Community Festival 2018: Top Picks
Community Festival is a brand new music festival in London’s Finsbury Park, in its second year for 2018. Only featuring two stages, the main stage and the N4 stage for emerging artists, the festival creates a perfect balance of new music discovery whilst watching your favourite childhood bands. We take you through our top ones from this year’s festival…
Yungblud
Punk influenced rock star Yungblud, aka Dominic Harrison, brought a brand new vigor to the N4 stage at Community. Just days after his own sold out headline at Dingwalls, the new artist thrives on his ability to relate to his young audience. Invoking a massive uproar from the crowd of Community dedicating his music to ‘anyone who feels misunderstood,’ unlocking and vocalsing the frustration felt in today's teen and young adult populartion, Yungblud is well on his way to becoming a voice of the people. Yet he still provides an uplifting entertainment factor in his performance, with flamboyant dance moves and a stylish stage presence, (and jumping higher than anyone else on the line up). His song ‘anarchist’ was one to remember, as well as previewing songs for his debut album to be released later this week.
Ten Tonnes
Within seconds of starting his first song, there was already a wild mosh pit at the N4 stage for Ten Tonnes. He performed some of his older songs from his first self released EP titled ‘Lucy,’ a very not-so-subtlely named song addressed to an ex girlfriend, and took us all the way to present day with his newest single ‘Lay It On Me,’ this one released through his label Warner. Though he has a band to accompany him, and despite what the name may indicate, Ten Tonnes is actually a solo artist Ethan Barnett. At times he stepped away from the rock inspired set to perform solo, such as his romantic song ‘Love Me To Death.’ It’s safe to say that he’ll be upgraded to festival main stages in no time as he won’t be an “emerging artist” for much longer.
Pale Waves
Pale Waves took to the N4 stage just before headliner Tom Grennan. This pure-pop band have turned the music industry upside down with their revolutionary gothic aestheticised pop songs. Signed to renowned label Dirty Hit, the coolest indie label with the most major artists about right now, the group bring a new distinct sound. Pale Waves performed new hits ‘Kiss’ and ‘Eighteen,’ tracks heavily supported by Radio 1 and Annie Mac, as well as their older tunes ‘Heavenly’ which formed their signature sound when they exploded on the scene earlier this year. Lead vocalist Heather Baron-Gracie characterises the sound of the band with her bright, crystal clear delivery of lyrics and emotive tone which certainly makes Pale Wave Ones to Watch.
Sam Fender
Sam Fender is a guy who you can catch on every single festival line up this year, rapidly accumulating fans from each corner of England that he reaches. He performed his new release ‘Leave Fast’ solo, gathering huge cheers at lyrics calling out the government for widespread homelessness in his hometown of Newcastle. The song also marks his first release under new label Polydor (Universal), and shows a slower side of him after his string of guitar heavy, high energy releases. Playing these with his full band behind him, his popular songs include ‘Greasy Spoon’ and ‘Start Again,’ which led to a longlist on BBC’s Sound Poll for 2018. All in all, listening to Sam live is always a good time. His voice takes over the field and is unmissable.
Sundara Karma
They were one of the newest bands to grace the Community main stage, yet Sundara Karma were one of the most anticipated artists of the day by the festival goers. Performing tracks from their full length album of 2017 ‘Youth Is Only Ever Fun In Retrospect,’ the group are reminiscent of the guitar music that would have introduced many rock fans to the genre in the first place – sans electronica. The band also have a strong level of funky rhythms and bass lines, creating an uplifting atmosphere perfect for the London summer sun. Each and every song is liberating and anthemic, and makes even their newest crowd members wish they knew the words.
Two Door Cinema Club
As the N4 stage closed up, the entire festival came together to watch Two Door Cinema Club headline the main stage for the only second ever instalment of Community Festival. Their song ‘What You Know’ was of course a highlight of their set, delivering the bright, easily recognisable guitar riff that made the band widely championed on the radio since their formation. The laid back nature of the band, along with the confetti and fireworks that though predictable, are always welcome, made for a perfect ending to this Sunday evening in the sunset and blistering heat that London’s been giving us.