Festival Preview: 10 Must See Bands at Hevy Fest

It’s been a rocky road for the Kent-based festival. Having emerged in a flourishing festival since its inception in 2009, Hevy Fest seemingly reached its peak in 2012 with a stellar line-up of punk, metal and hardcore before crashing in 2013 when venue issues forced a postponement. Last years low key return suffered by sparse attendance. Nevertheless the festival is now back in full force with a line-up that is of the same caliber as previous years.

As always, Already Heard has produced an essential preview of the festival as we’ve picked out 10 bands you HAVE to see this weekend. From emo legends to hotly tipped gloom punk to glorious alt rock comebacks, Hevy Fest 2015 has a hell of a lot to offer.

Preview | Line-Up | Stage Times | Info

Preview

The Get Up Kids
The beloved emo legends aren’t very active these days, so any chance to see the Kansas City quintet is welcomed with open arms. Whilst the whole “playing a classic album in full” spiel is certainly over done these days, you’re not going to hear us complaining this time round. ‘Something To Write Home About’ has been described as a masterpiece and at Hevy Fest we’ll get to hear it played in its full glory.

Expect cuts like ‘Ten Minutes’, ‘Holiday’ and ‘Action & Action’ to be sung in unison but prepared to be overcome with raw emotion when they finish with ‘I’ll Catch You’.

Where & When: Saturday – Main Stage – 8:00 – 9:00

Blood Youth
Fresh off their impressive UK run with Trash Boat, this Lincolnshire quintet are certainly a band on the rise and Hevy Fest is merely the latest in a handful of important festival appearances. Their debut EP, ‘Inside My Head’ is a statement of intent with its melting pot of pop-rock, hardcore and hard rock. Yet it’s in a live setting where the quintet thrive.

The EP is jam-packed with “mosh ready” numbers; ‘Failure’, ‘Dead Space’ and ‘Big Smoke’ should especially be highlights when they hit the second stage on Saturday. Add a couple of harmonious hooks and you’ll be surprised that Blood Youth don’t leave a good, lasting impression. A band on the rise for sure.

Where & When: Saturday – 2nd Stage – 3:00 – 3:30

Monuments
Do these prog rockers ever stop? It doesn’t seem so as they’ve been touring almost non-stop since the release of their sophomore album, ‘The Amanuensis’ last July. With several UK tours and festival appearances already under their belt this year, the quintet arrive at Hevy with an arsenal of twisting riffs, and in Chris Barreto, a set of lungs that are mighty impressive with compelling stage presence.

Their early evening slot on the third appearance should Monuments showcase their best work; from the soaring ‘I, The Creator’ to the blistering ‘Atlas’ and with ‘I, The Destroyer’ recently being given its live debut, don’t be surprised if they close with this stunning number with it’s stuttering guitars and powerful vocals. (SR)

Where & When: Saturday – 3rd Stage – 7:00 – 7:40

Thrice
We could simply put “Thrice are back!” and that reason alone should be why you should close Hevy Fest with the Californian quartet. But we’re not like that.

Returning after three years, Thrice’s UK return is long overdue. Having become one of the most influential alt rock/post-hardcore bands in recent years, their discography is varied. From the early melodic hardcore sounds of ‘Identity Crisis’ all the way to the experimental rock stylings of ‘Major/Minor’, you can expect Dustin Kensrue and company to dig into their back catalogue this weekend. Kensrue’s vocals will be stunning, Riley and Eddie Breckenridge will produce one of the tightest rhythm sections all weekend and Teppei Teranishi will round off their performance with superb sharp riffs. (SR)

Where & When: Saturday – Main Stage – 9:30 – 10:50

Coheed and Cambria
Whilst Friday nights headliners may have left ‘The Amory Wars’ universe for their forthcoming eighth record (‘The Color Before the Sun’) that isn’t going to stop them from taking us on a trip down memory lane. The afro-haired Claudio Sanchez and his band will be playing their startling 2003 record, ‘In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3’ in full.

With its mix of complex time signatures, sharp riffs, dramatic lyrics and Sanchez’s unique voice, ‘In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3’ has a lot to offer. If you want all the above along with a plattering of super-long tech rock jams, then Coheed and Cambria will satisfy your needs. (SR)

Where & When: Friday – Main Stage – 9:30 – 10:50

Vales
It’s been three years since we met this Cornwall based hardcore crew. Since Hevy 2012, Vales have unleashed a jaw-dropping record in the form last years ‘Wilt & Rise’ and have spent the past few months playing shows throughout the UK and Europe.

If you were a witness to their set three years ago, then you’ll know all about Vales’ skill of producing choatic yet beautifulscreamo. If Chlo Edwards’ roars don’t amaze you, then her band mates stirring musicianship surely will. With the odd hint of cathartic post-rock, Vales’ brand of textured and dynamic hardcore isn’t something you want to miss. (SR)

Where & When: Saturday – 2nd Stage – 2:00 – 2:30

Creeper
What can we say about these Southampton punks that we haven’t said already? They’ve done a hell of a lot in the space of a year. From releasing their brilliant debut EP to playing with Moose Blood and Bayside to “killing it” at Download to joining up with Roadrunner Records. It’s an exciting time for Creeper and their afternoon slot on the second stage should be one small step towards bigger things.

