Old Market has long been a cultural, musical (and queer!) hotspot off the beaten track of Bristol City Centre. Lined with a seemingly impossible number of fantastic bars and venues, it really is the perfect place to host a multi venue festival. Arriving to the picturesque backdrop of the Trinity Centre we’re soon immersed in the world of Outertown Festival 2024. From their top notch branding to the jam packed lineup - we know we’re in for a big one.
Starting the day over at The Exchange, the venue was already busy with music fans ahead of Flip Top Head taking to the stage. The Brighton collective fill the space as they deliver their often rhythmic led genre-bending hits. Sprechgesang haters beware - there are large elements of this throughout their set, but their folklore-esque storytelling is somewhat of a fresh take on the trend.
Hurriedly making it back to The Trinity Centre, it was time for possibly one of the most hyped acts of the festival - Getdown Services. Quickly making a name for themselves, the two piece draw one of the largest crowds of the day - and as their geezerish anthems begin it’s easy to see why. From their dance-inducing rhythms to their tongue-in-cheek lyricism they bring fun and theatrics without taking themselves too seriously - or really in any way serious at all. Smiles all around, Getdown Services have proven themselves to be a must see live act who are very much worth the hype.
Over at The Ill Repute, Nottingham band Midnight Rodeo bring their psychedelic art-pop to the stage. With catchy hits and an abundance of charm, the band shine throughout their set. Blending in seamlessly with the on stage decor, the band bring a 70s feel to the venue which really set them apart from any other act appearing on the bill.
Down the road at Elmer’s Arms, we filtered in just in time to see local band Wakey Wakey Rise & Shine uveal their indie chaos. Packed full to the brim, the venue welcomed the bands’ wonderfully loud and archaic set with open arms. Having tweaked their sound over the years, the Bristol outfit continue to deliver sonically interesting sets with an upbeat nature and an emphasis on all things fun.
Back at The Ill Repute, hotdog in hand, it’s not long before Alien Chicks take to the stage. From start to finish their set is jam packed with high energy anthems and impossibly fast lyrics. As they jump around the tiny stage their non-stop energy breathes a life back into the room to continue into the tail end of the day.
Soon it was time for the main event. With crowds filtering back to the Trinity Centre, headliners Snapped Ankles appear in full headdresses. The anonymity behind the band has created somewhat of a mystery behind the pagan-esque punktronica outfit - and that only adds to the experience. Armed with a multitude of wooden-clad synths and instruments, they immediately grip the audience with an unwavering intensity. No detail is forgotten as the intricate elements meld together to create a truly special set. Their sound, although experimental, is extremely well polished. After all - rhythm really is their business.
Closing out the night at The Old Market assembly, the effortlessly cool Deadletter command the room. The lively crowd soon becomes riotous as the band deliver hit after hit. From their clever lyricism to their gripping intensity, they really don’t put a foot wrong. A polished set from start to finish, Deadletter’s infectious rhythms and snappy hooks will certainly have us singing along for weeks to come.
Despite some initial queues forming at the wristband exchange, overall Outertown Festival delivered a masterclass in how to run a multi-venue festival. Championing the local venues of Old Market (just one area of Bristol’s shining music scene!), they’ve captured the festival within a small radius which won’t put too much of a burden on your pedometer. With an impressive alumni and an ever growing reputation we think Outertown should definitely be on your radar for the years to come.
