GALLERY + REVIEW: Wide Awake Festival 2023
Wide Awake Festival 2023
Brockwell Park - London, UK - May 27th, 2023
Photos by Robert Barrett (@robertbarrett_photography)
In a bank holiday weekend bursting to the brim with incredible UK festivals, it can be hard to stand out from the crowd. That’s where Wide Awake Festival comes in, offering a truly unique one day line-up in the heart of London’s Brockwell Park.
This year the festival had been reduced to a single day, but this meant a much larger main stage and a completely stacked lot of exciting artists from start to finish. The sun was beaming as the attendees entered through the gates, those early enough were treated to a terrific performance from Blondshell. The fuzzy guitars and biting lyrics were the perfect appetiser for what was to come.
With 6 different stages within easy walking distance, there was never a moment the music stopped. Over in the Moth Club tent, The Bug Club played a tasty set of rock and roll jams, perfect for those taking shelter from the sun. For those in search of a bit more of a boogie, superstar VTSS played a bouncy techno set to a packed Resident Advisor tent.
If you were savvy enough, you could catch a couple of your favourite acts at the Rough Trade signing tent. Or perhaps even pick up some super rare vinyl from the Third Man Records pop up tent. Plenty of choice for those wanting some respite from the music.
Back on the mainstage, Alex G provided a dreamy afternoon set the showcased his incredible song writing talent. Caroline Polachek even popped out to duet on his classic “Mission”, a real delight for the crowd. Then back over in a packed Moth Club tent, rising stars Jockstrap played their specific brand of pop music. It was funky, dancy, explored unusual sonic territories, and never boring. “Greatest Hits” had the tent singing along, before lead singer Georgia Ellery disappeared to get ready for her next performance with Black Country, New Road.
With massive and well stocked bars, along with a smorgasbord of food offerings. The crowd were well fed and “watered’ in time for Viagra Boys, who instantly incited the first main stage moshpit of the day. “I need the freaks” pronounced lead singer Sebastian Murphy before launching into “Punk Rock Loser”, and boy did the freaks deliver. Feet, hands, beer and dust all kicked up into the afternoon sun, an unforgettable performance.
People needed a pallet cleanser before the evenings headline choices, and Black Country, New Road were the band of choice. With the late afternoon sun gleaming its golden light across the audience, they played a completely new set of songs which were as entrancing, unusual and fascinating as ever.
As the sun set over the nearby tower blocks, London’s own Shygirl took the stage for what would be one of the highlights. Bringing her mix of hyperpop and club music out of the dark venues and into golden hour, her talent on full display for the crowd to see. Her sexually-charged lyrics were perfectly spelled out by the show’s sign language interpreter without hesitation (shoutout to the festival for providing this service all day). Ending with a spectacular confetti display; this really was a showcase of the huge star she will be going forward.
As for the festival headliners— whatever your musical taste, you were treated a world class show. For the dance heads over in the Resident Advisor tent, Daniel Avery was spinning up a hometown set to remember. For the rockers, the legendary OSees brought chaos and disorder to the 2nd stage. It took nearly thirty second for the entire front section of the crowd to kick up dust. “We always love a London show”, and it sure did show. On the main stage was a master class in pop, with Caroline Polachek’s first ever festival headline show. “This is my dream festival line up, and it’s an honour to be headlining it” she stated. Her set shone the light on songs across her catalogue, “Sunset” couldn’t have been a more appropriate number to play with its flamenco guitars feeling at home with the setting sun. It may have been her first festival headline, but it sure won’t be her last.
With the perfect blend of great line-up, great food and drink offerings, and glorious British sunshine. There was no better place to kick off the festival season than at Wide Awake festival.
