Roomer – Patterns Upstairs
⭐️ 3/5
The band delivered a dreamy, guitar-forward set built around gentle vocals and a chill astmosphere. Perfectly suited to an early morning slot, the performance gradually blew away the cobwebs and gently lifted the mood in the room. Their hazy melodies and relaxed pacing created an easy charm that drew the audience in, although the set occasionally blurred into itself, with some songs lacking enough distinction to fully stand apart from one another.
Review by Helen Hurdman
Lisl – Patterns Downstairs
⭐️ 5/5
Lisl gave us an anthemic indie-pop set packed with huge feel-good energy. Built around soaring melodies, sweet vocals, and steadily building drums, they defy you not to dance.. Despite there being only three people on stage, they created an impressively full and expansive sound.
Review by Helen Hurdman
La Plata – Horatio’s
⭐️ 4/5
Performed in Spanish, the set carried a laid-back confidence, with shimmering instrumentation balancing melodic rock energy throughout. The standout moments came during the songs featuring dual lead vocals, where the contrast between the two singers added extra depth and character. In particular, the female vocalist’s soft, delivery brought a dreamy quality that worked beautifully against the band’s driving sound.
Review by Helen Hurdman
Cinnabar – Dust
⭐️ 4/5
Delivered a high-energy, guitar-driven indie-pop set packed with instantly accessible hooks and infectious melodies. There were shades of Scouting for Girls in their upbeat sound, though with more personality and far less of a paint-by-numbers approach.
Review by Helen Hurdman
Hetta – WaterBear Venue
⭐️ 4/5
Blistering post-hardcore built on pure noise, speed, and chaos. Sweat-soaked and relentless from the very first song, blending jagged riffs and pounding rhythms with flashes of screamo-inspired aggression. Loud, chaotic, and completely uncompromising,
Review by Helen Hurdman
Mere Amore – Dust
⭐️ 3/5
The band looked like a collision of wolf cuts, football shirts, and mod fringes, bringing plenty of punk attitude from the moment the frontwoman spat water into the crowd to open the set. Beneath the chaos was an impressively controlled vocal performance, although it was surprising that, with five people on stage, the sound did not always feel fuller. Still, their energy and individuality made them a band worth keeping an eye on.
Review by Helen Hurdman
Fellatio – Charles Street Tap
⭐️ 4/5
It is not the kind of music you would necessarily put on during a car journey, but as a live experience it was strange, entertaining, and impossible to look away from. For all its eccentricity, there was still enough four-to-the-floor energy underneath to make it surprisingly accessible.
Review by Helen Hurdman
Mina Taka – Charles Street Tap
⭐️ 4/5
From riot grrrl-style yells of “I don’t want to” while thrashing away on a pink guitar, to more controlled and melodic moments, the set was packed with personality and fearless energy. Her voice faltered occasionally, but it did little to take away from an exciting and distinctive performance.
Review by Helen Hurdman
Quiet Man – Fabrica
⭐️ 5/5
A beautiful, soulful stripped-back set built around emotive vocals and stunning songwriting. His voice moved effortlessly between delicate and haunting moments, showcasing an impressive vocal range that carried real emotional weight throughout. Despite the intimacy of the music, the stage presence never felt heavy, with warm and witty between-song patter keeping the crowd laughing
Review by Helen Hurdman
Skinny Dyck – Green Door Store
⭐️ 3.5/5
Bluesy, funky tunes – Skinny Dyck brought some real country vibes to an early set. Alongside his vocal talent and charm, the music brings a small-town vibe without being too singular.
Review by Louiza Trocchia
Keyah Blue – Brighthelm
⭐️ 4/5
Keyah Blue is definitely carving out a space just for herself. She has a beautiful voice and holds her own switching between rapping and ballad choruses. She produces her own music, combining indie rock, rap, electronic – impressive vocals and a bit more grunge with a South London edge.
