Review: Offset @ Hainault Forest, London

Date: 4th September 2010 

Reviewed by: Kelly Murray 

Wandering into the grounds of Offset is like gatecrashing a kid's birthday party; there's a bouncy slide, fairground rides, numerous ice-cream vans, a candy shop in a caravan and a chocolate pancake stall all within a 20 second walk of each other. It is small, but it's well thought out. None of our 'to see' list are clashing like noisy neighbours and we have as much freedom to dance to techno as we do to skank to reggae. Our mind though, wonders over to the loudest, most visually stimulating and down-right awesome musicians we can find.  

Castrovalva got up at an ungodly hour this morning in order to make their gig on time. Luckily, they're here and smashing open the day's party atmosphere with some fun-drenched grime-rock exploding all over the last rays of summer sunshine like an aggressive Red Bull. They tell us repeatedly that they're happy to be here, even taking snap shots on a disposable camera from the stage. Not only do they create a fairly different sound to their peers (see Pump Pump), but their gigs are filled with endless, rap humour. Can you keep up with the thug life? 

At the hardcore stage, Lavotchkin show us why they're probably the best thing to come out of Newcastle, possibly ever. The Geordie quintet offer nothing less than a thrill ride in metal-come-noise and allow no questions as to why they're becoming one of the most talked about underground British bands this year. Lovely to see them on the bill! Less lovely is the man running across the stage in just a Mexican wrestling mask and his undies.  

The Holy State boys tear some sleaze riffs and grunge kicks up whilst Throats continue to be quite amazing at everything they do. If you want to discover some raw yet painful (we didn't bring ear plugs!) UK talent for the heavy end of your iPod, check out Throats causing mayhem in a town near you and get downloading. London gloom warblers Invasion are on top form today; there's even the occasional smile present on the face of their cloaked singer. Though we've only caught their sets in tiny venues before today, Invasion fit graciously on the main stage, filling it with all the eerie presence and visual debates (topless female drummer we'll have you know) you could wish for. Manc kids on the block, Egyptian Hip Hop, are living it up southern style today and blending northern swagger with what seems to be a quintessential need for (lack of?) dress sense.  A rather tipsy (ok, wasted) looking Kate Nash is wandering around the backstage area in a tiny dress and new, sharp bob before her side project, The Receeders, perform. The band consist of two further members, with some double vocals being shot around a screechy, punked up riot girl vibe. It sounds almost believable in places, but ultimately, it's Nash who makes this angsty outfit seem a little too fashionable to be real. With a steady stream of plasticity, we get the impression she'll always prefer her solo ramblings about roast dinners to surfing crowds with any genuine inner discomfort.  

Elsewhere, and fresh from Leeds fest, Chickenhawk are pumped up and ready to scream for your pleasure. 'Nasa Vs Esa' sounds particularly lung-scratching today. Watch out for the new album about to drop soon.  Brighton's Dead Swans muster up some destructive stage antics during 30 minutes of brutal tunage and Bo Ningen get off on some spaced out psychedelic endeavours.

Trash Talk meanwhile, make demands for their show to go off with a 'banger' as it's their last UK date for a while. Demands are met, teeth are loosened and everyone has a good time. Even the security guards want a tee-shirt! Next up, Indie kings Mystery Jets draw a healthy turn out for their Offset appearance. Dressed as Shoreditch-ready as ever, the London swooners whip out some dancefloor dealings with 'Two Doors Down' and 'Young Love'. And finally, or sadly shall we say, after numerous ice creams, ciders and genuine audio treats, Rolo Tomassi step forth to bring the day's music to an end. Presenting temper tantrum brilliance yet again, singer Eva Spence shakes every drop of blood around her body at the speed of a possessed toddler to love song 'Kasia'. Pity the sound is cut short, but none the less, RT provide an excitable charm with which to end an day of epic music in a truly snug location.

Offset supplies an impressive festival season finale.  

Photo by: Jade Dannielle Martin