FESTIVAL PREVIEW: DesertFest London 2023
Words: Julian Pepper
The weekend of 5th–7th May is a very special one in the London social calendar. No, not because of it being the Coronation of King Charles III but due to it being Desertfest weekend when Camden is once again invaded by the hordes of stoners, doomsters, rockers (etc.) out to have a great time and see some of the best bands that the rock world has to offer.
This is one of my favourite weekends of the year as the streets of Camden are filled with like-minded souls out to have a great time, take in their favourite bands, discover their new favourite bands and just have a great time in general. The hub in Greenland Place (aka Stoner Alley) outside the mecca that is the Black Heart will be abuzz with revellers and band members alike. Friends will be meeting up and reminiscing and new acquaintances will be made as everyone is brought together by their mutual love of all things Desertfest.
As always, the Desertfest team have put together a fantastic line-up over the 3 days for what will be the eleventh edition of the festival. This year we have the likes of Corrosion of Conformity, Graveyard, Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats, Boris, Kadavar and Crowbar taking the top spots in six venues across the three days.
One of my favourite things about Desertfest is discovering bands that I haven’t heard before and over the years I’ve discovered some absolute gems such as Mountain Caller, Wucan and Earthless.
Dig a bit deeper down the bills and you’ll find a myriad of superb bands and my recommendations for your “do not miss” list are Slomatics, King Buffalo, Year of No Light, Lowen, Weedpecker, Everest Queen, Wall, Tuskar, Margarita Witchcult and Celestial Sanctuary. There’s a bit of everything for everyone there from the heavy psych of King Buffalo and space doom merchants Slomatics to the New Wave of British Death Metal assault of Celestial Sanctuary.
It’s sure to be another awesome weekend and I look forward to seeing you down the front, in the bar and on the streets of Camden.
