After completely selling out in 2016, Camden Rocks is back for its 7th year with over 200 bands playing 20+ venues across one of London’s hippest areas. Camden is home to some of the most iconic London venues, many of which are frequented by up and coming talent, making it the perfect host for a festival that takes pride in promoting emerging acts.
“As always, the festival is as much about the emerging talent out there as it is the more established bands so get down early to catch some of these great new artists before they go supernova.” –Event organiser Chris McCormack
Camden Rocks Festival 2018 venues include: Koko, Electric Ballroom, The Underworld, Dingwalls, Proud, The Cuban, Monarch, The, Lyttelton Arms, Camden Assembly, Devonshire Arms, Roundhouse Studio, Dublin Castle, Blackheart, Fiddlers Elbow, Dingwalls Canalside, Belushis, The Hawley Arms, Brewdog, Camden Market, and The Crescent.
With such a vast number of talent performing at the festival, we could be making recommendations until Christmas, but these are the 7 top Punktastic picks.
Twin Atlantic
Despite their ever-increasing popularity, Scottish rockers Twin Atlantic seem to have a strong preference for more alternative festivals.
The band is currently in the studio writing and recording new killer tracks for us to enjoy, and with any luck, we’ll be treated a sneak preview during their set at Camden Rocks. Combining political undertones, a deep-rooted love for their home city of Glasgow, and dirty, raw rock music, Twin Atlantic consistently put on one hell of a show and shouldn’t be missed.
Maximo Park
Having been around for more than 17 years, and with 6 albums to their name, Maximo Park have had plenty of time to perfect their indie-rock sound. By recently implementing – as many bands do in 2018 – heavy synths into their more recent material, the band has successfully complemented their signature sound, showing their willingness to grow.
The 4 piece will be headlining the day at one of Camden’s finest venues, Koko, treating us to an intimate performance like no other. The band’s latest album, ‘Risk to Exist’, is a political and social comment on the state of the world and, when performed live, will undoubtedly serve as a cathartic outlet for everyone in attendance.
Mallory Knox
Following the departure of lead singer Mikey Chapman back in February, Mallory Knox made the brave decision to remain a four piece, with co-vocalist Sam Douglas taking over as lead singer. Since then, the band have only played a handful of shows with the new configuration, and while older fans might be worried, these shows seem to have gone down a treat. The band have grown over their years together, and seem to be determined to do so, even without Mikey.
If you’re looking for deeper lyrics with music that you can’t help to dance to, Mallory Knox are definitely worth checking out.
Eliza and the Bear
While their name suggests otherwise, Eliza and the Bear are, in fact, a 4-piece all-male indie- rock band from London. While on paper this may not sound all that inspiring, the band have garnered quite the social following over the past few years and are all set to release their second album.
Since 2011, the band has worked on cementing their signature sound, taking from influences such as The Flaming Lips and making it their own, both on record and on stage in various festival and support slots across the UK and Europe. Eliza and the Bear’s new track, ‘Real Friends’, takes angst, indie-rock and pop, and mixes them together to make one hell of a catchy tune that makes them well worth checking out on the day.
The Faim
Having understandably been compared to Panic! at the Disco, Aussie band The Faim have been making a name for themselves all over the world through their support slots with Lower Than Atlantis and Sleeping With Sirens. Think ‘A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out’. We’re back in 2005 when angsty pop punk reigned supreme and it is glorious.
The Faim are currently touring off the back of just 2 released tracks, but the live show is sure to provide more material, more reasons to get excited and more reasons to fall completely in love with these guys.
Findlay
26-year-old Natalie Rose Findlay became a musician because she feels like she “can’t really do anything else” so it’s pretty lucky that the one thing she can do, she does really, really well. Her alternative/indie-rock tunes are filled with attitude, and while much of her music is drowning in synths, her sheer musical talent shines through.
Her live performances are endlessly energetic and entertaining, and bring her ethereal music to life.
The Amorettes
This female trio have redefined femininity to mean power, assertiveness and pure rock ‘n’ roll with their own take on classic rock. The Amorettes claim to have been influenced by bands such as AC/DC, Motorhead and Iron Maiden, influences that are evident in their complex riffs and scratchy yet always in tune vocals.
Born and raised in Scotland, these women have an impressive portfolio, scoring support slots for well renowned bands such as Black Stone Cherry. They are fiery, strong-minded and assertive, all of which they channel through their music and which is sure to translate to make an incredible live performance.