What a wonderful day! A sun soaked revel in live music, cooled by a gentle breeze flowing across the Crystal Palace Park hill. The event made for a fantastic day out, one which initially started with anxieties of Deftones' presence at the show, having pulled out of a big Glastonbury slot the day before due to illness among the band.
Qendresa
Clearly both humbled and overwhelmed by the occasion, local London musician Qendresa charmed with giggles between songs, reveling in this opportunity to express and entertain as her cool tempered, mellowed out moods brought a colorful warmth to the crowd. Armed with a sleek, easy voice, she put on a great opening act.
HEALTH
One I've wanted to cross of the list, this Industrial trio put on a fair show competing with the sun. Clearly more fitting for a dark club setting, their barrages of mechanical rhythm and dystopian synth assult brought a frantic energy nailed down by the "fallen angel" voice of Jake Duzsik. His peculiar register, effeminate, vulnerable and deeply hurt, has a magnetism that pulled it all together for the live show.
High Vis
British Hardcore, tinged with 90s Oasis vibes, a touch of Post-Punk melody and Indie Rock overtones, these guys brought passion and energy in abundance. Front man Graham Sayle poured himself into the moment, an emotional front, dripping with a sense of urgency. Splurging his politics between songs, one could not deny the underlying empathy and social care his views stemmed from. Giving their set steam.
Weezer
Weezer were the clear highlight of my day. A recent set-list binge of a band I'd passed over in my youth has paid dividends. Their presence added an exquisite sense of personality and occasion colliding, as these recently familiarized songs ascended to the another level. The genius of Rivers Cuomo and his bands mates made itself know, as the stunning live aesthetic showcased their virtuoso. Even if much of their music is simplistic, it was executed flawlessly. The guitar solo's were a pleasure to behold.
Deftones
One of a few bands deeply entangled into my youthful soul, hearing their arsenal of emphatic, timeless songs will always stir that freeing revelry of the moment. Despite having a fantastic time, one could not ignore a troubled performance. Still getting over the illness that stopped them from playing Glastonbury, timing mistakes, warping tempos and a general struggle to keep it together a times stained the show. Waiting for a riff to drop, only for the tempo to slow can pull one out of the magic. Fortunatly, they seemed to get it tighter as the show went on, ending with a banger, 7 Words.