A selection box of sonic delights to send your brain all fizzy this Saturday (3rd August), as Dork’s Day Out hits London’s Signature Brew Blackhorse Road.
The Borings out there may bemoan the death of guitar music and the homogenisation of pop, but quite frankly, fuck ‘em. Our annual summer party Dork’s Day Out stands as a defiant middle finger to such dreary prognostications. A gathering of the discerning cognoscenti, now in its third year, it’s become a beacon for those seeking the thrill of discovery, the joy of the unexpected, and the sheer unbridled pleasure of watching tomorrow’s stars today. This Saturday (3rd August), Signature Brew Blackhorse Road will once again transform into a veritable Wonka factory of musical delights, where the only golden ticket required is a willingness to embrace the new, the bold, and the brilliantly bonkers. And an actual ticket, obviously.
From the raw energy of Gretel’s bill-topping bangers to the alt-pop-folk spectacular of Nell Mescal, Dork’s Day Out 2024 promises a selection box of sounds that should send your brain all fizzy. It’s a day where there are no rules, where the only constant is the endless buzz. Screw the industry plant nonsense of the perpetually dull – this is the greenhouse of the very best new acts.
So, Dear Reader, prepare to embark on a journey so exciting you’ll not even care if we’re there yet. Welcome to Dork’s Day Out 2024 – where the future of music is now, and it’s never sounded so good.
Gretel
Headlining this year’s festivities is Gretel, aka the-artist-formerly-known-as-Gretel-Hänlyn, whose rise has been as thrilling as it has deserved. With a voice that could make reading the phone book sound like a brooding masterpiece (not that she’d ever do anything so pedestrian).
Her latest single, ‘Far Out’, is a testament to her evolving artistry and ear for a bop – a track that manages to go off like little else. It’s the sound of an artist not just finding her voice but wielding it with the confidence of a seasoned pro. Expect her set to be a masterclass in mood and atmosphere, with songs that paint vivid pictures of suburban ennui and gothic romance.
Gretel’s journey from her folk-tinged indie beginnings to her current alt-pop powerhouse status has been nothing short of remarkable. With each release, she’s pushed her sound further, exploring the darker corners of pop with a fearlessness that’s both thrilling and inspiring. Gretel’s performance promises to cap off a day of musical exploration. It’s not just a headline set; it’s a coronation.
Nell Mescal
Nell Mescal arrives at Dork’s Day Out riding a wave of well-deserved hype, armed with an arsenal of songs that are both achingly personal and unnervingly universal. Her debut EP, ‘Can I Miss It For A Minute?’, released in May, is a collection of vignettes that capture the bittersweet experience of growing up and moving on with a clarity that belies her relative youth. Nell’s sets always end up being one of those “I was there” moments – the kind of performance that people will talk about years from now when she’s selling out arenas.
Her ability to craft melodies that lodge themselves in your brain while delivering lyrics that punch you in the gut is reminiscent of early Laura Marling or Phoebe Bridgers. But make no mistake, Mescal is very much her own artist. Whether she’s tackling the complexities of friendship breakups or the disorienting experience of finding oneself in a new city, her songs resonate with an authenticity that can’t be faked.
Bleach Lab
Screw constant instant gratification, Bleach Lab stand out as practitioners of a more patient, immersive form of musical storytelling. Their debut album, ‘Lost In A Rush Of Emptiness’, is a testament to the power of atmosphere and the emotional weight that can be conveyed through sound as much as words.
Their Dork’s Day Out set is likely to be a masterclass in building and releasing tension. Expect waves of shimmering guitars, hypnotic rhythms, and vocals that float above it all like wisps of smoke. But don’t be fooled by the dreamy soundscapes – underneath the haze lie songs of raw emotion and unflinching honesty, a moment of cinematic, main character reflection and depth likely to leave a lasting impression.
Phoebe Green
If there’s one artist on the Dork’s Day Out bill who embodies the spirit of artistic reinvention, it’s Phoebe Green. Her recent EP ‘Ask Me Now’ shed the constraints of expectation like a snake shedding its skin, emerging as an artist entirely in control of her narrative.
Green’s set promises to be a celebration of this newfound freedom. Expect a performance that crackles with the energy of an artist who’s not just found her voice but is revelling in the joy of using it. Her music, which deftly blends introspective lyricism with irresistible pop hooks, has a way of making even the most personal revelations feel like communal experiences. From the wry self-awareness of ‘Relevant’ to the raw vulnerability of ‘Embarrass Me’, Phoebe’s songs offer a kaleidoscopic view of modern life and love. Some of the most exciting alt-pop being made today.
Lip Filler
If Lip Filler’s recent EP ‘witchescrew’ is anything to go by, their Dork’s Day Out performance will be a glorious riot. The London-based quintet have quickly established themselves as one of the most exciting live acts on the circuit, blending the raw energy of punk with the catchy hooks of indie pop and a dash of electronic experimentation.
Their set is likely to be a rollercoaster ride through the highs and lows of urban living, delivered with a wink and a sneer. Expect angular guitar riffs that slice through the air like sharpened knives, pounding rhythms that demand movement, and vocals that veer between sardonic commentary and impassioned pleas. A sweaty, joyous celebration of what it means to be young, alive, and slightly unhinged in 2024.
Delights
Delights offer a love letter to the good ol’ days of indie brilliance, filtered through a thoroughly modern lens. Their Dork’s Day Out set promises to be a masterclass in the art of the hook. Expect sun-kissed melodies that evoke lazy summer afternoons, guitar lines that shimmer like heat haze, and choruses that demand to be sung along to. But beneath the bright exterior lie lyrics that speak to the anxieties and aspirations of a generation caught between nostalgia for a past they never experienced and an uncertain future. A celebration of the power of music to uplift, unite and provide solace in turbulent times.
Welly
If you’re looking for a band that can turn the mundane into the magical, look no further than Welly. The Southampton outfit has quickly made a name for themselves with their witty observations on suburban life and their knack for crafting infectiously catchy tunes.
Their Dork’s Day Out set promises to be filled with songs that paint vivid pictures of life in yellow brick utopia. Expect angular guitar riffs, propulsive rhythms, and lyrics that skewer the absurdities of modern Britain with surgical precision.
But what sets Welly apart is their ability to find beauty and humour in the everyday. Their songs are populated by characters you swear you’ve met before, caught in situations that are at once ridiculous and deeply relatable. From the consumerist critique of ‘Shopping’ to the nostalgic yearning of ‘Home for the Weekend’, Welly’s opening set is sure to be a highlight of the day – a perfect blend of social commentary and bonkers energy.
Mac Wetha (DJ)
Rounding out the lineup is Mac Wetha, our DJ and producer whose eclectic tastes and technical wizardry promise to keep the party going. As a core member of the NiNE8 Collective, Mac has been at the forefront of London’s genre-blending underground scene, so expect a set that defies easy categorisation. His own material has seen him teaming up with the new wave of alt-pop and indie’s best and brightest, so expect the vibes to be immaculate.
So, Dear Reader, grab your tickets, clear your schedule, and prepare for a day that will leave your ears ringing, your feet aching, and your heart full. Dork’s Day Out isn’t just a party; it’s a declaration that the future of music is bright, bold, and brilliantly bonkers. Down With Boring, and all that.
Leave a Reply