CroCro Land is now pretty much a favourite of the festival circuit, so much so that ‘CroCroing’ is now a verb, or at least should be. From the inaugural one in 2019, the 2024 version and this year’s extravaganza, it has hosted legendary favourites like Nova Twins and The Subways. Its two stages are set in the picturesque Stanley Arts venue in South Norwood.
This year’s line-up was once again red-hot, and this LOUD WOMAN certainly will not need any gym sessions for a few months, after running up and downstairs the whole day to catch all the bands (ah, if teleportation was a reality, my body would thank me!)
A wonderful, inclusive mixture of up-and-coming acts (one playing their first festival!) and indie-music scene stalwarts, adults and kids, binary and non-binary, from every walk of life, hosted by Radio X’s John Kennedy, with DJing from Mari ‘Get in Her Ears’. LOUD WOMEN had lots of representation, both on and offstage.
Essex-based Beth Robb kicked off the show on the Concrete Playground Stage. Combining electronic pop & indie dance, Beth set the tone with heartfelt songs such as latest single ‘Let You Down’ and ‘Filthy’. Incidentally, she was the first of a few performers to wear tiaras, which added to the celebratory atmosphere.
Tall Poppies, led by Perth twins Susan and Catherine, opened the Town Square Stage. The alt-pop foursome joined by Diarmuid on violin and Doug on drums, entertained the crowd with their indie, disco, alt vibes and soulful harmonies which had definite nods to Kate Bush and David Bowie.
Kat Five’s (aka Feral Five) solo set was next up and cemented her role as a pioneer in electronic rock. Combining infectious beats, Kat’s powerful vocals and melodic guitars, the vibrant set included a cover of ‘Teardrop’, her latest single ‘Switch’ and a festival fitting finale of ‘Forest’, which included a beautiful green woodland fairy casting her spells on the audience, whilst Kat beat the silver branches, a visual and aural feast. Catch her next at LOUD WOMEN‘s June gig.
Birmingham alternative indie-rock two-piece Phwoar rocked the crowd with their high-energy, no-holds-barred sound. It was the start of frequent audience and band interaction in the mosh pit, with the singer Paul launching himself into the audience! Standout songs included, ‘Try Hard’ and ‘Surge’ from their up-and-coming EP.
London based five-piece, The Outers were next up with their indie-rock/post punk styling melded with danceable grooves. Vocal powerhouse and frontwoman Ade, tore up the stage and led the band through their fiery set, which was a mixture of fuzzed-out guitars, dreamy melodies, and high-energy hooks. Highlights included recent single ‘Time For Tears’ and ‘London Wall’.
Next up, Bristol’s finest Grandmas House, brought their brand of raw, high-energy punk chaos to the Town and Country Stage. With their signature growling vocals, pounding drums, and relentless riffs to they enthralled the audience with their fiery songs including ‘Body’ and ‘Slaughterhouse’ from up-and-coming EP, ‘Anything for You’.
LOUD WOMEN faves and CroCro regulars I, Doris were up next. Their brand of kitchen-punk mummycore made for a total riot onstage, including hooktastic highlights, ‘Just Some Doris’, ‘HRT’ and ‘Do it Myself‘. The onstage banter and audience interaction was on fire and the reworked cover of Squeeze’s ‘Up the Junction’, from the woman’s perspective ‘The Girl from Clapham’ in my opinion is even better than the original.
CroCro repeat offenders, BERRIES were up next. The London based LOUD WOMEN Fest alumni, rocked up the stage with their incendiary brand of jagged indie-rock. Highlights included ‘Jagged Routine’ and ‘Narrow Tracks’ from their latest eponymous album. The crowd lapped up the fiery guitars and thumping rhythm section, combined with messages of hope.
Recent newcomers to the scene, Hot Wife informed us that it was their first ever festival and proceeded to make themselves at home with their mixture of pulverising riffs and hooky pop dynamics. The South London four-piece had cheeky stage presence, which included a pretty funny Dad joke! Musical highlights included ‘buffy summers’ and ‘Queen’.
