Takedown Festival has had quite a meteoric rise since the Southampton based festival began in 2012. Amassing high profile bands such as Lower Than Atlantis, Funeral For A Friend, The Blackout and Skindred to name a few. However, it’s Takedown’s ability to find gems that makes the festival so special. Compiling some of the best upcoming bands and putting them on one bill is essentially Takedown’s quota. Over the years of Takedown Festival they have had bands such as Mallory Knox, Don Broco, Arcane Roots and Marmozets who have all gone on to be some of the biggest names in Rock music today. Takedown festival is a one day event which takes place in March and its the perfect early start to festival season.
Having gone in 2013 and 2014, Brad has compiled a list of bands you must see at Takedown Festival 2015:
InMe
Perhaps the coolest addition for me is… InMe. Overgrown Eden is an album which I have adored ever since my brother first gave me their CD when I was around the age of 8. It’s furiously fuelled emo-tinged anthems were a mainstay in my Walkman(Yes, it was that long ago!) and it helped shaped my musical preferences today. Having seen InMe 3 times previously, I honestly cannot wait to see one of my favourite albums played in full. With classics like ‘Underdose’, ‘Firefly’ and ‘Lava Twilight’ to be played live it’s sure to be a real spectacular occasion and anyone who isn’t too familiar with InMe prepare to be introduced to one of the most underrated bands both for their albums and stellar live performance(s).
Arcane Roots
Returning to Takedown after a year absence is Arcane Roots. At Takedown 2013 was the first time that I’d actually heard of Arcane Roots and boy am i glad that i went to see them. Their sound is a bit like putting Alt-rock, Mathcore and Post-hardcore into a massive blender with the result being a smoothie full of goodness. Often likened to bands like Biffy Clyro and Nirvana, Arcane Roots’ stock is on the rise and on the back of their debut album ‘Blood & Chemistry’ Takedown would be a great place, like I did, to get your teeth into this awesome band.
P.S: Their live set’s are always mesmerizing!
Decade
What a year 2014 was for Decade! On the back of the release of debut album ‘Good Luck’ the Bath based five-piece have toured relentlessly in nearly every corner of the UK and Europe. The highlights being their headline tour in September alongside supporting A Day To Remember and We Are The Ocean. 2015 has started just as busy as they’ve already announced a run of shows supporting The Used and have even hinted at a second album to be released in the near future. Grab a beer(or suitable beverage) and go watch some pop punk the way it should be done!
Allusondrugs
One of the main reasons why grunge definitely isn’t dead. Allusondrugs are renowned for being one of the most promising and exciting bands the UK has to offer and we don’t disagree! Using mesmerizing instrumentation fused with beautifully executed vocals, Allusondrugs are, well, awesome! Having been announced as the support act for Enter Shikari’s UK Tour in February alongside their upcoming performance at Takedown, Allusondrugs have the making to be the next band that Takedown will introduce people to before they explode in popularity.
MILK TEETH
It goes without saying that Milk Teeth are going to be HUGE. Since I first heard of them through one of my friends I immediately saw that this band had some serious potential. One of the most hard working bands in the UK scene, Milk Teeth spent 2014 touring, touring and you guessed it, more touring. Highlights included sets at Download Festival and the completion of their new EP ‘Sad Sack’ – which was released in January 2015. Their mix of grunge and punk rock creates for a true spectacle and their live performance is so good, I could not recommend seeing them any more. SO GO SEE THEM!
Moose Blood
Describing Moose Blood’s sound is something which proves pretty hard to do. Drawing influences from 90’s emo bands such as American Football, Moose Blood also combine influences from modern grunge bands like Basement to contrive their own unique sound. Their lyrics are pristine and the output they create is perfection in every meaning of the word. Similar to Milk Teeth, Moose Blood have toured a lot and seeing them at Takedown is something you’d be a fool not to do.
Other notable bands are: The Hell, Fort Hope, Zoax and every other band on the bill!
Takedown Festival takes place at Southampton University on March 7th 2015. You can buy your tickets here http://takedown.vticket.co.uk/ and there is also an after party which is always wild!