Music lovers, just imagine a two day pub crawl that involves a shedload of bands instead of drinking (well, probably still drinking). This is Camden Crawl, which will take over 25 venues in north London this weekend.
The sprawling festival is a neat alternative for those who are unable to deal with camping, or having to hover over toilet seats. Instead you’ve got over 200 artists playing venues within spitting distance of one another, from the Roundhouse to Koko, to the Electric Ballroom, Purple Turtle and Camden Town Brewery.
Packed into the line up are acts ranging from pop-punk to rock, folk, electro-pop and loads more. There will be those you most definitely will not have heard before and some that you should have; Camden is home to some of the world’s finest hipsters, after all. Here are just some of the bands that you could catch over the course of the weekend.
Gnarwolves - Saturday @ Purple Turtle/Underworld
Leading lights among UK punk’s new breed, this Brighton-based trio will tackle both the Purple Turtle and the Underworld as part of Saturday’s festivities. The sheer energy that Gnarwolves (pictured, main) bring to their live shows will convince any crowd that they're sweating along to a garage jam session with some friends, not in a bar somewhere in Camden.
Felt Tip - Friday @ Black Cap
If you want something that will remind you of the glorious, bygone days of British pop-rock then put Felt Tip on your 'to watch' list now. Right now. These recent Fierce Panda signees have been doing the rounds in London for a little while, having released ‘Love Or Pity’ and 'Milk And Honey' in recent months.
Wildflowers - Saturday @ Good Mixer
Over at the Good Mixer, Wildflowers will deliver a refreshing combination of indie, folk and rock with the occasional country twist. Having already toured with Robert Plant and Tom Odell, this four-piece, fronted by Siddy Bennett, are growing all the time.
FEMME - Saturday @ Beatrice
If Gwen Stefani, Charlie XCX and Audrey Kitching had a love child - not sure of the logistics, but just go with it - you’d have FEMME, or Laura Bettinson. She’ll take over the Beatrice this weekend with plenty of unusual, super poppy hooks and a welcome empowering persona, following up her Fever Boy/Heartbeat single.
Miraculous Mule - Friday @ Beatrice
Imagine you're in a cowboy movie...cool, isn’t it? Anyway, you've just stepped into a saloon, in need of whiskey and maybe a fight. Miraculous Mule's Dangerous Blues would be the perfect soundtrack. Their stomping blues and country guitar will have everyone at the Beatrice forever wanting to wear fringed jeans and checked shirts.
Nai Harvest - Saturday @ Purple Turtle
The amount of noise that Nai Harvest make is mighty impressive, especially considering they are only a duo. Their old school blend of indie-rock and punk vocals, showcased on their debut album, ‘Whatever’, earlier this year, will immediately have the Purple Turtle crowd up and moving.
Ghetts - Friday @ Monarch
Already a respected artist in the rap scene, Ghetts proved his commitment to shaking things up with the experimental 'Rebel With A Cause'. Playing the Monarch on Friday night, you can expect complex rhymes and earth-shattering beats from one of the UK’s brightest new talents.
Brawlers - Saturday @ Beatrice
Brawlers are going to be big, mark my words. So, take this chance to catch them on a smaller stage while you can. Having already played with the Icarus Line and No Age and, erm, had a song featured on Made In Chelsea, this supergroup of sorts - featuring past and present members of Dinosaur Pile-Up, Leftover Crack, Castrovalva and Martyr Defiled - are ones to watch.
Bird to Beast - Saturday @ St. Michael’s Church
This duo - Sam and Hannah Hird - will take to the stage at St Michael’s Church on Saturday, with influences from the Beach Boys, Kate Bush and the Beatles mashed into their modern folk sound.
Tall Ships - Friday @ Proud
This genre-defying troupe are currently working on the follow up to their debut, ‘Everything Touching’, having spent the last couple of years playing every venue and festival with a stage and electricity supply. Expect Tall Ships to shed the underdog tag for good in the near future.
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