W:Rachel June. I: Zoë Harmony.
Boomtown was just as crazy, colourful and captivating as ever. If there’s ever a time to be sober, it’s at Boomtown! Contrary to popular belief, the festival itself is the only drug you’ll ever need.
Creativity bursts from every corner thanks to the incredible team that brings it to life. Boomtown is an adult playground one can get lost in. This year, ASBO set its sights on a selection of artists spanning genres - all with unique sounds and bold images.
Old Town moved to the top of a hill this year, which meant burning glutes as you climbed up. Inside, iconic venues came alive with immersive experiences at every turn. If you made it to The Bench at 7pm on Thursday you would have seen car races, games and retro video gaming explode thanks to GoGoGaming.
The iconic venue Shamrock featured brilliantly bizarre musicians - and Madame Claude caught our eye the most. Audiences danced arm in arm, laughed and watched with joy as the band delivered their cosmic mix of pop, ska, psych, punk and indie folk.
Lady Leshurr
Sasha Gigi
BEX
Old Town also gave us the most theatrical metal set of the weekend: Battlesnake. They set Fool’s Leaps ablaze (literally) whilst playing some of the heaviest metal you’ve ever heard. Crowd surfing, moshing and horned, robed metal-heads kept delivering banger after banger. The audience left exhausted and buzzing with energy. Battlesnake were a true highlight for us.
Battlesnake
At the top of Old Town, a wonderland awaited that some described as a second festival in itself. Entering into the new Anara Forest was a magical experience. On the way in you pass cosy fires, acrobats and musicians singing from the hilltops. It’s the perfect spot for a deep conversation or a breather from the madness. Explore further and you’ll find the most epic raves including DJ Interplanetary Criminal’s blinder of a set. He had the forest in the palm of his hand, his dance-garage-inspired beats set the place alight!
Keep walking and you’ll stumble upon Tribe of Frog, where anything feels possible. Crawl in a caterpillar and be transformed into a butterfly like the ones floating overhead! Neon lights glow, techno trance fills the air, whilst glowing dancers vibe barefoot in the sand. It’s like stepping into a dream world.
ASBO spent a full day at Hangar 161, an iconic venue showcasing rising rock and metal bands. Mosh pits erupted and powerful vocals soared through the tent. Located in ASBO’s favorite place - Area 404. It fit perfectly with the punk and grunge vibe.
We spoke with tattooed troublemakers The Hara, who tore the place up and left crowds sweaty and smiling after moshing to their tracks. BEX smashed the stage, her roar filling the tent, while Mallavora shone bright with their unique alt-metal sound. Deadwax and Astroid Boys blew the roof off, fusing grime, metal, rock and more.
The Hara
Area 404 also brought high-energy performances to Wrong Side of the Tracks, including Badger’s packed-out set. Actors with water guns sent audiences on challenges and every room revealed a new story and a new sound.
Metropolis raised the bar this year. Their new house stage, Nexus, pulled crowds to Sasha Gigi’s rave set. ASBO even discovered a new obsession: gabber - courtesy of Gabber Kebabber (read more about the sound of gabber here). Lady Leshurr commanded the stage, delivering a powerful set with her distinct vocals and sharp lyricism. She’s a woman who certainly knows how to put on a show.
Botania was filled with colour and charm, home to the Garden Centre rave tent and the most epic hotel you've ever stepped foot in. There is something for everyone, with Bad Apple bar hosting themed sets like ABBA, Disney, Sabrina Carpenter and more.
Joey Valence & Brae
The new main stage, Lions Gate, was home to Rudimental, Nia Archives and heavy drum and bass sounds. Majestic lights illuminated the stage as thousands skanked like never before. Grand Central returned with unforgettable sets, including Joey Valence & Brae, who delivered an iconic hip-hop performance and even took the time to chat with us. Kenya Grace brought angelic vocals over liquid drum and bass, while 4am Kru energised the crowd with jungle. Legendary Boney M put smiles on faces to close the weekend.
Did you stumble into any secret parties? ASBO did. Follow an Italian man in Copperwood and you might find yourself at a bizarre burlesque show. Others even found themselves at a Boomtown wedding. You truly never know where you’ll end up!
If you’ve never been to Boomtown, here’s some advice; be open to new experiences. Let the town take you on its own journey. Make a plan for the artists you cannot miss, but be ready to discover new sounds. Team ASBO is back in reality with the Boomtown Blues, but we return with new music, new friends and a new appreciation for the beautiful chaos.
Live Nation did one thing right by keeping the original ethos, creativity and passion of Boomtown since taking over. If only they looked after the people better. Transport issues and uninformed staff unfortunately hindered the experience. We hope that after thousands of inevitable complaints, Boomtown becomes a safe space where staff and festival-goers feel looked after and protected. Iron those issues out and it would be a ten out of ten festival.