At the end of April, a hazy cloud of dust and smoke will once again engulf the nation’s capital when Desertfest returns to London. Taking residence at five Camden venues across three days over the Bank Holiday weekend, the event features some of the best, most diverse artists from the worlds of doom, sludge, stoner, metal, and psychedelia.
It will see the return of the mighty Slo Burn after twenty years, a death punk party from Turbonegro, and a monolithic 90-minute performance from the masters of stoner rock, Sleep. Not to mention sets from Candlemass, Wear Your Wounds, Inter Arma, Saint Vitus, Zombi, The Picturebooks, and dozens more.
To help get you in the mood for one of the most unique festivals in the country, we have compiled a mammoth playlist of as many of the bands playing as possible. We have also selected ten of the most unmissable bands appearing at Desertfest.
Bongzilla
The Underworld, Saturday: 21:00 – 22:15
The Roundhouse, Sunday: 15:15 – 16:15
No, you didn’t just read that wrong, and we aren’t in a marijuana induced coma. Bongzilla are playing two sets at Deserfest this year, both of which will be different but equally potent. Returning to London for the first time in 14 years, their Saturday set will celebrate the early years of the band, while at The Roundhouse they will cover their entire career. Whenever Bongzilla bring their sludge/stoner metal to life, it’s always a crushing trip of down tuned riffs to carry you into the ether.
Candlemass
The Roundhouse, Sunday: 19:45 – 20:45
Black Sabbath may be considered the first doom band (and the reason we are all here, really) but there’s no denying Candlemass played a huge part in defining the sound. They have had their ups and downs, and a number of line-up changes, but the Swedish band still sound as relevant as they did on the 1986 album, ‘Epicus Doomicus Metallicus’. Ten albums later, Candlemass are still summoning dark spirits, and will be unmissable when they take to the stage at The Roundhouse.
Celeste
The Underworld, Saturday: 16:30 – 17:45
Less than six months after they last played at The Underworld, the French blackened crust/hardcore band will return for another jarring set. Often playing in complete darkness, save for L.E.D headlights cutting through walls of smoke, Celeste are a remarkable sight. With little room for respite within their caustic sound, they are one of the most unmissable bands of the weekend.
Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard
The Black Heart, Saturday: 19:00 – 19:45
Could this band have any more of a generic doom metal name? You have a Pliocene-era beast, the leaf, Spell-casting mysticism, and the word Bastard. Everything signals towards Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard being heavier than holy hell, and it’s true, they are. Their slow, monolithic riffs are carried by vocalist Jessica Ball’s’ eerie, wailing vocals, and The Black Heart may not survive their ferocious performance.
Sleep
The Roundhouse, Sunday: 21:15 – 22:45
Without a doubt, Sleep are one of the most beloved stoner rock bands of all time. Their slow, methodical riffs played at high volume and penchant for indulging in the devil’s lettuce at every given opportunity has amassed them a large following for over twenty-five years. Each record has been a masterpiece in its own right, and their magnum opus, ‘Dopesmoker’, remains one of the most mind-bending experiences ever recorded. With a new album expected to be released later this year, who knows what they will pull out of the bag when they close The Roundhouse at Desertfest.
Slo Burn
The Electric Ballroom, Friday: 22:00 – 23:15
As always in the music business, never say never. Formed from the ashes of the one and only Kyuss by John Garcia, Slo Burn disbanded way before their time after only a handful of releases. Now, some 20 years after their split, stoner rock powerhouse will take to the stage at Desertfest. It is a sight that many never thought they would see, and Slo Burn will no doubt bring the first day of Desertfest to a close in style.
Turbonegro
The Electric Ballroom, Saturday: 20:30 – 21:45
Turbojugend assemble. It’s time for the ultimate festival band, and possibly one of the greatest death punk bands of all time, Turbonegro, to return to London. They are no doubt the most uplifting band across the weekend, and after a few beers everyone will have a smile on their face. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be serious. They are still politically driven, and have no issue mocking the constitution. Welcome to the apocalypse, dudes.
Wear Your Wounds
The Underworld, Sunday: 17:00 – 17:45
Jacob Bannon is known for being the visceral vocalist of the iconic Converge, yet for Wear Your Wounds, we see a different side of him. Influenced by The Cure, Swans, Pink Floyd and more, Bannon lays everything on the line and exposes his emotions like never before. His beautifully articulated words drift across everything from neo folk to sludge, taking you on a heart wrenching journey. What makes this set even more special is that it will be Wear Your Wounds first ever UK performance.
Wolves In The Throne Room
The Roundhouse, Sunday: 18:15 – 19:15
Combining gritty black metal, ambient soundscapes, and shimmering electronics, Wolves In The Throne Room take you on a journey across astral plains. This rare UK appearance from the Weaver brothers will no doubt be one of the most mesmerising experiences of the weekend. Having a number of guest musicians, including a recent three guitar line up, it will be aural endurance test but ultimately, a satisfying one.
Zombi
The Black Heart, Friday: 22:00 – 23:15
OK, so they may clash directly with Slo Burn, but Zombi are also another band you must at least try and catch some of at Desertfest. The Italian synth-prog duo returned in 2015 with their stunning album, ‘Shape Shift’, sounding almost like the soundtrack Goblin never wrote, to a film that hasn’t been made. If you can divide your time between here and The Electric Ballroom, Zombi will not disappoint.
Desertfest takes place at various venues around Camden on April 28-30, and tickets are on sale now. More information can be found at the official Desertfest website.