What Happened at Lume Festival 2023

With an impressive lineup and some amazing venues, I went to the inaugural Lume festival in April to see what it was like.

The first festival I went to in 2023 took place back in April in Camden which saw the birth of a brand-new festival for the alternative scene taking place across three different venues. This was Lume Festival which took place on the 15th of April at The Underworld, The Black Heart and The Camden Eye—three of the finest venues in Camden and a 2-minute walk away from each other. I was very interested to see how a festival could take place in three different venues and how that would work out logistically. Then there was the lineup, made up of some of the most exciting talent in the alternative scene with Dream State headlining the main stage at Underworld. Overall, I was quite excited about the whole thing and was looking forward to seeing how this festival would do on its first outing.

I arrived in Camden in the afternoon to collect my wristband for the festival which was no problem. I showed my ticket on the DICE app to the Underworld staff, and they gave me a wristband in return which gave me access to all three venues. I already felt like I was at home with many fans chatting outside with members of Delaire The Lair. I went on my own which I've never done at a festival, but everyone was friendly and nice to chat to which instantly put me at ease. What also impressed me was the festival's work at making the event as diverse as possible. Lume Festival stated on its social that "over 50% of our lineup and festival crew is women, LGBTQ+ and POC". This is what other festivals have goals for in the next 5 years, but Lume Festival have smashed it on their first go which for me goes to show that we can create a lineup and a festival which means anyone from any background can have a chance of playing and also create a safe space where everyone is welcome to join in. Only 13% of UK festivals had a female headliner so it goes to show that Lume festival are committed to being "part of a positive change in UK live music". There were also many places to grab food and drink around Camden with my local businesses offering deals to Lume Fest attendees. Overall, my first impression where very good. A well-organised event which strives to do things differently and be inclusive.

As for the music, the day was made up of some amazing artists across all of the stages. I started my day at The Underworld with Snake Eyes. I didn't know too much about them beforehand, but I thought I'd check them out and start my day going into the unknown. They were a fun start to my day, with their noise rock style which is similar to bands such as Sick Joy. Songs such as 'scuttlebug' can get you headbanging and singing along. I can see this band going to bigger places in the future. The band also congratulated the festival for having 50% of the lineup and crew be women POC or LGBTQ+ and stressed the importance of this which I couldn't agree more.

I went over to the Black Heart next to check an artist who I thought was on far too early and deserved to be higher up on the lineup. Lizzy Farrall was someone I discovered while in lockdown and this would be my first time seeing them live and I have to say I was very impressed. Played off technical difficulties like a pro, an amazing presence on stage and having the song to back that all up made Lizzy set one to remember. Songs such as 'Addict' and 'Yellow Paint' were great to hear live finally and the look into the future with the new single 'Room 42' was also very cool. Lizzy Farrell could be the next alternative pop/rock star in the making and I can't wait to see them support As December Falls later this year.

I went back to The Underworld to see another act which I was very interested in seeing a band I discovered when they got announced for 2000 Trees Festival. Delaire The Liar has something about them that I simply love. Excellent storytelling, great vocals and energetic music make them a band a cut above the rest. They have been away for a little while after guitarist and vocalist Ffin Colley had been diagnosed with Diabetes. As a diabetic myself, I can understand it takes time to get used to everything but it's great to see Ffin back where they belong, and he came back with a bang. He would be hurtling himself around the stage with a high kick here and there. By far one of the most energetic bands of the day. The band have two fantastic vocalists Ffin and bassist Em Lodge whose vocals can offer different sides to this band which keep their live set interesting. Their shared duties on 'FURNACE' are a great demonstration of what they can do as individuals and as a band and it looks and sounds incredible in The Underworld. 'NO ACCIDENT' did slow things down but still showed the band at their very best. This set was a blink, and you will miss it show which was filled with so much energy and emotion. One of the best of the day.

Once again, I headed back to the Black Heart for another group. Led By Lanterns were next up and they were a band that I saw support As December Falls last year. The band had some of the light set up which many other bands did not have on the stage which certainly made their set stand out, but the band could get the crowd bouncing to every song. Their mix of bouncy, heavy and catchy rifts mixed with poppy lyrics and a hint of screams makes them similar in style to the likes of Don Broco and Glass Hearts. This works For Led By Lanterns as they had the crowd up off their feet for most of the set and their frontperson Shuan Hill vocals brought that modern alternative rock feel to the band's set. Another short but high-energy set from a band that has the potential to be massive in the scene someday.

