Big Scary Monsters' Big Day Out Preview
After the success of their inaugural Big Day Out in 2018, which saw Big Scary Monsters pull together 20 of their favourite bands in three unique East London venues - MOTH Club, The Empire Bar and Paper Dress Vintage - they’ll be back in Hackney for another celebration of the UK’s beloved independent music scene.
Unbelievably, they doubled down in this year and organised a festival in their hometown of Oxford, too. Having just celebrated their 250th release at the beginning of 2019 with the release of an exclusive Legends LP, Big Day Out 2019 is yet another cog in the labels inventive efforts to bring music to new audiences across the nation.
The same great venues from 2018 will be filled once again with a carefully curated line up of some of the best artists signed to Big Scary Monsters alongside some incredible friends of the label. Honestly no matter who you end up seeing at this festival, you’re going to have a great time. Here are the bands we will be rushing around Hackney and checking out on Saturday (obviously making time for a stop at Temple Of Hackney):
Fresh (Acoustic)
Where to start with Fresh, we’ve watched them grow from a completely different line-up many many years ago to huge tours in Europe and America! Kathryn and her very talented bandmates are one of the best bands around which was proven once again with the recent release of their second album ‘Withdraw’. Check out their acoustic set in the Hackney Empire bar. The Empire Bar 17:30-18:00.
Itoldyouiwouldeatyou
Itoldyouiwouldeatyou have been killing it in the DIY scene for a very long time but have also truly excelled themselves with their most recent album release. Singer Joey Ashworth’s live performance is always so enchanting, as is the talents of the posse of members in the band. Moth Club 18:30-19:00.
Cheerbleederz
Put simply, Cheerbleederz are something of a supergroup but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take them seriously. When you combine the minds of Fresh’s Kathryn Woods, Happy Accidents’ Pheobe Cross & Finish Flag’s Sophie Mackenzie you’re going to be in for a treat. These three have released some incredible tunes. Check out their debut EP ‘Faceplant’. Paper Dress Vintage 19:00-19:30.
Woahnows
Like the aforementioned Itoldyouiwouldeatyou, Woahnows have been killing it for a while now but with the release of ‘Young and Cool’ they have elevated to another level, it’s one of our favourite albums of the year by far and we were lucky enough to catch them at their show at The Lexington earlier this year too which was so fun, we can not wait to check them out at this years Big Day Out. Moth Club 19:30-20:15.
Orchards(Acoustic)
I had many highlights at the Big Day Out but my number one moment was watching Orchards at Moth Club, the glittery ceiling and backdrop really enhanced the Orchards experience, these guys are so damn fun and talented. The band members vastly different influences all combine to produce an exciting mix of math-rock/pop bliss. The Empire Bar 20:30-21:00.
Nervus
With Nervus’ third album ‘Tough Crowd’ being released a day before this years Big Day Out it is going to be an absolute party at their performance, the new album is filled with politically driven and melody packed punk anthems. If you haven’t seen Nervus live you have to catch them (even if it’s just to check out Paul’s dancing). Moth Club 20:45-21:30.
Spielbergs
Following on from their ‘This Is Not The End’ album released earlier this year, Norwegian punks Spielbergs have a brand new EP titled ‘Running All The Way Home’ coming out October 25th. The title track was released a couple weeks ago and we have had it on repeat ever since. These dudes are incredible and their live show is really something special. Paper Dress Vintage 21:00-21:45.
