The Nottingham Waterfront Competition 2023
Notts Canalhouse, Nottingham
1st July 2023

Amy Britton opinions a number of highlights from the eleventh annual Waterfront Competition, all bands she is tipping to be on the cusp of larger issues.

“The Waterfront Competition is the place to come back and see bands that you simply’ll must pay much more to see subsequent 12 months,” is how the festivals founder and organiser, Will Robinson of PR firm I’m Not From London, describes it, and that is will not be exaggerated self-promotion. Many an act who has gone on to be dwell favourites of mine are ones I first noticed in earlier years there, and also you definitely do watch loads of stratospheres climbed. So who, for my part, are the bands we are going to shortly be seeing commanding increased charges and larger phases from this 12 months?

There isn’t a means this query may be answered in a listing primarily based, hierarchical vogue because of the gloriously numerous nature of the bands taking part in. The afternoon units are quieter, however it’s laborious to not think about those that turned up late doubtlessly kicking themselves over lacking out on the uncooked, bluesy sound of Dusty4Track, or the performative Yay Maria. Having seen Yay Maria play the earlier 12 months additionally, this weekend’s set exhibits somebody frequently creating. It’s a easy, vocals and laptop computer setup that by some means feels way more, and by no means falls into the entice of feeling medical. As an alternative, her efficiency is downright cathartic and wealthy in emotional, transgressive magnificence. Clad in an infinite pair of black angel wings, its a suitably otherworldly search for her ethereal efficiency, doling out the inspiring message that queer is certainly stunning.

The remainder of the late afternoon and early night segues effortlessly between polished, pop tinged acts (whether or not its in an avant-garde vogue, similar to quirky synth act Inward Unusual, or as unashamedly pop-rock as quartet Purple Liar) and uncooked, heavier acts. Mono Grande are as uncooked and gritty because it will get, whereas Marvin’s Revenge are brimming with a heavy depth which slices the air of the listed constructing the pageant takes place in. Wanting deceptively like potential teenage pin-up icons, their set is an electrical shock that nearly threatens cartoon bone-flashing.

The canals are a beautiful location for a summer time pageant and, with the climate holding up, the surface stage presents loads of bands that appear to have acquired the seasonal transient. Portico Workplace Specific have a naturally easy, prepared made ease, Jahrel really feel like a Woodstock time portal, and Seas Of Mirth type can greatest be describes as chaotic punk sea shanty. This 12 months additionally sees the introduction of the brand new “Secret Stage,” an industrial-feeling house the scale of a small venue itself. With out showing in the principle listings, bands resort to some shrewd ways to make festival-goers conscious; queer-pop duo G4YB0Y exhibiting specific innovation by stealthily handing out lollipops with their set time hooked up. (The futuristic swirls of their music and conceptual act being a spotlight which lends itself completely.)

Whereas bands from throughout the nation do step up – Marvin’s Revenge are from neighbouring Derbyshire, Femur from Sheffield. You by no means actually overlook the deeply Nottinghamshire nature of the pageant, largely as a result of it’s a tight-knit, typically incestuous scene, however even the ingenious names of two of the bands taking part in again to again on the invoice give heavy nods to the world. Stuart Pearce – named after the Notts Forest legend and all the time ensured to seize consideration printed on listings – actually are going from energy to energy, being one of many sharpest and spikiest bands on the circuit. By no means in need of loads of say, the agit-prop outfit have all of the bile and power of…nicely, Stuart Pearce. Having leapt up the invoice from final years afternoon slot to a night place, it is a band to catch as quickly as doable. In a sea of submit punk-influenced bands with Mark E Smith-style vocal on the market, these really feel genuinely near the spirit of The Fall, with their clattering backdrops and mental, sneering wit.

Straight after Stuart Pearce are Bored Marsh, a punning identify of defunct Nottingham procuring centre the Broadmarsh. Its secure to say the in-joke high quality of their identify can be outweighed by the expansive nature of their sound with regards to selecting up of a possible nationwide following; there’s a strident confidence to their reverb-dipped sound which sounds prepared made for large issues already.

Like several music pageant, there’s a wealth of music to find on the Waterfront and it’s laborious to catch the whole lot and everybody that delivers promise. However one factor is all the time assured – you may stroll away assured that you can be listening to much more from a number of the bands. As ever, a day which manages to not solely be musically wonderful, however perceptive with it too.

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All phrases by Amy Britton. Discover extra on her archive

Images by Celine Marie

Particular due to Will Robinson and I’m Not From London – discover extra right here