Follow Hot Wife on hotwifemusic.com | Instagram |
Holloway four-piece The Priscillas brought back the spirit of rock n roll during their set. The 80’s influenced long-time rockers, had a set full of anthemic glam-punk songs, including their last single ‘Angela’, which had the added bite of social commentary around the ‘Ask for Angela’ campaign.
Follow The Priscillas on thepriscillas.co.uk | Instagram | bandcamp | YouTube
Three-piece alternative rock band Mythora from South Wales, was next up with their genre-bending music, explosive riffs and haunting melodies. Known for their raw, high-energy performances, they ripped up the stage with their latest single ‘I Didn’t Know’, as well as other highlights such as ‘I Feel Alive’ and ‘Elevate’.
Up next were the mighty Bugeye, the hometown favourites and LOUD WOMEN Fest alumni. The fiery five-piece brought their unique brand of disco punk heaven, blending sharp hooks, fiery riffs, and synth-laced grooves. Old crowd favourites such as ‘Don’t Stop’ and ‘Is This Love’ blended seamlessly with newer material such as ‘Comfortably Numb’. Currently recording their second album, I can’t wait to hear what they have in store. Their set ended with the addition of a couple of special guests, all I can say is that the future looks very bright!
On a personal note, I was also amazed at lead vocalist and guitarist Angela’s energy, especially as she was also co-organising CroCroland (along with Julia Woollams from the Croydonist).
A Void, the three-piece alt/grunge band formed in Paris and exiled in London, were the next band onstage. Their music was a mix of feral riffs, grunge-soaked energy, and raw, unfiltered mayhem. Their set consisted of some songs from their previous two albums, ‘Dissociation’ and ‘Awkward and Devastated’, as well as newer numbers such ‘The Gutter’.
Bridget. was the next LOUD WOMEN Fest alumni onstage. In fact it was her performance at last year’s fest that prompted the organisers to get her on board for CroCroland! Her ferocious energy and vocals combined with punchy guitar riffs and driving drums, ensured that she brought the attitude to festival. Musical highlights included ‘Throw me in the Pit’ (which of course got the moshpit moshing!) and latest release ‘Hairspray’, which brought our shades of Amyl and the Sniffers and Hole.
Indie darlings and South London‘s own Goat Girl were the penultimate act of the night. The current four-piece, brought their genre blending brand of noise rock and folky experimentation with touches of synth pop. Highlights from their set included songs from their last album ‘Below the Waste’, which hosts a musical and lyrical palate encouraging the listener to imagine a world where collectivism and community is celebrated. Songs such as ‘words fell out’, intertwined with older songs such as ‘Sad Cowboy’and newer song ‘gossip’.
Follow Goat Girl on goatgirl.co.uk | Instagram | YouTube
Festival favourite Billy Nomates ( also known as Tor Maries) strolled onto stage with her ‘No to Disability Cuts’ t-shirt on and commanded the audience for the rest of her set. The Bristol based artist ended Saturday with her stripped-back post-punk beats, sharp-witted lyrics, and pure attitude. Musical highlights such as ‘blue bones (deathwish)‘, ‘No’ and latest single ‘The Test’, were accentuated with her high-powered energetic pirouettes and whirlpools, which made for a spellbinding show. The effect is similar to how David Byrne dance moves accentuate his performances. The connection between audience artist where each feed off each other’s energy was amazing to behold.
Follow Billy Nomates on Instagram | YouTube | bandcamp | musicglue
Finally, it was time to go home. Yes, I was exhausted but incredibly happy. Apart from the cutting edge music that is firing up the UK’s underground scene in a wonderfully punk ethos. CroCroland is a festival of fun and camaraderie. Everyone supports each other, the audience as always rooting for the artists and vice versa and the whole atmosphere is one of genuine love.
Can’t wait for CroCroland IV.
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