Nozfest - 12th August 2023 @ The 1865, Southampton.
Review by; Bryan
It's the middle of August, and time for another Nozfest. I'm not sure how many there have been, but I think I've been to every one, not counting the 'Lite' events. Promoter Jodie Bowie always manages to put on a good bill, even if there are a couple of bands that seem to keep appearing.
The traffic getting into Southampton always seems to slow to a crawl on a normal weekend, but with at least one other festival and a couple of other events in the area, plus five cruise ships in dock and Southampton FC playing at home, I was glad I left a bit of extra time to get to the car park local to the venue, and I made it to the 1865 just as the doors were opened. Inside, it was good to see that it was organised as previously: nice clear hall, minimum of tables, merch stalls upstairs on a balcony, a bar with enough staff to keep the queues to a minimum and a burger wagon outside ready for hungry punters later.
And so to the first band, Vambo, to get the event rolling. I have to admit, the between song chat is slightly odd, but the very 1970's influenced hard rock is very good for opening the musical entertainment. Most of the songs I recognised, but it was good to get a song off the forthcoming album to show that the quality hasn't dipped, and they limited the covers to a set-closing run through of Deep Purple's 'Burn'.
Managing to keep changeovers to schedule, it wasn't long before Black Lakes were on stage. Probably the most 'metal' band on the bill, although the melodies definitely made the songs more accessible. They did have trouble getting the backing effects to work properly (which would be a theme through the day), but it didn't stop them putting on a good show.
There then followed three bands of wildly varied rock music. White Raven Down play heavy riff rock, where the musical pummelling is offset by the friendly banter from frontman Stu. Sam Millar and The Sass Bandits could seem completely out of place, with their almost lightweight pop-rock, but they are good songs, at times unbelievable song intros and the almost permanently headbanging bassist combine to make them one of the highlights of the day. These Wicked Rivers are southern rock influenced and provide another change of pace with their slightly longer songs full of guitar solos and soulful vocals and the look on one of the stage-crew's face when their two standard lamps were brought on and plugged in was a joy to see.
Beth Blade and the Beautiful Disasters have been here before at least twice and what she calls her rock and roll music always goes down well, even if she gave up with her guitar after several strap malfunctions and reverted to singer mode instead.
South Of Salem are obviously local heroes and the fanclub had turned up. There's been a couple of line-up changes since I last saw them and the death-rock image works well, but I can't see the point of the pom-pom girls. However, it was good to get a couple of new songs from the next album, because they've toured the songs from the debut album into the ground (even if a couple of them are really good).
Collateral tick the arena-rock box with their songs filled with memorable choruses, and at least the've dodged the covid that prevented their appearance last year. Another band that gave us a couple of new songs, but they definitely need a second guitarist to fill out the sound.
Penultimate band of the day were Hollowstar and I admit, I've missed them. Two of the members have been on family duties (new babies stop play) and although this was one of only five gigs this year, there was not a hint of being ring-rusty. Unbelievably tight, they've obviously spent the down time well, proven by the two new songs played. They've always been an emotional band, and the cover of Skynyrd's 'Simple Man' was a really nice touch to go with their own 'Good Man Gone'. My band of the day.
I've been looking forward to seeing headliner Chez Kane since news of her working with songwriter Danny Rexon (Crazy Lixx vocalist) first emerged, but unfortunately, a combination of too many aches and pains, a body clock that wakes me up at stupid o'clock and the prospect of a minimum 80-minute drive home, meant I only saw a few songs. And those songs were good, in a very 1980's radio rock way, played by a band that seemed to be having fun, with Chez Kane enjoying herself up front. Definitely one of those cases of the songs sounding much better live than on record.
And that was it for me, after another excellent Nozfest day. Jodie seemed keen to put on another one next year - so that's something to look forward to.