Live Review: Bastard Fest - Corporation, Sheffield
13th July 2024
Featuring: Empire State Bastard, Heriot, Conjurer, Pupil Slicer, Hidden Mothers
Words and photos: Martin Hingley
A warm summer's evening (about as warm as we've had recently!) sees Corporation, Sheffield host the inaugural Bastardfest. Headlined and created by Empire State Bastard, the event promises a stellar line-up despite a delayed start. Fans line up enthusiastically and eventually enter the venue nearly 40 minutes after the scheduled start time, greeted by the sounds of the bands still sound-checking. Clearly, it must have been a technical issue, but the delay doesn't diminish the excitement. As the barriers rise, many in the crowd stoop under, keen to secure a spot at the front.
First up is Sheffield's very own post-black metal band Hidden Mothers. Despite starting almost 30 minutes late, they manage to draw a large crowd, captivating them with a mix of clean vocals and harsh screams from the bassist. Playing their second set of the day, the band is tight and well-rehearsed, even though they have had to shorten their set due to the evening's delays. A brief technical glitch halfway through the set doesn't detract from their performance, effectively warming up the crowd for the rest of the night.
Next, London’s Pupil Slicer takes the stage with their blend of mathcore and grind. Despite gremlins in the system that leave the vocals inaudible during the first half of their opening song, No Temple, the band delivers an energetic performance. Vocalist Kate Davies’ intense growls and the band's grunge-hardcore fusion get the crowd moving, opening up mosh pits. Before their final song, they take a moment to thank the audience and the other bands on the bill before launching into Wounds Upon My Skin. Their high-energy set leaves a strong impression, and with recent appearances at Bloodstock and Download festivals, they are a band to watch.
As the evening progresses, Conjurer maintains the momentum with ease. From the moment they take the stage, they embrace the challenge and deliver. Bassist Conor commands attention, whipping his long hair around like a helicopter throughout the set. With fast, riff-heavy tunes and Machine Head-style high notes, Conjurer brings the crowd to life, creating large mosh pits and plenty of head-banging. The Rugby-based band delivers a powerful performance, culminating in one of the night's highlights when the bassist joins the crowd in the mosh pit.
Up next is Heriot, a band who has been on my radar for a while. After missing their performance at this year's Download Festival, this was my first chance to see what they’re all about—and they certainly live up to the hype. Lead singer Debbie Gough may look small compared to the other members, but her powerful vocals and dynamic stage presence are anything but. Drummer Julian Gage also stands out, interacting with the crowd and even standing on his drum kit at any opportunity. Ploughing through their back catalogue at pace, their set showcases their talent and energy, solidifying their place as a standout act.
Finally, after several hours of heavy riffs and high energy from the supporting bands, it’s time for tonight's headline act, Empire State Bastard. Comprising of Simon Neil (Biffy Clyro), Dave Lombardo (Slayer), Mike Vennart (Oceansize), and Naomi Macleod, the band creates an eerie atmosphere with backlit orange lighting. Kicking off with Stutter from their 2023 debut album, the audience erupts. Having seen Biffy Clyro many times in smaller venues, I’ve witnessed first-hand what Simon, dressed all in black this evening, is capable of at intimate shows of this size. Tonight is no different as he throws himself around on stage, from moments screaming on the floor to reaching out towards the crowd. He’s clearly enjoying playing heavy music and watching the fans' enthusiastic response to songs including Moi and Harvest. Simon delivers a passionate performance, while Dave Lombardo's drumming provides a solid backbone.
It’s great to see Lombardo with the band tonight after several absences due to other commitments. We all count ourselves lucky as Simon announces it will be the last ESB show for a while with Lombardo on the drums. While fans might be disappointed by this news, there’s clear excitement that he has managed to make it work for tonight's performance.
It would be a disservice not to mention the remaining members of ESB. Despite not being as well-known as Simon and Dave, both Mike and Naomi play as a tight, well-rehearsed unit, making the whole set flow seamlessly, culminating in ESB's final song of the night, The Looming.
Despite early delays, the event is a resounding success. Drumsticks and setlists are handed out, and the crowd leaves happy, having experienced a night of exceptional performances and the launch of something special.
Photo credits: Martin Hingley Photography
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