Gabriella Old
Freelance content creative and copywriter from Cornwall. You’ll either find me on the outskirts of a mosh pit or surfing waves out back. Most likely shitting my pants in both instances.
Boardmasters 2024 kicks off with unforgettable performances boasting the eclectic line-up
With a packed lineup of shows on Wednesday and Thursday, including a VIP set from our very own CLUNK DJs, Friday’s crowds were warmed up from the off.
Naturally, the Cornish sunshine helped, breaking through last night’s mizzle to cast bright rays over the great atlantic backdrop. The afternoon bought us Boardmasters at its best. Pure, uninterrupted sunshine.
Cornish Indie rockers, The Ultra violets opened Land of Saints stage to an eager crowd, boasting local musical talent.
They were followed by Manchester indie band, Corella, who confidently entered the stage to reverberating guitar sounds and a heavy kick drum, setting the tone from the off. The crowd obeyed commands to clap along to the first song and continued for every song there after. It may have only been half one, but under the shade of the Land of Saints stage we were transported from the midday sunshine and soon the mosh pit formed. Impressive for a half one slot. Vocalist, Joel Smith expressed how he thought they should have had a later slot and we wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve jumped up the bill for next year’s festival.
We stuck around to watch shoegaze band NewDad, who bought distorted guitars, ethereal vocals and their signature glitchy visual backdrop to Land of Saints. A personal highlight was their cover of The Cure, ‘Just Like Heaven’.
A quick stop off at the main stage to catch Good Neighbours in their “first big festival of the summer”. It was the perfect vibe for an afternoon slot. With the sun shining and the whole crowd singing along to ‘Take me home’, before they finished with recent single ‘Daisies’.
CLUNK favourite, Peri Rae, graced The View stage for her Boardies debut and what a view. The blue sky and golden sands of Watergate bay perfectly complemented Peri’s coastal rock sound. She described it as a ‘dream come true to play this festival’ and it was a dream to watch her.
The highlight of the day was Soft Play. Entering the stage to the sound of the Venga Boys, before a harsh cut straight into ‘Punk’s Dead’, it set the energy levels high from the off. Crowds were soon greeted by a hyped up Isaac Holman as he jumped down from the stage to run amongst them between barriers. A theme that continued throughout the set, as we later saw him get amongst it in the mosh pit. A mosh pit that was present throughout the entirety of the set. While crowds chanted along to ‘Act Violently’, everyone in the mosh was in contrast very respectful. At one point I saw a young boy on his Dad’s shoulders enter the pit, as simultaneously a couple in cowboy hats swung arm in arm through the centre. It was the most energetic crowd of the afternoon by far.
Willie J Healey was also a joy to watch. The band jammed to extended versions of tracks as if they were rocking out in their bedroom. While much of the crowd sat down to watch, there was some serious toe tapping action happening at this tea-time groove. We heard the funky favourite ‘Thank you’, before he managed to cinch an extra couple of minutes for a solo rendition of ‘We Should Hang’ to finish.
The Courteeners got the main stage crowd jumping along to their hit ‘Not Nineteen Forever’, as flares turned the sky a smokey shade of red. Following a cover of Madness’ ‘It Must Be Love’ timed perfectly as the sun went down.
Chase & Status returned as headliners to bring the main stage to a close with an epic display of drum, bass and fire. Bass drops were heightened with glaring pyrotechnics sending the crowd into a frenzy. Amongst nostalgic classics that transported you back in time to their 2016 headliner set, we heard the just-released track ‘Backbone’. Although they didn’t bring on fellow headliner, Stormzy, there were special guest appearances including Becky Hill and Ethan Holts.
They had the crowd hypnotised by their lyrics, gun fingers were up and they sent the cliff bouncing, as they commanded crowds to jump during NRG.
If Friday was anything to go by, this is set to be an unforgettable weekend of music. Bring it on.
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