Down Stokes makes a bold entrance into the crowded multi-venue festival scene in Bristol, aiming to establish its own unique identity and create an experience for psychedelic rock enthusiasts. Now in its third year, the growth of the event, organized by local promoters Velvet Echoes and Extra Terrestrial, is palpable. As you walk down Stokes Croft towards Attic Bar, the venue presents an immediately inviting atmosphere, illuminated by neon lights as Pocket Sun takes the stage. Thursday serves as a three-act preview for the festival's main weekend events. Next up is Magic Shoppe, a shoegaze band from Boston, MA, whose blend of heavy guitars and hints of psychedelia, coupled with driving basslines, gets the crowd moving right away. The audience is swept up by their ethereal soundscapes, with layers of distortion creating powerful waves of energy.
Following them, Mild Orange delivers a cathartic burst of indie music. The New Zealand quintet infuses their songs with a gentle sense of hope during the first performance of what lead singer Josh Mehrtens describes as a “mammoth 25 date tour.” Their warm and inviting presence is evident as Mehrtens introduces a new song, inspired by his wife's love for horses, which makes its live debut. They also perform a cover of Haddaway’s ‘What is Love’, leaving the audience with a small piece of joy to take home as the night concludes.
By Saturday, the festival is in full swing and Bristol offers numerous options. At the newly refurbished The Croft, the Swedish group Maidavale steps on stage, matching the energy they brought while supporting the experimental seven-piece GOAT previously. Their heavy psych rock seamlessly combines gentle melodies with powerful riffs, incorporating a vocoder and synth elements. Meanwhile, from upstairs, the sounds of Guzzlers rise, with their captivating riffs quickly drawing in the audience. Heavy Lungs enters with a strong reputation, commanding the crowd's attention as lead singer Danny Nedelko captivates them with his performance. Their post-punk sound is electrifying, reflecting their close ties to IDLES, displaying unreserved intensity coupled with undeniable charisma. Their humorous delivery and lack of pretension effectively convey their message.
With the rise of brass in punk music, Opus Kink showcases why this trend works so well, seamlessly blending sounds that feel refreshing. The Brighton sextet creates a lively atmosphere, with the Attic bar at its busiest yet. Their energetic vocal style and engaging performance make it feel unique, as they request red lighting for a bass-driven song where the guitars mimic sirens, crafting soundscapes instead of relying solely on lyrics.
Despite the drizzly weather on Sunday evening, the crowd shows up enthusiastically for Down Stokes' concluding night at the beautiful Trinity Church. The Welsh duo The Bug Club, joined by Tom Rees on drums, delivers music that’s impossible not to dance to. Starting their set with some “newies,” the audience truly comes alive when they play fan favorites, with dual vocals and minimal arrangements producing a vibrant sound. Their upbeat basslines and pop-rock riffs provide a solid foundation for playful lyrics, and the band's lighthearted nature exudes an infectious fun energy.
Toronto's Wine Lips brings the weekend to a close with their punk-infused psych garage sound, which hits hard. Their choice of unique sunglasses raises the question of whether they anticipated better weather from the UK. As guitar riffs resonate through the former church, it’s impressive how tight their performance is. The event serves as a perfect opportunity to explore psychedelic music and discover new bands to fall in love with.
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Now well into its third year, it's apparent how the Bristol event has evolved into a thoughtfully curated environment for music enthusiasts.