As a summer of incredible festivals come to close, we look towards the end of 2022 and move our attention from the muddy fields back to the sticky floors of the venues. Indoor festivals have been and becoming more and more popular as the years go on – I mean what’s not to love, it’s dry for a start, but that just adds to the outdoor fun.
In September, Newcastle will see the introduction of a brand new festival that shines the light on the best talent the alt-scene has to offer. From old to new this festival is your place to be. RiseFest is ran by Rise Or Die Promotions – and when you think it’s the first year of the festival, the response has been incredible with the whole event very close to a sell out.
The festival takes place in the Northumbria Student Union slap bang in the middle of Newcastle city centre. The venue will host a list of talent spread across two stages – it will also have a vip area in the main stage zone & also supporting local & independent businesses with their very own pop up market to showcase the best the North East has to offer. A very special mention to the legends over at Sad Social Club who will be making an appearance, be sure to buy yourself a tee or even a hat to keep yourself warm in the winter months ahead – they really are lovely people so come say hi if you see them.
If you’re feeling peckish after set, the organisers have just announced the food vendors who will be gracing the festival. You have the amazing choice of vegan outlets such as Vegan Junkie & Flip Fast Crepes or even venture over for full meat options over at Fat Hippo for burger options or if you’re feeling adventurous why not give the guys at Don’t You Know I’m Loco for all your best Mexican treats.
I could sit and talk the ear off anyone listing every band on the bill that’s a must see because trust me when I say the line-up is as good as I’ve seen at any festival – but who wants me yapping for hours so I’ll give you the best 5 as hard as it is to narrow down. The stage splits have already been dropped and gives a good idea of where to be.
Creeper
First on my must see list is Southampton hero’s, Creeper. 12 years on the scene, the band are no strangers to festival appearances – fresh off the back of two hugely sucesful festival shows at Download & 2000 Trees, not to mention being on the road with My Chemical Romance and Alice Cooper throughout the summer.
Their sets are fun and filled with singalongs that are enough to send shivers down your spine – the live shows are always ones to remember and front man Will who is a born performer makes that happen. Expect to catch bangers from through the years from debut album Eternity, In Your Arms to last years stunning ep drop American Noir – which from this brings the part of the shows where backing vocals and keys player Hannah takes centre stage for Ghosts Over Calvary and joint collab with Will for Midnight – now I’m not saying it’s a cert but if you’re reading Creeper, please.
Vukovi
Being the only Scots on the bill, I really can’t miss out this incredible band – not purely added for flying the saltire and Ayrshire but basically how insanely good they are, trust me this set is a must.
Irvine’s Vukovi are set to drop their debut album Nula and this show comes at the perfect time to showcase what the fans are in for – singles so far have really hit the heights, Lasso, Hades & I Exist have all deserved the credits they have that’s seen all 3 have their own radio play. The record is set to hit our speakers in early October before hitting the road for their biggest headline tour to date.
Regardless if its a headliner, support or a festival spot, frontwoman Janine always has the crowd in the palm of her hand – even for a small crowd, she plays as if there thousands in a stadium and just shows why she does what she does. The talent and dedication in one set is something to witness. If you’re after chaotic mosh pits, crowd surfers and a wild Scottish band, Vukovi’s set is the set for you.
Cassyette
Now those who have read my work before know just how much I love Cassyette, for me one of the best new artists on the scene and is destined to be on top of the festival bills for years to come and her stage presence just adds to the excitement surrounding her.
Fresh of the single release of Sad Girl Summer accompanied by a great music video – the Chelmsford born singer has seen a well deserved reception to both video and song that’s saw shares all over socials like Instagram and Tiktok. The song comes with what will be a sadly similar feeling to many relating it to a bad break up.
This show will be the perfect warm up for what will be her biggest headline tour to date which kicks off the night before in Glasgow.
Boston Manor
Fresh off the back of their third studio album Glue released in 2020, Boston Manor return to the festival circuit again – and quite reflective of the music their a band that just don’t stand still. The Blackpool rockers are a great excitement to gaze upon anytime they are on stage weather it be in a venue or a field you know what you’re getting – quite frankly a kick ass show.
The band are no strangers to gigs in this part if the country and its plain to see why, their sound just bounces around a room and just fits perfect to any setting. You can go from a slow dance to a chaotic mosh and anything in between really. You can fully expect to see this band top bills in years to come.
Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes
You could have any headliner on a festival bill, big or small and regardless of who they are, Frank Carter and his Rattlesnakes will always be on my must see list. They are a band you just can’t say enough about, I could preview just them alone and take up a full article. Frank is a born entertainer thats saw him cover many miles in this industry from his early days in Gallows & Pure Love to running riot in the Rattlesnakes.
Already on the march to album number after a hugely successful drop of the 2021 banger Sticky, the Rattlesnakes are deservedly headlining festivals – I did say the Pilot headliner was just the beginning. It’s hard to really describe what you get from a Frank Carter show because its really a case of you just need to be there – but one this for certain and is echoed at every night – its a safe space for all.
He shares the bill with fellow Londoner Cassyette who also has a guest appearance on his latest album – who knows we might even see a live collab just like his headline album tour last year. The spirit and togetherness of the crowd paired with the sheer passion and love for what he does on the stage just makes these nights what they are and really make it such a special show from the first right to the last – you even get some comedy between songs, the man has it all.
This headline show really will be a thing to witness because I really don’t think you’ll have many chances to see Mr Carter and his Rattlesnakes in such a small venue for much longer – this is your chance to say I was there in years to come.
Well there you have it, some of the very best that’s on offer this year at this years debut RiseFest and that’s not even scratching the surface, you just have to get one of the last remaining tickets to come along and find out the hidden gems for yourself. Tickets still remain but are very limited that include VIP and merch bundles. Below is a link to the organisers playlist that showcases the bands finest work and a little taster of what to expect on the day.
See you in the Toon!