Review by Louiza Trocchia
Slow Leaves – Green Door Store
⭐️ 4/5
Lyrically beautiful, Slow Leaves’ songs are imbued with a sweet sadness. Endearing soft indie, his command of the stage makes him a pleasure to watch. A self-professed ‘sad song’ writer, his music definitely charms.
Review by Louiza Trocchia
Argyle – Komedia Studio
⭐️ 3.5/5
Argyle has that resounding deep voice made for belting out the emotional lyrics of his music. With blues infused rock and song themes like addiction and heartbreak, his sound is similar to Rag’n’bone Man. Despite the emotional weight of his songs, the singer was quite the crowd-worker and brought lots of laughter in between tracks.
Review by Louiza Trocchia
Leila – Komedia Studio
⭐️ 4/5
Swiss artists continue to impress at this years festival. Leila’s grungier pop indie tunes fit her eclectic style of spoken word-esque interludes and belter choruses. ‘Copy and Paste’ was a standout track, especially since some of the percussion came from a glass beer bottle.
Review by Louiza Trocchia
East Exchange – Daltons
⭐️ 4/5
East Exchange’s songs are so reminiscent of early 2000’s rock that came out of the US. A good mix between the vocal characteristics of Nickleback and sound of bands like Good Charlotte – super fun set.
Review by Louiza Trocchia
Spacestation – Horatios
⭐️ 3.5/5
With a great mix of post-punk elements and fuzzy shoegaze, Spacestation showcases the gritty underground sound emerging from Iceland.
Review by Louiza Trocchia
Hot Face – Charles Street Tap
⭐️ 4/5
Grungy thrash that had even the bass player banging his head. Big guitar riffs – think 90’s rock explosive energy. The name fits what happens when you start getting into the music.
Review by Louiza Trocchia
Floodhounds – Waterbear music bar
⭐️ 3.5/5
Heavy guitar and big drums make Floodhounds a full energy set. Very punky edge but could be more refined in their confidence and delivery.
Review by Louiza Trocchia
Heathers – Charles Street Tap
⭐️ 3.5/5
Heathers delivered great fuzzy rock tunes with suave and punchy energy. He definitely has the sound and the style.
Review by Louiza Trocchia
Ally Nicholas – Daltons
⭐️ 4/5
Ally Nicholas punched through the noise with a great rock sound and powerful, sultry vocals. Elements of heavier grunge and shoegaze made this a really enjoyable set.
Review by Louiza Trocchia
Y – Horatios
⭐️ 4/5
Y have a strong sense of sound. Think BadBadNotGood – heavier, more rock influence, and even some ska elements as well. The tracks stay interesting through the set and the band deliver with style and a bit of edge.
Review by Louiza Trocchia
Humane the Moon – Charles Street Tap
⭐️ 3.5/5
Humane the Moon built up the energy and laid it all out for his set. Alternative with dynamic indie elements.
Review by Louiza Trocchia
Internet Cafe – Dust
⭐️ 4/5
Internet Cafe have an alternative electro-pop sound and great tracks. Think similar to Fcukers style. Fun, refreshing, talented. Excited to see their music evolve and fan base grow.
Review by Louiza Trocchia
EVERYDAY SAINTS – WATERBEAR
⭐️ 4/5
Confident and highly performative despite a few mistakes. pounding drums, attitude and strong chemistry between both vocalists. confidence from the moment they stepped on stage, pearls in hand and commanding crowd interaction added to the theatrical feel of the performance, lifting the mic stand and entering the crowd made the set difficult not to dance along to, strong synergy between performers
Review by Izzy Ware
CALL ME FRANCO – WATERBEAR
⭐️ 4.5/5
Guitar-led indie set full of energy, warmth and clear charisma from the band throughout. Built around tight, guitar work and upbeat rhythms, the performance had a strong sense of momentum from start to finish, making it hard not to move along with the music. One of the highlights of the weekend.
Review by Izzy Ware
