GIG REVIEW: Ladyfest London 2008
- Posted on May 13, 2008 1:54 PM
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Ladyfest 2008
May 9th -11th - The Underworld, Camden
Review by Zarina Raja
Ladyfest 2008 removed me from the blistering sunshine on Friday and into the clammy depths of The Underworld.
Tagged by our pink wrist bands, we descended into the dark, ready for three nights of female-based bands and a little Riot Grrrrl action.
Ladyfest London 2008 kicked off with a string of films at the Islington Arts Factory and some workshops on Feminism, Confronting White Privilege and a bit more feminism…(well, what did you expect?)…The Feminist Antique Roadshow to be exact.
Your Heart Breaks, Monday Club, The Bobby Mcgees, Slow Club and Kimya Dawson, all took to the stage throughout Friday night.
Standing out amongst the rest was Slow Club, a clattering girl-boy duo with sweet sounding lyrics and a great stage presence. They resembled something like a polite version of the Moldy Peaches.
Kimya Dawson of the Moldy Peaches, however, who was expected to be the highlight of the night, proved to a little less fun without her co-star, Adam green.
A good but slow start to Ladyfest sent us in to the empty Monarch bar in Camden where we carried on with the Ladyfest spirit by requesting the likes of The Knife, Peaches and M.I.A.
After a day of films and talks on Saturday, we were ready for a second night of bands.
After a gentle start on Friday, things picked up on Saturday. Although missing Drunk Granny, who have been likened to a Hole cover band, we did mange to catch Comanechi, Das Wanderlust, New Bloods, Matt and Kim and Riot Grrrl legend, Angie Reed.
Favourites from Saturday night were New Bloods, who are surprising mix of strong vocals, violins and clapping, resulting in a layered sound that cut the Underworld in half.
Matt and Kim also managed to pack an infectious set of tunes into the Underworld’s shuddering sound system with their Poppy electro sound, drenched in Matt’s thick American accent and some severe drum smacking from Kim.
Ending Saturday night was Angie Reed – an artist signed to Chicks on Speed records. She put on a thumping show of electro tracks, accompanied by some pretty random visuals and a bit of improvisation.
Sunday night – feeling like the Underworld had become our second home – caught hold of the weariness of its Ladyfester’s who remained seated for the first half of the night while Mandy Muden dabbled in some magic and Sarah Kendall made the tired audience cry with laughter.
The Actionettes kicked off the first of Sunday night’s music with a retro dance routine reflecting something of a school dance contest.
Betty and the Werewolves, a highlight of Sunday night – stormed the stage with a
crunching set of Rock/Pop melodies, smattered in a vague Kinder Whore look, initiated by Courtney Love in the 90s. Cute summer dresses and an almost innocent look, topped off by an electric guitar and the ability to jam.
The Priscillas were second to last to take the stage. With a lead singer that looked like the female Noel Fielding, The Priscilas were a dab hand at rocking out. They certainly pumped the audience up with their glam-rock vibe and set of clash/crash tracks.
The last to take to the stage were Peggy Sue and the Pirates.
The Ladyfest party then moved on to Bar Monsta.
Ladyfest saw the arrival of all different types of girls: gay girls, straight girls, feminists, vegans, musicians, artists - and a dashing of brave lads - all coming together to watch a display of fantastic bands – something that is denied in the mainstream music industry.
Ladyfest London 2008 – The Verdict.
Ladyfest 2008 was an inspiring insight into the female led arts industry.
It is a shame that it takes a festival once a year to showcase such artists, but if the Ladyfest gals have it their way, I am sure it will become a more regular thing.
A real positive aspect to Ladyfest is that the all the music takes place in one venue. There is no queuing, and no deciding where to spend the night, or which bands to miss out on.
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