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London Freeze returned to Battersea Power Station on Friday for another 3-day event that saw up to 15,000 fans enjoy an international snowboarding and freeski event. The 32m high ski jump and 500 tonnes of snow drew gasps from the crowd as an array of competitors competed against one another for individual prizes. Gigiwse, however, was there for the tunes.
The two arenas couldn’t have contrasted more in terms of size and stature. The Relentless Live Stage was small, housing approximately 200 which peaked for headline ska band The King Blues. Introducing ‘I Got Love’ by denouncing the BNP and the most hated man in Britain Nick Griffin, their style combines street politics with a huge smile, resulting in pure entertainment.
The Main Stage however was much more befitting to a festival atmosphere. Housing 1000s and with a comparatively crystal clear system, huge spotlights lit up the crowd and headliners Pendulum and later Orbital smashed the shit out of the speakers much to the delight of the winter sports enthusiasts in attendance.
The Aussie drum and bass act left their instruments at home for a DJ set that saw MC Jakes take to the mic. The pair were relentless for an hour as they combined their proclaimed buzzing basslines and synthesised leads. Jakes dictated to the crowd with chants of “oi oi oi’’ and “yeah yeah yeah’’ which surprisingly fired up the crowd, saving Slam for a final smash and grab.
Master Shortie’s appearance over on Relentless went down well with the kids. About 30 U16’s had packed to the front to hear toss such as ‘Dance Like A White Boy.’ Lyrics such as ‘Big Fish Little Fish, Cardboard Box’ was too much for Gigwise who wandered over to the Apres Ski Bar without looking back.
Orbital followed Pendulum’s lead starting big and staying big, more suited to a later set time the brothers from Seven Oaks remained undeterred. Miles ahead of Pendulum – using layered build ups instead of cut and paste – their enthusiasm was infectious and their return this summer to the live arena a stark reminder to the pretenders who have tried and failed to replace during the 5 years since their retirement.
Earlier in the evening Sound of Guns had played to a disappointingly small crowd but this didn’t deter them for what was the performance of the night. More established bands may have gone through the motions but the Scouse 5-piece were on form la. A 7-track set included new EP lead track Elementary of Youth, B-side Lightspeed and debut single Architects. Combining the raw energy of a band starting out with Andrew Metcalfe’s Robert Harvey-esque (The Music) vocals. Anthemic power chords over jangly guitars with a remorseless drumming was a welcome combination, definitely a band to keep an eye on!
