Hit The Deck 2015

Festival season may just be stirring from its slumber but from the jilted dance of Canadian four-piece JPNSGIRLS to the fiery passion of frnkiero andthe cellabration, the Nottingham leg of Hit The Deck, bringing together a heady mix of off-kilter rock, wastes no time in setting the circuit off in style.

The likes of Allusondrugs and Black Peaks both put in charged, visceral performances that should echo throughout the summer while the slanted pop smirk of Tellison’s return is more refrained but no less cutting. The Swellers won’t be around come the autumn and with only five gigs left before they call time on the band, today is an emotional celebration of all they’ve achieved. “Remember us, we’re The Swellers,” they demand two songs from the end, “We had fun,” and from the fist in the air unity as they enter the stage to the rapturous applause that shadows every song, it’s a demand that’s easy to oblige. Brawlers may be at the other end of their journey but the reaction is just as heartfelt as their gruff, glittering punk is delivered with frantic energy and gleaming grins, holding the packed crowd in their clenched fist.