Clash kicks off its experience at the Sziget festival by immersing in the vibrant atmosphere and music on Budapest’s Island of Freedom.
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While Charli XCX may have set Brat on fire during her Glastonbury performance, her lively presence in a yellow bikini and black boots on Sziget’s main stage proves that Brat is very much alive.
It’s Thursday evening, marking the beginning of the six-day festival in Hungary. Our flight delay almost made us miss Mercury Prize winner Little Simz, who recently released her impressive sixth album, Lotus. However, as we rush to catch Brat’s performance, the unmistakable nu-metal sounds of Papa Roach resonate from the Revolut stage.
After many performances, Charli’s solo show runs like a well-oiled machine. Her commitment to the act remains unwavering, as she dances in the rain during "Blame It On Your Love" and prowls across the stage, sipping from a massive glass (the contents remain a mystery) for “Apple.” My memory of "Vroom Vroom" is hazy, consumed by the excitement of the crowd. Charli captivates with her poses, struts, and wavy hair while powering through Brat’s hits like "Guess," "365," and "Sympathy is a Knife" for an ecstatic audience. Her shades only come off briefly to acknowledge a fan’s sign during "4 u": “I can’t read that sign,” she comments wryly. “My eyesight is really bad.” She quickly returns to singing, and fans appreciate her candidness. By the time she reaches "I Don’t Care," the crowd is electric, singing along loudly. No one can resist joining in the chorus: “You’re from the seventies, BUT I’M A NINETIES BITCH!” As the performance concludes, screens display, “It wasn’t just a summer thing… It’s a forever thing xx” and a heartfelt plea: “PLEASE DON’T LET IT BE OVER.” Yet, we know better than to think the tireless performer will rest anytime soon.
We manage to catch glimpses of DJs Don Diablo and Alok dominating the Bolt Night stage, where the sound quality remains impressive even at the back, and the immersive lasers dazzle. Attempting to watch the whimsically dressed Australian duo Empire of the Sun, we find it impossible to get in due to the sheer crowd size. With fans beginning to panic and push through, we decide to make our exit. Returning to the Bolt, we enjoy Steve Angello's performance, especially from our front-row spot, where bursts of light and paper cannons create an unforgettable atmosphere.
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Post 1 a.m., a highlight of the night arrives as we witness the irony-laden and sharply dressed bad boy The Dare, who hops around like a moody Jarvis Cocker. His performance is full of energy; he yells, grabs a cymbal just to put it back, and with the strobe lighting creating a paparazzi effect, the youthful crowd can’t help but dance. His boastful tracks, including "Perfume," "Sex," and "Girls," are a blast, and everything, from his shades to his revival of rave culture, captures the essence of Brat.
The following day features a Canadian takeover, starting with the vibrant performances of four-piece band The Beaches on the main stage during golden hour, followed by Nelly Furtado and headlining Shawn Mendes. Furtado’s presence in the 2000s and 2010s was so prevalent that it’s easy to overlook her numerous hits: "Say It Right," "All Good Things," "Promiscuous," and "Morning After Dark," among others. With a live band and energetic dancers, she aims to kick off the party. Her vocal range is impressive, shifting from rapping on her Missy Elliot remix "Get You Freak On" to singing in Portuguese. The excitement crescendos as "Maneater" builds, reaching a high note (almost bird-like), before Hardwell & Maddix’s remix of "Satisfaction" ignites the crowd.
Meanwhile, Shawn Mendes, celebrating his 27th birthday at midnight, starts with "There’s Nothing Holding Me Back." His infectious energy and warm smile earn him cheers from the audience, who have camped out at the main stage long before he arrived. The crowd erupts for Mendes, whose singing sounds particularly polished tonight.
Soon, we experience Justice. The electronic duo from France delivers an electrifying set, looking stylish and unfazed amid an explosion of strobe lighting and booming sound, nearly blowing the roof off. Anyone who missed their show that night truly missed out. After 50 minutes, a mosh pit has formed, encapsulating the thrilling atmosphere.
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On Friday, Clash’s final day at Sziget, we catch beloved Stockport band Blossoms before heading to watch head
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Clash enjoys the initial days of the Sziget festival by immersing themselves in the music and getting lively on Budapest's Island of Freedom. --- --- Charli XCX could