Live Review: Uprising Festival 9

Review by Ratty

You know those times throughout the year, when you know there's something missing; when you've not seen those people you met in the past, at Download, at a local gig, at Bloodstock. Whichever music venue, gig or festival it was, you enjoyed their company, the laughs, the camaraderie and the music. That, that is special, that is quintessentially 'Family Time' with the  great friends of your choosing - your unique Metal Family that you've missed since the last time you hooked up with them at a gig or venue. 

All of you that have considered The Night Before Uprising as the prelude to the next scintillating chapter of Uprising!

This year was no exception, with Mage , Tribe of Ghosts & Viking Skull headlining, the Night Before Uprising, at Firebug, Leicester. Tomorrow, the 02 hosts it's last event, tomorrow the latest chapter of Uprising!

Whilst trying to cope with the building heat and the feeling that I might become a trapped wilting lettuce that's just noticed a speeding giant slug coming it's way; (I am glad Saturday wasn't the hottest day of the year so far). I was pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome in the press camp and I have to thank Spooky Nerd for dispelling the giant spicy slug of doom nerves, and to Caroline & Red for taking me in their stride and to Sheri for allowing me to contribute my first Uprising review.

Smaller indoor based festivals like Uprising and others, are a great way to support the up-and-coming bands, some of which will be the next big bands & headliners of such hallowed festivals as Download, Slam Dunk & Bloodstock. 

With a sad lack of smaller live music venues like the O2 Leicester, and pubs still closing almost daily, supporting the Music Venue Trust in their work to help help keep our ailing live venues alive & curb the politics that is not helping in a positive & constructive way, just adding more red tape for OUR grass roots music industry. There is so much that needs to be done and so many things that are swept under the collective carpet, never to be seen again -  

But I digress.

Uprising IX, wow, just wow. 

The last year at the Leicester O2 and another impressive line up of bands. Unfortunately I didn't catch them all, but I got to see most of them;

CROWLEY

A relatively new band hailing from Newcastle, their heavy doomy rock very reminiscent of the late 70's, early 80's, they remind me of Rush with a refreshing modern occult twist and searing vocals, The Witching Hour  being a personal favourite song.

Photos by Sean Larkin Photography

FOUL BODY AUTOPSY.

First time I've seen this one man death metal/grind core machine at work and I was impressed with his stage presence, vocal range & brutal guitar with a drum machine. The Rough Rope & The Shout Drop my fav song of his.

Photos by Sean Larkin Photography

MAATKARE

Another first, I've not heard this band live before, a metal band with songs based on Egypt. I can't pronounce their name, but in ancient Egyptian it translates as Truth (Maat) Is the sole of (ka) sun god (Re). And they certainly brought that with them. They're not a favourite, but if like me you're not sure you have another opportunity; Mangata Festival, Nottingham in September or Rabidfest, Oxford in Oct/Nov.

Photos by Sean Larkin Photography

MAYFIRE.

Some may find the guys in the same line as 'Sleep Token', their songs feel very similar to me. Melodic progressive Rock/Metal band from Norway, as much visual as they are musical, a plethora of intricate electronic sounds fused with heavy guitars and gliding almost ethereal melodies. The Fall, a thought provoking composition that works.

Photos by Sean Larkin Photography

SURVIVALIST.

I think I was exceptionally lucky to survive their bass. Thunderous and heavy band hailing from Belfast, Northern Ireland. Metal/Death core, they sucked me in, I felt their heavy bass pummeling my chest, rattling my old bones with an exhilarating body massage of sound.

Photos by Sean Larkin Photography

WARD XVI.

What can I say about these guys that hasn't already been said; I thought they might get a rough ride here, but as always their Inmates were in attendance & as I watched & growled along to some of their songs from the gods, I was pleased to see their audience grew to include loads of non-inmates too. Security had a little panic when this mad woman (K. Berry) escaped into the audience, but she was returned to the stage in one piece by her fellow inmates, much to security's relief, so the show could carry on. I loved the train on stage, What's in The Box? and the rest of their stage show that accompanies the music. Very creative and works well most of the time.

Photos by Watchmaker Studios

BREED 77.

Another band of long standing & my youth, reincarnated and just as good now as when I first heard them in late nineteen nineties. Heavy rock with a distinct Latin flamenco influence, searing guitar solos & that distinctive voice. Among my favourite songs The River, Worlds of Fire & Blind.

Photos by Watchmaker Studios

IN ME

Again a band from my youth with another distinct sounding vocalist, the unmistakeable gravelly voice of Dave McPherson

They have always been an independent band since the late 90's, their new album "Demons" being entirely funded by Crowdfunding. Notable songs for me.

Photos by Sean Larkin Photography

STAMPIN GROUND

Impressive not only musically - they were deafening in a good way, but they got an impressive Cyclone pit going around the sound desk in the centre of the hall, that was mad and livened the crowd up. Officer Down my favourite track of theirs, brutal at an epic pace.

Photos by Sean Larkin Photography

PITCHSHIFTER.

As the years have passed, my music tastes gave changed too, I was not into these guys when they first appeared on the Rock & Metal scene in the late 80's, but fortunately they are still going and today I enjoyed bouncing along to several of their songs.

During their set, the lead vocalist said to the crowd "who is a non drinker, like me ?" I think he was surprised to see so many hands raised in response. The 'WOW' he mouthed in response said everything. If you enjoy bouncing to Prodigy you'll love bouncing to these guys. The only equipment glitch I saw this year was when the lead vocalist  radio mike failed, no problem, we got an extended band jam, which their audience loved, clapping  enthusiastically at the end; acknowledging the bands musicianship in adversity. A skillful upbeat performance that all too soon was over - BOO !

The atmosphere was friendly inspite of the heat, the food and drink available was good (I stayed on water all of Saturday, it was just too hot to go back down my rabbit hole of dehydration), and surprisingly it was a degree or so cooler in the building than outside.

Photos by Sean Larkin Photography

Of the bands I missed, I will be looking out to see Break Them and 'TSJTTN'

So as the dust settles from the last incarnation of Uprising at the O2 Academy Leicester. Where to next ?

I hope Simon & Co. can find Uprising a new compatible home for the future and continued growth of Uprising Festival. Even now as an established event it's still got that feeling & atmosphere of a being an extended family gathering rather than just another music festival, so wherever it goes next, I hope very much that the feeling & atmosphere doesn't change. The ticket prices for Uprising have always been competitive, but achievable, even if like me, you have to budget for gig & festival tickets. But the accomodation in places like Leicester &  other university cities, still leaves a lot to be desired, both for cost &  value for money.

Finally, if you managed to read through my jumble of letters to get here, Thank you. And on the note of Thanks. I have to give my gratitude to Simon Yarwood & his Team for attempting & succeeding to organise and establish this festival in the first place. 

Uprising like many smaller independent grassroots festivals, is a huge undertaking in the current climate. Long may it continue, wherever the next incarnation of Uprising appears.

Love & Light 

Ratty.