Underage Festival: Victoria Park: 5th of August.
Well, where should I start? I can’t even begin to tell you how great this festival was. It was my first time going to Underage, and I’d been waiting for FOUR years to go and finally I got the chance. It was also my first ever festival, which gave me even more of a reason to be excited. We almost didn’t get in due to a technical PR problem; however everyone that knows me knows I am a VERY persuasive person and used my wonderful charm to wangle our way in.
As per usual, nothing ever starts on time so we were all left standing in the heat for some time. Unfortunately for me, during this time a T4 presenter started to film us and I’m sure the camera took a shine to me because despite the fact I hate being caught on camera, it always ended up by where me and Melissa were standing in the guest area.
When we were finally let in, I was immediately overwhelmed by all the bright colours, rides, and different stages, it looked so wonderful. We made our way to the Underage Stage where Rizzle Kicks were kicking off the festival. We were actually really lucky because we managed to get a good position at the front. Rizzle Kicks are Hip Hop/Indie/Pop duo who have only recently become well known. They were energetic, funny and as they say “Got down with the kids!” It was definitely a great opening to the festival and it set a high standard for other acts to follow.
I know I’d only seen one act but I was already tired, so we went to go and sit down appreciating all the beautiful sights surrounding us. However I get bored very easily and can’t sit in one place for very long so we decided to go and visit some of the rides, and take a look at the silent disco. I didn’t really get the point of it but oh well, interesting experience.
We also went to see CocknBullKid who was actually amazing and I was blown away, Ghost Eyes who are a unique Indie band who I’d never heard of before but were actually really good and Spark who had a very loud, electronic sound.
We happened to be walking past the Underage Stage when I heard heavy metal blasting out of the tent. I don’t really listen to it, but Melissa does so I agreed to go and take a look.
It happened to be Pulled Apart By Horses an Alternative/Powerpop/Rock band. I don’t even know what to say, the crowd just went crazy jumping and head banging, that I joined in with (I’m paying the price now though). I was just getting into “I punched a Lion in the Throat” when a moshpit started right where I was standing. As it was my first festival I hadn’t experience anything like his, and I was being thrown into a circle where people were spinning round and diving on each other. There is only one word that describes this experience, CRAZY!
I also had the pleasure of seeing Yasmin who performed a few new songs followed by Fugative when someone in the crowd decided to start a water fight and I got completely soaked! I have a soft spot for Fugative anyway so I automatically loved his set and was so disappointed when his hat just missed mine and Melissa’s awaiting hands. We had some time to kill before the next act, so we met up with our other friends who were also having a wonderful first time.
At the Last.FM stage Labrinth was near the end of his set when we arrived but we definitely caught the best bit. Straight after, set to perform, was The Midnight Beast (a comedy/Hip Hop/Lyrical band), this was when everything turned a bit nasty. We were in the middle but people from the back were pushing forward trying to get closer. It was unbelievable! The Midnight Beast doesn’t even have that many views on YouTube so I expected there would be less people. There was an obnoxious bimbo in front of us and she decided to get feisty. Elbowing Melissa in the ribs and pushing her backwards. What the hell?
Seriously what does she expect; it’s a festival, people are going to be pushed and get squashed. The Midnight Beast were very late on stage and the audience were getting very impatient and rowdy. Finally when they came on, all the anger I had building up inside of me just slipped away. They were absolutely AMAZING! The only band where everyone knew every word to every song. I screamed and sang so much that I literally lost my voice by the end of their set. It was an amazing end to an awesome festival.
&
Although I paid the price the next day, because I was ill, was and sore all over and had the worst headache it was definitely worth it!
Words by Destiny Madhoo
Photographs by Melissa Benham and Destiny Madhoo
