusionary radical feminist before singing the lyrics ‘You’re not a feminist you’re a stain on this earth’. The band also treated the crowd to new track ‘Company Culture’ which highlights toxic attitudes within the workplace.
Bob Vylan
Few missed the chance to see what one of the biggest voices in punk rock right now, Bob Vylan, are all about. Those in their crowd for the first time quickly learned that Bob Vylan shows do not follow regular proceedings. As always they began with their ‘Guided Meditation and Light Stretching’ and encouraged the audience to join in. Hands were raised in the air and bodies moved side to side as the crowd warmed up for what was to be an action packed set. The duo played this festival on a much smaller stage just two years ago and at multiple points throughout their set today they could be seen taking in how many flocked to see them today. The Bob’s who ‘Answer to nobody’ played what was certainly one of the loudest sets of the whole weekend to what was possibly also the biggest crowd.
Bar Stool Preachers
To finish what had been a day of primarily younger voices, I headed to Bar Stool Preachers set on the Woodland stage. I am in no way calling Bar Stool Preachers old, but, on a day where their 2014 debut was one of earliest on the bill they became a mature voice. Their seniority shouldn't be confused with a lack of desire for change too. Frontman TJ Mcfaull commented that ‘The older I get the angrier, I get’ as he urged people in the crowd to vote on July 4th inciting that real change was needed. A rowdy set that had the crowd bouncing up and down was a great way to end a jam packed day of music.
