Now in its second year of existence, the tiny Square Festival in Borth is proving to be a mini Mecca to those who crave quality music amid an intimate atmosphere. Unfortunately the organisers have been unable to deliver the first part of the bargain and have alas served up a thoroughly unappetising selection of thin indie gruel.
However, help is at hand for those who crave stronger meats from two superb British bands both residing well off the popular music track. Up first are the explosive 65daysofstatic who blow all memories of the previous bands’ plodding dirge out of the water with their soaring fusion of post rock soundscape and industrial-dance assault lapped up by the small yet enthusiastic crowd. Most other instrumental acts worth their salt would struggle to hold a drunken festival audience’s attention longer than the flight of the average piss bottle but the sheer quality on display keeps the air clear and the applause prolonged, especially for frontman Paul Wolinski’s guitar-on-teeth balancing act.
Skindred have been pounding the festival beat for what seems like forever and they thoroughly deserve their headlining slot tonight. As expected, they’re on fire from the off, their ragga metal juggernaut taking half a song to whip the largely unfamiliar crowd into a frenzy of bouncing activity. Benji Webbe soon announces that the audience are ‘second to none’, a statement as old as the hills surrounding the site, but when songs such as Rat Race and a ferocious Pressure are executed so flawlessly, any rolling eyes quickly return to the stage. But just as the party gets going, the set is abruptly cut short due to time restrictions, leaving just enough time for the mighty Nobody to end things on a high and make the sudden downpour almost bearable.
