Camden Rocks Festival has always been amongst our favourite events on the calendar each year, and with it continuing to expand our claim of it being one of the best value festivals in the UK continues to ring true. Here's some numbers - 1 day, 250 artists, 25 venues for just under 40 quid! Yeah. Whilst we're using our preview coverage this year to give you some of our picks across the line-up, one of the best things about Camden Rocks year on year is the fact that it opens up this vast opportunity to go on a proper discovery mission. Whether your music tastes falls under the heavier spectrum or completely the other way, the sheer amount of artists playing in venues across the length of Camden come Saturday 3rd June means there'll always be something to watch. There are tickets still available - head over to http://camdenrocksfestival.com/tickets/ for more information and purchases. Please ensure you always go through official ticket outlets.
Without any further ado then, we've cast our eye on the 2017 line-up and here's some of our top picks!
Turbowolf - The Underworld - 18:00
After a short time away from the spotlight of live shows, Turbowolf are ready to make their return at Camden Rocks Festival this weekend armed not only with the crowd favourites but hopefully a couple of new jams as well. The band have been working away on what is set to be their third studio album and with the glimpses of new stuff on the festival circuit last year our expectations have remained at "very excited" for a long while now. Always one of our favourites here at Room Thirteen, we've absolutely no doubt that (much like they have done so many times in the past at this festival) they'll deliver the set of the day.
Orange Goblin - Electric Ballroom - 19:30
There isn't too much in the way of Heavy Metal at Camden Rocks this year, but thankfully the boys in Orange Goblin are going to be there to redress the balance somewhat. Always crowd favourites in any venue they hit in Camden there's no doubt that they'll absolutely pack out The Electric Ballroom later on in the evening . This is a band who have been going for just over twenty years now so expect to hear a set-list grabbing cuts from across their album history, no doubt culminating in the carnage that Red Tide Rising encourages and THAT riff. You'll need to get in there early for this lot so be warned.
Ruts DC - The Underworld - 19:30
Since they reformed in 2009, Ruts DC have been delighting both old school Punks and new fans alike as they've tirelessly toured and continued to churn out new music which hasn't in any way tainted some of the classics of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Originating from London, Ruts DC are widely regarded as one of the key components in that all important Punk era, utilising their reggae infused punk sound to continually remain politically charged and active in causes they truly believe in. Expect to hear some deeper cuts as well as tunes from last year's critically acclaimed Music Must Destroy (the title track of which including Henry Rollins!) in a venue which will no doubt be packed out with swathes of their loyal following.
The Damned - Electric Ballroom - 21:00
Following the celebration of their 40th anniversary in 2016, The Damned still prove themselves to be a force in the Punk scene, releasing the excellent Damned Damned Damned earlier this year as well as continuing to work hard on tour. The Damned are a band who are sometimes unfairly forgotten in the often recited history of Punk, especially considering the fact that they were right there at the forefront of it all. They're one of those where it's difficult to quantify just how important they've been for Rock music in the UK - genuine legends of the game, don't miss this.
Continents - The Dev - 22:00
Leaning back in to the heavier side of things, Welsh Hardcore unit Continents are all set to headline The Dev come Camden Rocks this Saturday in a set which will no doubt test some of the foundations inside. In what feels like an endless conveyor belt of excellent Hardcore bands rising through in the UK at the moment (we're not complaining!) the bar has been raised in the live arena to ensure you maintain a high level of attention. Continents are absolutely punishing live so if you're looking to end your Camden Rocks Festival with a sprinkling of bedlam, make sure you head down to the The Dev for some serious riffs.
Skarlett Riot - The Dublin Castle - 20:00
We've caught Skarlett Riot several times over the years at similar sized festivals and have always been impressed by how much extra charge and energy they bring to their tracks in a live environment. Skarlett leads from the front in excellent fashion with a powerful, at times soaring, vocal delivery proving to be an excellent mesh with the gritty garage style rock boiling underneath. This is a band who are continuing to rise and will be well worth keeping an eye on beyond catching them Camden Rocks this year.
Royal Republic - KOKO - 16:00
Swedish rockers Royal Republic are another band who are seriously experiencing a rise through the ranks at the moment. At last year's Download Festival they managed to attract a huge crowd despite their early slot time with their reputation as a live band continually gaining traction. They sound good on record, but the 'fun' element that they bring to their very energetic live performances are where they shine. Expect the KOKO to be bouncing!
Pulled Apart By Horses - Electric Ballroom - 16:30
Pulled Apart By Horses are currently out on tour in support of their recently released popular fourth studio album The Haze. Much like a lot of the bands we've picked in this list, we want to make sure you're at all the right places at Camden Rocks this year and Pulled Apart By Horses have the kind of energy and power live which definitely places them up there as one of the key bands on the bill. Their live prowess has seen them handpicked to be support acts for the likes of Biffy Clyro and Muse over the years and their continually rising popularity will likely make the Ballroom a very busy place midway through the afternoon.
Fizzy Blood - The Monarch - 16:30
Fresh off of their stint as the opening band on the recent huge While She Sleeps tour, Fizzy Blood were able to attract a host of new followers despite providing something very different to their touring mates. This Leeds based five piece seriously know how to bring a racket live and with a mid-afternoon slot in one of the more popular venues at the festival it is safe to assume that they'll get people going and drinks will subsequently fly (as they always seem to do in The Monarch).
Exist Immortal - The Dev - 18:00
Again moving in to the heavier spectrum, Exist Immortal do NOT fuck around when it comes to writing huge Tech Metal infused tracks incorporated with doses of hardcore style crunch. The band released their new record Breathe in late 2016 and is an album which has certainly been very well received. They almost feel like veterans of the Camden live scene now and this should end up being one of the more popular sets on the day for those hunting out the heavy stuff.
In Search Of Sun - The Fiddler's Elbow - 13:00
In Search Of Sun are a band we've followed for several years here at Room Thirteen, right back to the days where they went under the guise of 'Driven', so their inclusion on any festival bill always piques our interest. Even with a set time as early as this, they have got a very loyal following so we expect them to attract decent numbers. If you want to hear a heavy rock group purposely moving away from a sound that you'd perhaps expect in order to generate genuinely interesting material get down to the festival early for In Search Of Sun.
So those are our picks for Camden Rocks Festival this year then! 250 bands, 25 stages, 1 day - there's ALWAYS something to watch. Hit us up on both Facebook and Twitter and let us know who you're most excited about seeing this year!