Live Review: Desertfest - Friday
16th May 2023
Featuring: Elephant Tree, The Devil and The Almighty Blues, Lowrider, Stoned Jesus, Elder, Servo, Hippie Death Cult
Words: Matthew Williams
Photos: Jessi Lotti, Sam Huddleston
The excitement levels for Desertfest were off the scale, and not even late running trains leaving could dampen the enthusiasm for what was going to be one hell of a weekend.
Walking out of Camden Town tube station and heading down to a sun-drenched Greenland Place, I took part in one of my favourite pastimes, checking out people’s t-shirts. With that first sip of the Lost & Grounded specially brewed Desertfest Helles lager, I had finally arrived at the country’s mecca for everything stoner and doom.
As I traversed my way to the Electric Ballroom, the queue to see Elephant Tree was huge, mainly because the doors hadn’t opened at their expected time, so when I got in, the four piece were already a few songs into their set. With bassist and vocalist Pete Holland sounding in fine form, they fly through their set, with a mix of heaviness and smoothness. They get big cheers from the “this is the first time we’ve played Desertfest” line and when Pete’s bass string snaps, we get stories about tuna baguettes and comas, so an intriguing mix.
Upon their return, “Aphotic Blues”, rings around the venue, with a heavy synth sound. They work very well together on stage, and when the time comes for the “we’ve got one more song” the crowd get going and enjoy the finale immensely. We’ve arrived at Desertfest, and what a first band to start it all off with.
Next up at the Electric Ballroom were Norwegian bluesy rockers The Devil and The Almighty Blues. I enjoy their music but was unsure how it would translate live, however, I didn’t need to worry, as they were my surprise package of the day. With a slow build up, that sounded incredible, singer Arnt O Anderson, salutes the crowd with a can, before serenading us with “Salt the Earth”. His voice is stunning, and they flow effortlessly into “Darken my Door” followed by “Tired Old Dog”.
They have a touch of southern fried goodness about them, think early Black Crowes, and with tempo changes all over the pace and a bass sound to die for, they create a sound full of atmosphere and joyfulness. The solos are amazing, and we are treated to an extra-long rendition of “Time Ruins Everything” which showcased all their talents. With that slow and heavy trademark sound, they finish with “The Ghosts of Charlie Barracuda” and when that riff kicks in, it really is something to embrace and enjoy. They leave to huge applause.
With the venue filling up, I decided against trying to leave to see other bands and it’s a good job, as next up were Swedish superstars Lowrider. With bassist and singer Peder Bergstrand whipping the crowd up, they have a cool intro and momentum quickly builds. They have a dreamy feel to their sound and when they play “And the Horse You Rode in On” the audience get properly involved, and the drums get a proper pounding.
The sliding guitar sound at the opening of “Ode to Ganymede” signals a dynamic song that I couldn’t wait to hear, and crowd surfers start to appear. We get “Through the Rift” at the request of one lady on social media who apparently said “she’d melt if they played this one” so Bergstrand asks us to look out for puddles. Heads are rocking all over the place, as the song is of the highest quality. They finish with a flourish, as a prominent piano sound rings out as the song drifts beautifully, with the promise of “hugs for everyone at the bar and the merch stand”.
Ukrainian stoner rock gods Stoned Jesus are one of the main reasons I’m here, and with frontman Igor Sydorenko on fine form, they open with “Porcelain” and the strong bass sound instantly has the packed crowd in the palms of their hands. “Hello Desertfest, we are Stoned Jesus from Ukraine, are you ready?” Oh hell yes we are, and the riffs are plentiful and loud. The rendition of “Black Woods” was something to behold, with Sabbath-esque rhythms creating a haunting and scary ambience, which I adored.
“Do you like the new guys?” Igor asks, before my favourite song of the day, “Here Comes the Robots” provoking wild scenes in the crowd. It was incredible to watch, and it felt like the festival was now in full swing. “That was too much fun, so now for something serious” as he talks about the war in their homeland, and applause breaks out to show solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
With the gentle, soft opening bars of “Bright Like the Morning” they switch tempos and even during the slowest part of the song, there’s a crowd surfer, before the expressive bass sound for “I’m the Mountain” begins, and the composition comes alive. There are clap along sections, and at one point, Igor takes his guitar off and jumps into the crowd. It’s a stellar song, which we all love. “We will play one more song, because we love you motherfuckers, but please help us out with these two words, Electric and Mistress” and off it goes. We are entertained with a melody of riffs from other songs, including Smoke on the Water and Seven Nation Army as they finish off their storming set.
After a brief period watching headliners Elder, I hot footed it over to The Black Heart, as in my naivety, I expected it already be packed out in anticipation of watching Hippie Death Cult later in the evening, but as I climbed the stage, the room was empty, so I stayed and watched Servo. As the room filled up, this rumbling/droning sound took over and I felt as if I was back in the 1980’s.
I didn’t know much about the trio but after opening with “Island” and following it with “Thank you/Maniac” I found myself in a trance like state as they have a strong gothic, synth vibe with strobes going all over the place. It was hypnotic to watch and they continue their set with “Glitch 2.1” and by this time, the assembled masses were totally glued and transfixed.
“Giants” followed, and with singer/guitarist Arthur Pierre displaying his great vocal range, they reminded me in parts of Joy Division, with some high-pitched wailing thrown in for good measure. I loved the echoey vocals, and before “Day and Night Monsters” Pierre asks us if “we are having a good time” which gets huge positive cheers. “We are from France and so happy to be here” and they continue with “Stadium” and the brilliant “Who Else Likes Surprises”. They finish their set with “O God” and leave with a ringing endorsement from the crowd, who are smiling at what they’ve just witnessed.
For me, today was leading up to one band and I got near to the front to watch Oregan’s Hippie Death Cult. The Black Heart was rammed, the heat was overwhelming, but when the trio emerged and the intro kicked in, we produced a performance that will live long in the memory.
“Arise” just exploded with a hellishly loud noise, the stage bathed in green lights, as Laura’s vocals took over. So much so, that she had to ask, “there’s a real loud crackle up here, can you hear that?” The source of the problem was Eddie Brnabic’s guitar, but with that quickly sorted, they powered into “Squid” with the supreme bass sound, making your ears bleed. Or maybe that was just me, as I was stood underneath the huge speaker stage left.
The trio’s performance then went up several notches, as they slowly built up into “Shine On” before the explosive sound kicks out. The military style drumming from Harry Silvers signals the start of the remarkable “Red Giant” with Eddie’s guitar sound bouncing off the walls. A pit now emerges, the place is going crazy, as this is what we’ve waited all day for.
They are a well-oiled machine, comfortable with each other and looking so at ease on stage and you get the feeling that they are having fun, with lots of smiling between Laura and Eddie. After the song of the night “Toxic Annihilator” which you just must hear live to fully appreciate the brilliance, Harry puts down his sticks and performs a drum solo with his hands ripping across his kit. It’s great fun to watch him up close and he gets a rapturous applause.
You get the softer side of their music during “Shadows”, lots of echoes, before the force emerges and you are back on familiar ground with the crushing sound. A beaming Laura announces that “we’ve got one more for you, thanks for sticking around” as they end with “Mile High – Mars”. People are stood open mouthed, mesmerised by the performance, and then, “we have time for one more don’t we?” so they blast out Black Sabbath’s “Fairies Wear Boots” to finish off a monumental set, and wrap up day one of Desertfest.
All photo credits: Jessi Lotti, Sam Huddleston
