The Wytches, Traams and Dreller stand out at first ever Mirrors London

Photos: Cameron A G, Oceaán.

Still, there’s no doubt that on fiendish costumes and fireworks alone, Mirrors’ first year belongs to the fuzz bandits. The Black Tambourines have three criminally unsung records to their name, and any sense of injustice is justified in a fast-moving set that threatens to smash in the surrounding glass-stained windows. The four-piece switch pace and direction like it’s an inside joke or a fanciful game. If Parquet Courts master the art of acting nonplussed and impassioned at the same time, The Black Tambourines are the UK’s answer.

Photos: The Black Tambourines.

Traams and The Wytches take the baton and go skywards. New album ‘Modern Dancing’ finds the former embracing a more playful side to their heavily structured garage rock. But it’s still left to the barmy ‘Flowers’ to do the legwork. The Wytches couldn’t turn up without dressing for the occasion, but they go one further, providing Saturday’s best set; a deadly mix of ferocious noise and perfect execution.

But it’s clear Mirrors isn’t the type of festival to go without at least one new act staking their claim for big things. Dreller - a multi-instrumentalist barely out the pram and signed to Terrible / Goodbye - does exactly that. His frenzied pop isn’t dissimilar to Passion Pit, but he’s also bringing a showmanship that you can’t teach. If this turns out to be a theme for Mirrors - mixing old and new, giving each sides the same big platform - it won’t put a foot wrong in the future.

Photos: The Wytches, Traams.

All photos: Emma Swann, Carolina Faruolo.

Tags: Declan McKenna, Dream Wife, The Wytches, TRAAMS, Mirrors, Festivals, Reviews, Live Reviews