After a quick drink at The Worlds End, I made my way to the Camden Eye to check out the headliner of the intimate stage. I went over to see Tether who were the headliners of this stage. While I did not know much about the band, I had heard a lot about them from the likes of Radio 1 DJ Alyx Holcombe who I got to meet before the show. She was also in attendance for a packed crowd. Tether are a Post- Hardcore band that can certainly pack a punch on stage. Songs such as 'The Deciders' have so much energy about them and can be songs which can get everyone off their feet even in the smallest venues such as the Camden Eye. It was impressive to see such a packed-out crowd on the smallest of stages and to see the band play a headline set to remember. watch out for this band in the future. I'm sure this won't be the last stage they will headline.

After a loud and energetic set from Tether, I crossed the road back to The Underworld to check out another band that many people have been praising on this lineup. Lake Malice may have only been a band for just over two years, but the band have got people talking with their mix of heavy music and dance beats. Things didn't get off to the best for the band with technical issues pushing back the show by 10 minutes, but the band wasted no time once they were finally ready to go on stage. 'Magic Square' was the first song to kick things off and set the tone for their set. It was a frantic, energetic and enjoyable set which saw lead singer Alice Guala take total control of The Underworld with their incredible vocal range which consists of beautiful soring choruses in songs like 'Bloodbath' to the heavy growls and screams near the end of the track. A small group of Lake Malice fans also opened the mosh pits which only added to the chaotic feel of their set but was a lot of fun. It was my first time seeing this band and trust me, it won't be my last. The band put on one hell of a show to get us warmed up for the headliners.

Before all of that, I made one more trip to The Black Heart for their headline act. The venue would be headlined by Graphic Nature who were destroying the second stage at Lume Fest. The band have a heavy sound which calls back to the heyday of nu-metal and incorporates other elements such as trap beats and electric sounds which creates a raucous sound loud enough to make you find some earplugs to make sure you can hear something after the show. This band's set was one of the moshers who had been waiting all day to open the pits up to some heavy rifts and Graphic Nature did not disappoint. Their frontperson, Harvey Freeman towers over the crowd and even his bandmates and delivers probably some of the best screams and growls of the day and even tries to get the crowd to try out "some 2009 Slipknot shit" by getting the crowd to get down on the ground and "Jumpdafuckup" which just felt like a Slipknot show. He also takes some time to talk about his mental health and how music helps with some of the difficulties that he has faced, showing that the band have no shame in opening up to their fans. I had to leave early to grab our main stage, headliners but Graphic Nature have so much potential. It will be interesting to see what they do going forward.

So, at last, it was time to get back to The Underworld to see the band that I bought the tickets for in the first place. It's fair to say Dream State have been on a rollercoaster these last few years. It's a story I'd love to write about in more detail someday but to keep it short. the band had recently reformed with some new members and had started making music once again and this was the first festival that they had headlined since their return, so you could imagine my excitement to see them since their comeback last year.

The band played a mix of tracks from their first album as well as the tracks of their latest EP which was well-received by the fans in attendance. The new members of the band also left their mark on the older songs which as a long-time fan, was fascinating to see. New lead singer Jessie Powell brought a more guttural vocal style to songs such as 'Open Windows' and 'White Lies' as well as bringing the emotions to the song through her vocal performance. Meanwhile, Glass Heart and new bassist Jake Bowen stepped up to the plate to do backing vocals which sounded fantastic and gelled well with Jessie's voice. It seems the new set-up of the band was working a treat. There were some moments when it felt like the band where still working out what worked for them but overall, the band seemed to enjoy their set. Hardly any nerves were on show which ultimately led to everyone in the audience having a good time.

Jessie claims that this version of Dream State is here to stay, and I hope that is the case because this band only feels like they were scratching the surface with this set and I hope this is just the start for the band reaching the potential that they showed before the pandemic.

So, my first time at Lume Fest was a roaring success. I had a great time meeting some fellow music fans as well as checking out some new bands. This festival has done a fantastic job in having a diverse lineup as well as building a welcoming community in such a short time. The only complaint I have is that is that all the venues do not have step-free access which could make it difficult for any disabled festival goers but I'm sure as this festival grows, this will be addressed in future additions. Lume Festival announced its return for 2024 and I'm interested to see who they have playing next year. If you are looking for a festival that makes you feel welcomed and promotes new exciting talents, then you should really check this one out.