LIVE REVIEW: CROOKED WAYS FESTIVAL – A PHOTO ESSAY

LIVE REVIEW: CROOKED WAY FESTIVAL, PONTEFRACT PARK, SAT 1st JUNE by ROSEANNA HANSON

Whilst Jason was away having fun at the Punk Pub Crawl in Elsecar, I volunteered to get a backstage spot at Crooked Ways Festival at Pontefract Park to see what it was all about. To say that the festival is only in its second year, they have done well in getting some big names on the bill, including The Enemy, The Pigeon Detectives, Grandmaster Flash, Peter Hook & The Light, Yashin and my personal favourites of the day, The Defiled. However, there was a fantastic selection of impressive local talents too. This was my first time at the festival, and it has definitely left a good impression. I’m looking forward to see who will be playing next year, regardless of if I actually know who any of them are, as I think the organisers did a great job in selecting the acts and it’s always good to go and experience something new. I discovered some bands that I would love to see live again after seeing them at Crooked Ways.

Unfortunately I had a few technical difficulties towards the evening and my camera died on me before the main acts. I would have liked to grab a few shots of Yashin as the headliners of “The Institution” tent, but you will have to take my word for it that they completely rocked the stage. (Hopefully I’ve made up for it with probably far too many photos of The Defiled.)
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the ones I did get and if you like what you see visit my website www.roseannahanson.com or Facebook page www.facebook.com/roseannahansonphotography and of course do check out Crooked Ways Festival’s site too, www.crookedways.co.uk.

And don’t forget, if you are new to Alternative Barnsley, you can keep up to date with all local music and arts news by following our facebook page www.facebook.com/alternativebarnsley

Sega Megadrive Band providing nerdy nostalgia covering tunes from old Sega Megadrive games such as Sonic the Hedgehog.

The opening act for “The Institution” stage, quality post-hardcore from Road To Horizon.

Lively indie rock from Doncaster, The Absolute.

Doncaster’s The Absolute backstage.

The Darlingtons looking and sounding sharp on the main stage.

Kill The Silence from Leeds playing a lively set.

The Colliers on the main stage.

Allusondrugs with chunky guitars, psychedelic effects and a great stage presence instantly became a new favourite.

After the set with the friendly bunch Allusondrugs, aren’t they adorable?

The charismatic front man of Jack’s Attic.

Punk rock from Pontefract, Above Them.

Punk rock from Pontefract, Above Them.

Big hair and big sounds from Glass Caves.

A bubble-blowing bumble bee roaming the park handing out free lollipops and cakes!

Four coppers get a sky-high view of the festival.

Four coppers get a sky-high view of the festival.

Beautiful vocals and great vintage style from Becy Howley.

Backstage with Glass Caves.

Cry Baby Cry after their set at the “Supporting the Son” stage. Friendly bunch with a great sound.

Energetic and uplifting electronic from Fenech Soler on the main stage. A bit too poppy for my taste, but I can see these guys getting big.

Energetic and uplifting electronic from Fenech Soler on the main stage. A bit too poppy for my taste, but I can see these guys getting big.

“The Institution” tent fills up as the crowd waits for The Defiled to play.

Notoriously rowdy bunch The Defiled, screaming, thrashing and trashing the stage, I knew this band would be a great photo opportunity.

Notoriously rowdy bunch The Defiled, screaming, thrashing and trashing the stage, I knew this band would be a great photo opportunity.

The keyboardist kept throwing his gear all over the place, and pouring Jagermeister all over himself – I think he was at least aiming for his mouth?

Notoriously rowdy bunch The Defiled, screaming, thrashing and trashing the stage, I knew this band would be a great photo opportunity.

More Jagermeister antics with The Defiled backstage. When asked as to how he can possibly consume so much, he claimed that he has a “sort of immunity” to the drink.

I asked the boys if I could get a group photo, but they weren’t quite ready…

I finally got my group shot of The Defiled, it was great getting to meet them all!

Mike Skinner from The Streets and Rob Harvey from The Music’s new project The D.O.T. As a fan of both bands already I was intrigued to hear their collaborative efforts, definitely worth a listen.

The legend himself Grandmaster Flash delivered a fun and varied DJ set of tunes from the 1980’s onwards that got the whole crowd dancing and cheering.

The legend himself Grandmaster Flash delivered a fun and varied DJ set of tunes from the 1980’s onwards that got the whole crowd dancing and cheering.

The crowd singing along to Grandmaster Flash

Local hardcore heroes Rolo Tomassi performing a highly energetic set. Vocalist Eva Spence was mesmerising to watch as she danced and thrashed around to the music.

Local hardcore heroes Rolo Tomassi performing a highly energetic set. Vocalist Eva Spence was mesmerising to watch as she danced and thrashed around to the music.

The vocalist of Middleman taking a leap of faith into the crowd. These guys have a great unique sound mixing rock and rap, and really know how to get the audience involved.

Barnsley’s own pop punk Undafret on the “Crooked Ways Presents” stage

The only half-decent shot I managed to get of Mallory Knox before my camera packed in. I’ve seen these guys live before and they always put on a good show, its nice to see them getting more recognition.

Overall I had a great day and would recommend going next year, tickets are a reasonable price for the amount of bands you get to see and even if you’re not sure who a lot of them are just give it a go, you’ll probably discover something you like!

*If you would like to use any of Roseanna’s photos, please contact her for permission via http://www.roseannahanson.com