One of our favourite weekends of the year is upon us once again. Back for its third consecutive year – Level Up Festival. The three day ska punk event put together by the legends from Be Sharp Promotions, Fishlock Promotions and El Topo Bookings has become a big favourite on the DIY festival calendar and has been a catalyst in the current re-emergence of UK ska punk. Here is my top ten picks for bands playing the festival this year. I have purposely left off headline acts The JB Conspiracy, Jaya The Cat, Imperial Leisure and King Prawn – they're awesome, you know that.
But, before we get going with the proper top ten, here's a little shout out to C-Rage who are playing the acoustic stage on Sunday at 7pm. Featuring many regulars from the Be Sharp crew, this will be their first full band gig and I'm sure they would love your support.
BaldHead And The Dreads (Friday 19.15–19.45)
Tasked with the job of opening the entire festival, local chaps BaldHead And The Dreads basically formed so that they could play Level Up Festival. Playing Paul Smith-core, Bald Head are one of the most fun new bands I've seen this year and deserve their place on the bill because they're a surprisingly good band and not just because they're mates with the promoters. Prepare to dance, to smile and to be completely baffled. All the good feelings.
ClayPigeon (Friday 21.00–21.40)
The great thing about festivals is that you're more than likely to see a band that have reunited to play. That's the case with East London's ClayPigeon. After breaking up a few years ago, I honestly never expected to see them play again but tomorrow I will! Back in their prime, ClayPigeon would wow crowds with their cross of ska, punk, hip hop, dub and dnb. It's going to be so exciting to see them again – I'm already imaging the crowd at New Cross getting very excited for classics such as Circles, Mentality, This Ain't War and Compass, as well as many others.
Damn Skippy (Saturday 15.30–16.00)
This will be my first time seeing Damn Skippy. Opening the day on Saturday, these five guys will quickly get the Level Up crowd dancing. This is some fine upbeat ska punk that doesn't take itself too seriously and will get you smiling. Just listening to them while I write this is putting me in a super good mood.
Jet8 (Saturday 18.30–19.00)
Prague's Jet8 will providing Level Up Festival with some skacore. Playing fast punk with some added horn lines will get the crowd moving, not so much with the skanking but with the mosh pit really opening up. Jet8 are another new band for me and I can't wait to see them.
Abraskadabra (Saturday 19.30–20.00)
Abraskadabra (who have the best name in ska punk) will be the first South American band to play for Be Sharp Promotions. I've been a fan of the band for a little while and their 2018 album, Welcome, was one of my favourites of the year. I'm delighted to get the opportunity to actually see them live as they're one I never expected to be able to. Combining 90s ska punk with a sound akin to more modern bands like We Are The Union, I fully expect Abraskadabra to be a Level Up highlight for a lot of people.
El Topo All Star Band (Saturday 23.15–00.00)
New Cross Inn after-parties are always so much fun. Coming all the way from Belgium to play the after party of Level Up are the El Topo All Star Band. According to their Facebook page they will be "ruining the classic songs you love or hate by coating them in ska-punk." If you're still standing after Imperial Leisure and Jaya The Cat then this will be the best way to continue your night.
The Larryfish Experiment (Sunday 17.30–18.00)
According to Fishlock, The Larryfish Experiment are "perhaps Bristol's most ridiculous and most fun band." I've seen the name on many ska punk gig posters over the past couple of years so it will be good to finally see the three piece live myself. One of the few bands of the weekend who don't have horns, they will provide a much needed rest bite for the New Cross Inn's overworked sound person over the weekend.
Just Say Nay (Acoustic) (Sunday 18.00–18.30)
After wowing everyone at the previous two Level Up Festivals, these local heroes will be striping things back this year and playing an acoustic set downstairs in Stocks Bar. I'm assuming that it won't be all fifty four members of Just Say Nay as there won't be room for anyone else down there. The band are currently working on their debut album so expect some songs from that as well as some old favourites.
Lead Shot Hazard (Sunday 18.30–19.00)
Lead Shot Hazard have been around for a while now and are firm favourites at the New Cross Inn. The band have been hard at work working on new material for their upcoming album, Fires To Find Our Friends, and they've promised to play some of it. For me, this album is long overdue and I'm very excited about it.
Redeemon (Sunday 20.30–21.00)
Coming out of the ashes of the much missed Beat The Red Light is Redeemon. Looking to continue where BTRL finished, expect some super intense thrash punk with some of the best horn lines in the game. Frontman Pook is one of the most watchable performers in the entire punk scene, a ball of energy whether he's on stage or being carried around the crowd. This is going to be something crazy.
This top ten was written by Colin Clark.
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