Wide Awake Festival 2023 Review
A vibrant celebration of alternative culture.
Kickstarting the quintessentially British summertime festival season with an unwavering commitment to bringing the best new music, Wide Awake Festival celebrated its third consecutive year at Brockwell Park in South London, exceeding all expectations. For the uninitiated, Wide Awake is a vibrant celebration of the independent music scenes, embracing the unconventional and the offbeat.
The festival brings together a close-knit community of music lovers, with esteemed venues like Moth Club, Shacklewell Arms, and the iconic Windmill Brixton joining forces. The camaraderie among familiar faces and renowned band members from alternative hangouts added a special touch to the event, creating lasting memories etched in our minds. To top it off, we were graced with exceptional weather, making it a perfect day for indulging in countercultural delights.
Unlike its previous two-day format, this year's Wide Awake Festival condensed the lineup into a single day, offering even more opportunities to explore diverse musical experiences. Gone were the distinct dance and punk-oriented days; instead, attendees could seamlessly transition between genres, opening up their musical horizons and discovering new sounds.
The essence of Wide Awake lies in its intimate community, where a wealth of hidden gems unfolds before your eyes. Take, for example, MADMADMAD, who emitted electrifying trances and electronica vibes as the headliner of The Windmill Stage. Despite their stylistic departure from the earlier, garage-infused post-punk assault delivered by the enchanting Warmduscher on the Moth Club Stage, the crowd gravitated toward the former, proving that location did not hinder their magnetic appeal. The earlier performance by The Bug Club, albeit tamer with influences from Velvet Underground and Holiday Ghosts, showcased crisp musicianship, distinctive vocal harmonies, and the ability to divide the crowd like the Red Sea. The question lingered: could Warmduscher match their counterparts' fervor and leave the tent intact? Well, let's just say the crowd surfers had their answer, as expletives reverberated through the air, propelled by the wild energy of Clams Baker Jr., setting a new standard for crowd control and engagement. Personally, I was captivated by the experience and had the pleasure of catching up with guitarist Adam J Harmer, expressing gratitude on behalf of attendees who couldn't resist moving to their infectious beats. The exciting news of their forthcoming album, already in the works, further heightened the star-studded performance, complemented by a memorable set from Viagra Boys that fostered an unbridled party atmosphere from the Wide Awake Stage to Moth Club. The fans were fully primed to groove along with every commanding beat and riff.
While the early part of the day may not typically elicit excitement—often marked by concerns about overpriced burgers sans chips and missing friends—this year's mid-session intervals proved exceptional. The Bug Club's rare UK appearance, the brooding Coldwave of Molchat Doma, and the obligatory viewing of Black Country New Road could have easily occupied higher spots on the lineup, enjoying greater visibility alongside the after-party extravaganza initiated by Viagra Boys and brought to a climax by Warmduscher. With a broader range of bands to choose from early on, it felt as though there was less downtime compared to last year, leaving attendees delightfully occupied throughout the lush surroundings of Brockwell Park—a picturesque setting for an all-star roster of left-field music and art. Throughout the day, an unabashed sense of excitement permeated the atmosphere, with attendees eagerly anticipating each new song, never wanting the day to come to an end.
The meticulous preparation that goes into Wide Awake Festival is well-known, evident in the striking yellow and red advertisements that adorn the city's independent venues. The mere mention of Wide Awake sparks animated conversations among friends and music enthusiasts alike, becoming a buzzword that lingers long after the festival concludes. It serves as a testament to the festival's unwavering commitment to showcasing the best in up-and-coming talent alongside established favourites.
Wide Awake Festival is truly an unparalleled and everlasting experience, uniting communities in a safe and welcoming environment. The organizers' dedication to ensuring the welfare and enjoyment of attendees has been commendable. I surely won’t be the only one who has the itch to get down and support local venues even more now, the festival season only amplifies how much they are needed. Wide Awake, you will be sorely missed, well until we see you again next year.