1234 Festival

When you think of Shoreditch, what do you see? Dodgy haircuts? Glasses with the lenses taken out? Handlebar moustaches? Being a London outsider myself, I’m guilty of thinking this. I’ve always thought Shoreditch was more of a place for hipsters to discuss their favourite knitted cardigan than to see a new music festival. This was before I set my eyes on a poster for 1234; a £20 festival that offers some of the most exciting bands around at the moment, and is headlined by The Buzzcocks. It’s like a dream come true.

It’s not until you’re waiting to get into the park and you check the schedule do you realise the sheer amount of acts playing; six stages, with a constant turnover of bands playing all day. Tough decisions have to be made. As soon as the gates open, the music comes thick and fast. Drop Out Venus provide the ultimate start to the day with their dirty blues fuelled rock n roll, followed by the hugely anticipated La Femme on the Bleeding Hearts Narrative stage, who deliver their synth driven disco pop with style, playing crowd favourites like ‘Sur La Planche’ and ‘Telegraphe’, proving they’re one of most exciting exports France has had in the past few years.

Changing the pace a bit, Nightmare Air take to the Artrocker stage. On record they sound like a mixture between School Of Seven Bells and You Say Party!, but live they have a touch of the Mars Volta to them (though this could be down to the guitarist’s massive hair). Another big highlight comes later on the same stage when Bristol boys Spectres deliver an energetic wall of noise to a packed crowd. Thriving off feedback and distortion, their infectious nu gaze leaves the stage rattling and many people’s ears ringing.

The words ‘hype’ and ‘buzz’ could be used to describe pretty much every band on this line up, but they’re particularly valid when talking about the double bill that is Bo Ningen and Savages. Bo Ningen’s set is absolutely extraordinary. Playing a wild, genre defying psych/kraut/punk infused set, the Japanese quartet drip with excitement and frenzy, and the crowd are nearly as energetic, if that’s even possible. Next, Savages’ sound is tight and the hype seems justified, though they just can’t compete with being the next band on after Bo Ningen. But then, who could?

The main stage sees action from bands like the psychedelic Dirty Beaches and chaotic female duo Deap Vally before 1977 punk legends Buzzcocks. They play a set full of punk classics, opening with the stripped down early hit ‘Boredom’ and finishing with ‘Orgasm Addict’ and ‘Ever Fallen In Love’, which prompts mass sing-alongs. The band still have the energy and enthusiasm they had 30 odd years ago, looking like they’re having just as much fun up on stage as the old punks are in the mosh pit. If only the same could be said about headliners Iceage, who all look like they’d much rather be doing something else. The Danish quartet have been hotly tipped ever since they released their wonderful debut full-length ‘New Brigade’ in 2011, which blends post punk and noise to make one of the best albums of the year. They storm through their headline set with quick two minute bursts, smash up a couple of microphones and disappear off stage. It isn’t your typical festival headline slot, that’s for sure.

The contrast between the two headliners sums up the festival. The eclectic and diverse nature of the line up, along with the sheer amount of bands playing, means that there’s something for everyone. To achieve this in one day, and for the ticket price to be so low is astounding. 1234, we salute you.