NozFest - Southampton review part 1

NozFest

The 1865, Southampton 10/9/19

Review by; DeeDee

Photography by; Helen

To organise a festival, even a one day event must be a daunting task, but not for Southampton Blogger and Promoter Jodie Bowie. Nine bands on the bill at THE 1865, a nice mixture as well. This first NOZFEST has been well advertised on social media and organised down to the last detail. Getting down to the venue early to set up our press booth, we at Rock Media UK were given all the help we needed and nothing was too much trouble for Jodie and her volunteers. First impressions of the 1865 were good, it’s a fair sized place, has a decent bar and balcony, plenty of seating around the sides and not difficult to find being near the main part of the city. In-between interviews, I managed to watch most of all the 9 performances, but running up and down stairs and trying to get hold of Marco Mendoza, did wear me out !

After an introduction by local presenters Si Genaro and David Chinery, it is over to 27 DAYS to get the ball rolling. A local band from Bournemouth, who have only been around since 2016, they are starting to turn heads. Sleaze with a harder edge, they cover The Darkness classic ‘I Believe In A Thing Called Love’ with total finesse. These 4 have already produced a single ‘Dead Man Walking’ which is in included in tonights set, a slow and punishing ballad that vocalist Jordan Watts handles perfectly. With nice slide sounding guitar, to accompany Watts, this is quite a decent band. Look out for them if they decide to head your way.

Watch our interview with 27Days here

THE WICKED JACKALS take to the stage next, described as ‘Loud, Mean and Mighty Unclean’ they brandish their guitars, low and do have an amazing look. Having fun with a water pistol, certainly adds to the party mood and covering ’Nut Bush City Limits’ is a winner.

Frontman Olllie Tindall has a gritty voice, which, like his hero Stevie Marriott, is so bluesy while staying in the rock vein. Marty Venus on guitar strikes some genuinely smooth and penetrating riffs, all backed by Lex Gifford on bass and James Norkett on sticks. The recent EP ‘About Time’ is played in full during the set, ‘Ain’t Gonna Change’ is a catchy number and ‘Scream’ raises the bar. ‘Raise A Glass’ ends the set and Marty joins the crowd, who are already packed down the front. The audience loved them, really good to watch.

Watch our interview with The Wicked Jackals here

RockerDave leads THE OUTLAW ORCHESTRA who are a different breed altogether. With a double bass having an Alligator head on it belonging to Alex Barter and Pete Brileys banjo and lap steel, I am intrigued before they start. The combined instruments, along with Ryan Smith on drums and Dave on guitar/Vocals deliver songs that put Bluegrass, Southern Rock and 70’s Rock into a boiling cauldron. What sets them apart and draws you in, as well as the expert musicianship, must be Dave’s anecdotes between songs, telling tales that are so amusing, you can’t help but love them. Donning a Sombrero mid way, Dave has us enthralled, with numbers like ‘Ship Faced’, ’Laughing All The Way To The Gallows’ and Whiskey Drinking Liar’ it’s a riot. The set is mostly made up from the recent EP ‘God Knows We Tried’ and the 2018 ‘The Devil Made Me Do It’, think a heavy rockin, mix of The Cadillac Three, Rival Sons and Humble Pie with some Black Sabbath thrown in for good measure. No wonder they are getting a lot of attention of late, it’s a stunning performance today. The guys have been busy on the road and have more festivals lined up, see them at HRH Crows, Rockin The Bowl or WinterStorm, although I’m sure they will be touring again soon.

Watch our interview with The Outlaw Orchestra here

BETH BLADE & THE BEAUTIFUL DISASTERS from Cardiff have been building up their reputation as one of the more feisty female led bands, over the last few years. Heavy and gutsy, with songs that are full of powerful vocals and tremendous guitar riffs. BB&TBD are always in demand and have supported the likes of Dan Reed, Danny Vaughn and Marco Mendoza. The show today is everything you expect from this class act, taking no prisoners ‘Hell Yeah!’ from the ‘Bad Habit’ album is first up and what an introduction for the Nozfest punters. Following on with the title track and ‘Down N Dirty’ the last half of the set is mainly off the latest ’Show Me Your Teeth’ which has been well received across the media. ‘You and I’, ‘On and On’ and the excellent rocker ‘Jack And Coke’ are in fast succession, before ending on ‘If You’re Ready To Rock’ also from ‘Bad Habit’. Fantastic live, BB&TBD can be seen soon at Uber Rock, Girls Wanna Rock and The Massive Weekend, check out social media for more details.

Part two of our review will follow shortly, with the remaining Nozfest line-up.