Cosmosis Festival marks the first foray in to the 2016 festival season for Room Thirteen. This is a festival boasting the very best in Alternative and Psychedelic Rock, with a line up stacked with both legendary and newer bands side by side. It’s an event which has grown already in the space of a year, moving to a bigger location to accommodate the extensive demand. Across the day there is so much to get up to, so to help guide you through it we’ve picked the top three acts on each of the five stages.
Air Stage
The Jesus & Mary Chain (00:00 - 01:15)
The Jesus & Mary Chain got together 33 years ago, and despite a lengthy hiatus and several band member changes they’re still one of the leading lights in Alternative/Noise Rock. It is difficult to quantify the level of influence both Jim and William Reid’s have had on the bands across the whole Cosmosis line up but needless to say, a lot of them wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them. Their storied history with drugs and alcohol may be behind them, but there’s no doubt they’ll be looking to deliver a set akin to those in their heyday.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre (21:45 - 23:00)
Much like the band above, The Brian Jonestown Massacre are another band whose name has become synonymous with pioneering the Shoegaze/Noise Rock world. Despite only having one original member left in the band, and a previous members list on Wikipedia longer than we care to mention, reports from live shows recently point towards this potentially being one of the sets of the festival - their eclectic style is engaging to say the least.
Uncle Acid And The Deadbeats (18:20 - 19:20)
Sounding like the bastard children of Black Sabbath, Uncle Acid And The Deadbeats have really impressed in recent years. Already four albums deep in just six years, Uncle Acid have become the new masters at delivering intriguing Doom laden Rock tracks. There is no doubting that they’re right at home on the Cosmosis bill and will almost certainly generate a host of new fans after their performance. Probably the best live band on the bill.
Earth Stage
Deafheaven (19:00 - 20:00)
Deafheaven are easily one of the more intriguing bands on the line up. Intriguing both musically and for their placing on the bill. If you’ve never heard this band before, they’ve got these Shoegaze influences rumbling at their core, but they deliver it with a smack of Black Metal in your face. It’s heavy and dangerous sounding - this might end up being a slightly difficult set considering the bands immediately before and after them, but live they’re a powerhouse, DEFINITELY worth checking out.
Ringo Deathstarr (01:00 - 02:00)
With a sound heavily influenced by the event's main headliner Jesus & Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine, Ringo Deathstarr bring a wonderful slab of the psychedelic to their Shoegaze style. They’ve made the right impression, and quickly, in recent years which explains their spot headlining a stage at Cosmosis Festival this year.
The Black Delta Movement (14:30 - 15:15)
Hailing from Hull, The Black Delta Movement are a young Garage Rock band tasked with opening one of the five stages at Cosmosis Festival this year. There have been rumblings under the surface about this band across the Media, and they’ve really been able to build their own cult following. Do not be surprised if they rock up early afternoon and deliver one of the sets of the whole festival taking with them a whole new host of fans.
Water Stage
The Cosmic Dead (01:45 - 03:00)
If you listened to all of the bands across the whole line up, you wouldn’t be able to find one so closely attached to the concept and idea behind Cosmosis Festival as The Cosmic Dead. This band’s blend of Space Rock and Psychedelic madness will leave people standing in awe right up until the 3am curfew, providing a fitting end to the festival over on the Water Stage. Live they feel like you’re peering in to an awesome jam session between a very talented bunch of musicians.
Esben And The Witch (22:45 - 23:45)
This Brighton based three-piece, formed in 2008, bring a touch of Gothic; sounding a bit like Bauhaus with elements of early Nine Inch Nails thrown in to the mix as well. Their music is rough and grimy, complementing the vocals which soar across brilliantly. They’ve done well so far, building a bit of a cult following, but it’s live shows like this which might well push them on to the next level.
LSD And The Search For God (19:45 - 20:45)
With that as their band name, how could we NOT include them on this list. Seriously though, there’s a lot more to them than their name, as they sit firmly as one of the most impressive Psychedelic Rock acts on the scene. They were joined briefly by Brian Jonestown Massacre’s Ricky Maymi which again speaks volumes for their talent and ability - we might even get a small reunion on the day.
Fire Stage
The Lucid Dream (22:10 - 23:10)
The Lucid Dream bring a grittier edge compared to other Showgaze/Psychedelic bands on the line up, blasting out more aggressive in your face riffs in shorter, punchier passages. Their rough edged tone is similar to that of My Bloody Valentine and sounds suited for the live stage - definitely one to watch.
Purple Heart Parade (01:00 - 01:45)
Psychedelic local band Purple Heart Parade will be hell bent on delivering a memorable set at a festival which has descended in their home town focused primarily on their take on Rock Music. This will be a brilliant opportunity for Purple Heart Parade to raise their stock despite clashing with other big names on the other stages.
The Watchmakers (15:20 - 15:50)
One of the smaller bands on the line-up, one you’ve likely never heard of, but this group are generating buzz in all the right circles at the moment. If Primal Scream and BRMC ran towards each other at deadly pace, one of the strands of the explosion would be The Watchmakers. One for the future.
Aether Stage
Ulrich Schnauss (01:00 - 02:00)
Drifting more in to Melancholic territory here, Ulrich Schnauss’s beautifully simple music lends itself perfectly to Cosmosis Festival. He’s the kind of artist where you’ll listen to a track or two and quickly find yourself down a hole lasting hours. The electronic vibes across the music makes it sound like a weird blend of Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead. Closing out this stage late in to the night will be mesmerising.
K-X-P (23:30 - 00:30)
Carrying on the Electronic vibes, the dazzling K-X-P again threaten to deliver one of the sets of the weekend. Whilst technically more complex than Ulrich, the similarities to Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead are strong here as well - although with a far more Gothic feel on top. If you end up heading over to see this double header warn your friends that you may well be left in a full on trance for the rest of the weekend.
Warm Digits (20:30 - 21:30)
If you’re after all things Electronic and Trance at any point during the day at Cosmosis then this is the stage to be. Warm Digits’ gritty sounding edge will get the floor moving at the time when the perfect amount of beers have been flowing.
So there you have it, if our Preview of Cosmosis has enticed you even slightly then head over to http://cosmosisfestival.seetickets.com/tour/cosmosis-festival-2016 and grab a ticket now! There’s not a lot left!!