Photo Credit: @ianthe.w / Website / Twitter/X / Facebook
Back in the summer of 2023, the first ever GORILLAFEST took place at the Gorilla Beer Hall in Mexborough, attracting a sell-out crowd as nine of the finest up and coming acts performed on a scorching Saturday down by the Meccie Riviera. To kick off 2024, the organisers announced the second event, once again hosting a series of names and bringing in yet another capacity crowd to the ever growing Mexborough venue.
Opening the show were fellow South Yorkshire band AT THE ARCADE. The quintet from Rotherham kicked off with their raw rock sound, featuring exquisite solos and a blend of lead and backing vocals that work perfectly. The stand out track of their set was ‘Cocaine Dreams’ while their new 80’s inspired song demonstrates the band’s versatility.
THE SILVER LINES, a quartet from Birmingham were up next. The four boys drew a sizable crowd for their performance, and with a selection of people in attendance, who were sporting T-shirts, indicated that there were many people were already familiar with them. Their song ‘Hotel Room’ had the front hopping along throughout, and the in the room mirrored the bands movement perfectly.
Steel city outfit MATILDA SHAKES have been gaining popularity over the years, with a headline show at The Leadmill lined up for March, this was the perfect warm-up. Their single ‘Fever Dream’ got the room bouncing from the off. The leather jacket wearing mob was easily the heaviest of the acts on the day, and it was certainly a welcomed change of pace to treat the Mexborough crowd to.
Following on from a host of fantastic openers, MEGAN WYN and her band were a great addition to bring it down a level with their mellower indie pop sound. Megan’s powerful vocals accompanied by a soothing sound from her band shows the diversity the UK indie scene has to offer on these stacked line-ups. Even though the tone was brought down a notch, the crowd was still in full force and her set was well received across the room.
The smartly dressed VIVAS were up next as they brought their fast paced rock anthems to Mexborough to keep the place bouncing. The steel city quartets energetic hit ‘Vinyl Girl’ went down a treat, but it was their cover of ‘Not Nineteen Forever’ that got everybody in the room singing along. They concluded their set with the stadium banger ’Sweet Talker’; VIVAS certainly attracted a host of new fans on the night.
THE COVASETTES from Manchester are known for having a good time, and this year’s Gorillafest was no exception. The quartet’s upbeat performance is deserving of being the highlight of any lineup thanks to its indie pop vibe, which is sure to make everyone grin. The youthful North West band received an incredible reaction on the night with the audience growing increasingly animated as the show went on, giving the lads a warm feeling for them to hold on to as they returned across the Pennines later that night.
Undoubtedly the most anticipated act of the evening was THE LILACS. Even before the young band was scheduled to perform, the venue was brimming with fans donning t-shirts and bucket hats, and when it was finally time for them to make their way on stage, the audience went wild. The crowd joined in with ‘Sticky Dancefloors’ and ‘Grace’, a pair of hits from the set. Frontman Ollie Anglesea handed over his set list that was written on a torn up Strongbow box to the crowd amusements, whilst drummer Dave Gomersall received a new eye watering designed shirt from an audience member. The fan favourite ‘Vicarage Road‘ completed THE LILACS‘s spectacular set.
After a long day of music, it was time for the almighty TRAMPOLENE to take to the stage. The trio are an experience that is worth any music fans times, their energetic grunge inspired set really brings out a new light to the genre. The exquisite poetry from Jack Jones on ‘Ketamine’ and the haunting ‘Uncle Brians Abattoir’ are undoubtedly the completed opposite to their single ‘Alcohol Kiss’ which encouraged the remaining attendees to use their remaining energy up. Jack is a charming natural frontman, who isn’t afraid to wind down during the bands live performances and certainly knows when to crank it up a notch too. Despite being the only band on the bill that consists of three members, TRAMPOLENE were by far the rowdiest bunch.
The beers were in full flow throughout the day, despite the cold weather outside, everybody joined together inside to witness yet another sell out show at Mexborough’s premier venue Gorilla Beer Hall. Can they go for the hat-trick?
Gorillafest returns on Saturday 17th August 2024. Tickets are on sale HERE.
Taped Magazine 