poppedmusic

Words: Elena Katrina

No Play Festival -Liverpool – 5th August 2023
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Although you might not necessarily think of Popped Music as your go-to place for heavier sounds, but believe it or not there are some heavy bands who we absolutely adore and some of whom played at this year’s inaugural No Play Festival in Liverpool. So we couldn’t resist the opportunity to head down and see what was what, catch some bands we already know and love and see if we’d discover a love for anything new, even if it was just new to us.

As with many festivals this year, No Play Festival found itself in the unwanted situation of having the weather try and ruin its day – before we even left they’d already had to pull their outside stage due to adverse weather conditions – such a shame but I have it on good authority that many of the bands came along to party regardless which was great and hopefully they’ll get the opportunity to play at next year’s event – it’s not announced yet but surely it will be. Because as far as I could see this was the only thing from those looking in, that didn’t go as planned.

OK so there were a few timing issues on the main stage but time got pretty much back on track as the day progressed. I was actually glad it had gone this way as we arrived later than planned ourselves and still managed to catch at least half of the Happydaze set – think 90s American Pop Punk and we were all but ready to bounce around already. Following them were local punk legends Gen and The Degenerates. With a true punk fuck you attitude Gen’s leader told the ever-growing crowd to their line check that this was their set and they were just “avant-garde”. Crowd (and Popped) favourite “Girl God Gun” saw Gen broaden her horizons, at least in terms of what she deemed was her stage. A mid-afternoon set didn’t stop her from giving her headliner performance and one moment the stage was literally there and then it was gone – off to show that barrier who was boss. Then, much to the panic of the very serious security guard, she was off – there are no barriers or walls in the world of Gen and The Degenerates. The crowd was her stage, the two entwined vibing as one, pulsating. What a buzz. We were also treated to a live rendition of the forthcoming new single Big Hit, which frankly it needs to be. Smothered in irony but played with so much gumption that makes it super credible, not to mention that it is catchy as hell.

While we kept ourselves to the main stage (working on photo edits between bands) I could feel the ultra-heavy bands from the downstairs stage shaking the building. Sitting on a bench upstairs while they played downstairs was quite the physical experience, I can tell you. Downstairs was also host to the mosh tournament – judges of which included local heavy metal legends Loathe (who, incidentally ended up being a last-minute aftershow performer. While I may not have ventured downstairs for myself the images and videos coming out from down there were insane – how anyone managed to judge that tournament I’ll never know. It looked INSANELY good.

I’d been really keen to see Lizzy Farrell play live. The poppier of rock vibes (Antipop) mixed, on occasion, with more than a nod to dance tracks, is something that really appeals to me. “See” Lizzy Farrell though was something everyone struggled to do. I’ve no idea if it was the venue or the artist or what happened but I’ve never seen so much smoke – photography in these conditions becomes some kind of extreme sport, even for those who had top of their game kit. Back out into the crowd though it wasn’t much better as the game of “is she there, isn’t she there” continues as Lizzy bobbed in and out of pockets of smoke and lights. It was a bit distracting but the sound was fabulous. I’m just struggling to piece together the overall performance. Opening the set with the catchy-as-hell “Games” – a nice lyrical nod to Liverpool in this one so it made sense as an opening track. She also took the opportunity to play brand new and uber dance-heavy track “Room 42“, which was released mere weeks ahead of No Play. The takeaway from this set is when it comes to smoke, less is maybe more and Lizzy Farell sounds so good live I’m already looking where to see her next.

It’s not gone unnoticed that so many bands on this No Play main stage at Liverpool’s Invisible Wind Factory have either just released brand new material or are about to. this is such a win-win for both the festival and the artists and if it’s all been accidental I’d say it’s a happy one. Just like my viewing encounter of Higher Power. I’d blocked some time out for edits/sustenance but decided not to take as long a break as planned. I was so glad I didn’t, this was a cracking live set and one that I really enjoyed, especially given I didn’t know a single song. Aside from a great set, what struck me the most was how humble the lead singer was at the end of the set, ok so he may (or may not!) have been somewhat under the influence perhaps, but a happier front person I did not see all day.

I have never seen Vukovi live before. What absolute fucking nonsense is this. Me, I mean, not them. I am now obsessed. Take me to every Vukovi gig going let me shoot too because what an absolute treat that was. Because this was not a headline slot (you wouldn’t have thought it! there was simply not enough time for a set that could have pleased me enough – just a run-through of every album and latest single would have been my request. I just wanted MORE. I think they would have given it too had the time slot not been up and over in a flash. The crowd were THERE for them too, so many fans in their Vukovi tees and a queue at the merch stall. There is quite a shift in sound from their earlier sounds on their debut album to their 2022 release, “Nula“, so there wasn’t much from that in the set but to end on “La Di Da” has made me lose my voice, and what a way to lose it. Although “Lasso” also went a good way for me to do that too. Fast, furious and undeniably sexy – this is some of the best rock music I’ve ever witnessed, ever felt even (did I forget to mention that this festival literally made my teeth rattle?).

Yonaka, our No Play headliners, on the other hand, I have seen play live loads (but can never get enough). It’s been a while since I saw them, late 2019 to be precise. I know this because between Fen 2020 and July 2023 I saw about 3 bands (let’s not go there) so as soon as this act was booked, I knew about it before it was even announced (I do have ears to the ground even if they don’t belong to me!). I don’t think Yonaka could ever disappoint, and true to form they did not. I was as excited to hear live a whole bunch of tracks released since 2019, including, of course, “Seize The Power” but also “Clique” – two tracks that are so “my jam”. I recently got married and someone advised me to walk down the aisle to something that was “my jam” – I sent these to my now husband, who just laughed. (I still went with Yonaka though – “Anthem” has perfect walking down the aisle and make everyone cry vibes FYI). There was a softer, slower moment delivered by Yonaka during this set – I can’t believe they half asked the crowd permission to play it, but I’ll never forget that I got to witness their first live rendition of “Give Me My Halo” – stripped back to just vocals and acoustic guitar it really resonated, a lump in my throat kind of a moment.

Honest to her crowds and fans, Theresa has always used music to express her trials and tribulations and explains the meanings of a newer track “Welcome To My House” as being in those states of anxiety and fear and then pinging them off again, presumably with a heavy boot out of a window “oh and if you think that I’m gonna fall off. You ain’t wrong, you ain’t wrong, you ain’t wrong. But just remember I always get up. Won’t be long” – POW!… in comes the chorus… super powerful and so relatable that it’s almost uncomfortable – ever felt seen and been seen at the same time. Yeah, that.

Yonaka felt like an exciting and great fit first headliner for No Play Festival, not the first time I’ve been glued to the barrier for them, nor the last. Not long off stage either did they pop themselves down to the barrier to talk to people. Now that’s not something you see your average festival headliner do and I have to say, I like it, I like it – no, more than that. I love it. It felt super representative of this festival; friendly, a bit off its head and thrilling.