Offset Festival 2009

Offset Festival 2009

09 September, 2009
by: Sween

Offset's glittering rep has grown alarmingly fast. Despite hosting 200 top bands on 8 stages over 48 hours, its reticent promotion and far-flung Essex locale (Zone 4 - Crikey!) could easily obscure this little belter. Its cozy size, catholic lineup and bars serving sweet, sweet ale over rotten Carling absolutely make it. And if you don't fancy kipping in a flammable bag, catch the tube home. Born and attended by the two-haircuts-one-head populace, it's a safe bet for cool.

Saturday, and Teeth of the Sea kick things off with size 14's. Volatile guitars and trumpets conjure murky ambience which circles and stalks until striking - all rabid eyes, stabbing drums; the elegance of Mogwai infuriated by BNP-strength amphetamines. We watch entranced, fretting for the guitarist's diet.

Watching Future of the Left rattle through 'Arming Eritrea' is a Saturday highlight. The Cardiff three-piece, led by acerbic hardcore-hero Falco, are one of the best live bands in the country. Even without time for their notorious banter they incite a writhing circle pit. 'Chin Music' sees Falco disregard most lyrics in favour of some brilliant roaring – thirty minutes of this was nowhere near enough.

All becomes ale-fuzzy as we peruse musty vintage clothes, munch currywurst and sample various bands. Damo Suzuki blasts off for a dark quadrant of the improv-cosmos, Cold Pumas serve up AOR post-rock, whilst Good Shoes spurt out nervous Brighton pop.

Offset's oeuvre is to link current bands with their influences, and this laudable endeavour sees The Slits headlining. Born of New Wave, their bold reggae-punk amalgamations are only out-bolded by feminist proclamations. With a new album out next month, their hits still sound tight; 'Shoplifting' sparks a crowd invasion, with fans and band yelping cheerfully. Lead singer Ari-Up seems a little giddy, occasionally prompted to "play a song." Which eventually they do, some rather flat dub closing the night.

To the dance tent for cracking DJs until 2am; then the campsite for a night of chatting to Welshmen in murky tents; then the woods, where we pretend to be wolves, avoiding the teenagers not so bent on checking out the pemphigus populi as they are in checking out each other's pants.

Sunday testifies to a good time via a punitive hangover; fortified by tea and chips from a van we sally forth. The atmosphere suffers - everyone looks pale and desperate after last night - but the quality of music endures.

The six-headed Glaswegian fight-pop monster Dananananaykroyd pummel the Artrocker stage. Visually they're impressive with 12 arms flailing wildly; sonically they're outstanding, twin singers howling and giggling. Unsure whether they want to give you a kiss or kick your head in, they end up doing both vigorously. They're on an upward trajectory - anticipate a breakthrough gig at the Scala on October 27th.

Rolo Tomassi's free-form hardcore sidesteps pop sensibility, heading for darker waters. Mashed keyboards, snarling guitars and screeching croon vocals won't earn them a Q award, but they're a compelling live act. These enviably young rock grafters set the pace for UK hardcore.

Finally, those dukes of theatrical indiedom The Horrors close the festival. Their new album is a buffet of '80s new wave, more consistent though less immediate than their first. They've sacrificed some of the jagged sneering that vivified their gigs and bore them to the crest of 2007's hype tsunami, but remain the darlings of art-rock and a suitably stylish way to bring the curtain down on enjoyably outrageous Offset 2009.

Those Offset guys run a weekly night down at the Buffalo Bar. While you're perusing our lovelly website why not read Gina's interview with The Slits!

Check out more live music in London
Check out more things to do in London

Sween