If you’re not familiar with this gloomy lot, then where have you been? Their sound has a dark, authentic punk rock core but shines with some glorious, anthemic choruses. The AFI comparison is quickly becoming tiresome but they’re a big influence on Creeper. However they are the real deal. If you’re not on it yet, it’s time to jump on the Creeper bandwagon. (SR)

Where & When: Friday – 2nd Stage – 4:00 – 4:30

Press To Meco
This Crawley/Croydon trio have been kicking around for awhile. Their stellar riffs and duel harmonies have been doing the rounds for the best part of two years. With tours alongside F.O.E.S., Attention Thieves and ACODA and appearances at the Download Festival and UK Tech Fest on their resumé, they arrive at Hevy having completed work on their debut album.

With the soothing to snappy vocals of Luke Caley and Adam Roffey and pulsating drum work of Lewis Williams, Press To Meco’s early second stage spot should be the kickstart you need to get the weekend going. They have a knack of producing a powerful, riff-filled noise that soon draws you in. (SR)

Where & When: Friday – 2nd Stage – 2:00 – 2:30

Fightstar
The release of the first new Fightstar album in years is now tantalisingly close on the horizon, but in the meantime the band will be looking to keep the huge wave of momentum their reunion is riding rolling at Hevy . It’ll be another awesome opportunity to remind ourselves of just what we’ve been missing while they were away.

Few bands are or were able to combine the beautiful, delicate melodic side of post-hardcore with bludgeoning metal breakdowns quite as seamlessly as Charlie Simpson and his mob; and we can’t wait to reacquaint ourselves with just how excellent, versatile and criminally under-rated a live band Fightstar are at the peak of their powers. (DW)

Where & When: Friday – 2nd Stage – 8:30 – 9:30

Black Peaks
Although they’ve only got a couple of singles under their belt, Black Peaks have been gaining a ton of momentum this summer with outstanding sets up and down the country. Their combination of raw, powerful vocals, boisterous riffs and a bombastic rhythm section has seen Brighton quartet almost steal the show at 2000 Trees, Hit The Deck and Camden Rocks. So don’t be surprised if they do the same this weekend.

It’s no doubt that Black Peaks have a strong work ethic to compliment their outstanding brand of hard rock. A mid-afternoon slot on the main stage is ideal for a band that is on the up. Hevy has a number of exciting up-and-coming acts, and Black Peaks are certainly one of the most rousing picks of the bunch. (SR)

Where & When: Friday – Main Stage – 3:30 – 4:00

Line-Up

Stage Times

THURSDAY

2ND STAGE
Jamie Lenman 10:20 – 11:00
Sam Duckworth 9:40 – 10:10
Dave Mcpherson 9:00 – 9:30
Chas Palmer Williams 8:20 – 8:50
Sean McGowan 7:40 – 8:10
The Lion and the Wolf 7:10 – 7:30
The Gospel Youth 6:40 – 7:00

FRIDAY

MAIN STAGE
Coheed and Cambria 9:30 – 10:50
The Dillinger Escape Plan 8:00 – 9:00
Protest The Hero 6:40 – 7:30
Touche Amore 5:30 – 6:10
Hacktivist 4:30 – 5:00
Black Peaks 3:30 – 4:00
Chon 2:30 – 3:00
Continents 1:30 – 2:00

2ND STAGE
Fightstar 8:30 – 9:30
Ignite 7:20 – 8:00
A Wilhelm Scream 6:10 – 6:50
Teenage Bottlerocket 5:00 – 5:40
Creeper 4:00 – 4:30
Youth Man 3:00 – 3:30
Press To Meco 2:00 – 2:30
Waster 1:00 – 1:30

3RD STAGE
Stick To Your Guns 8:10 – 9:00
Betraying The Martyrs 7:00 – 7:40
Landscapes 6:00 – 6:30
Heck 5:00 – 5:30
Break Even 4:00 – 4:30
Endless Heights 3:00 – 3:30
Grader 2:00 – 2:30
Wraiths 1:00 – 1:30

SATURDAY

MAIN STAGE
Thrice 9:30 – 10:50
The Get Up Kids 8:00 – 9:00
The Fall of Troy 6:30 – 7:30
Arcane Roots 5:30 – 6:00
As It Is 4:30 – 5:00
Fort Hope 3:30 – 4:00
Milk Teeth 2:30 – 3:00
Trash Boat 1:30 – 2:00

2ND STAGE
Judge 8:30 – 9:30
Horse The Band 7:20 – 8:00
Sweet Jesus 6:10 – 6:50
Crooks 5:00 – 5:40
Broken Teeth 4:00 – 4:30
Blood Youth 3:00 – 3:30
Vales 2:00 – 2:30
Up River 1:00 – 1:30

3RD STAGE
Carnifex 8:10 – 9:00
Monuments 7:00 – 7:40
Black Tusk 6:00 – 6:30
Hang the Bastard 5:00 – 5:30
God Damn 4:00 – 4:30
Fathoms 3:00 – 3:30
Ohhms 2:00 – 2:30
The Colour Line 1:00 – 1:30

Info

Hevy Fest takes place at Port Lympne in Kent on Friday August 14th and Saturday August 15th.

Hevy Fest links: Website|Facebook|Twitter|Instagram

Words by Sean Reid (SR) and Dane Wright (DW). Main feature photo by Heather Fitsell.