If nepotism means having a friend who runs the coolest festival in Bristol, then consider me a full-fledged beneficiary. “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” I quipped to my friends walking to collect our guest list tickets during a pre-spring blue-skied morning at rough trade. Little did I realize that I had forgotten one crucial detail – I had worked my butt off for free, labouring 10+ hours each time to help bring the first few Ritual Unions to life in Oxford back in 2017. But hey who’s keeping score?
After a challenging debut year caused by a global pandemic, the festival returned for its second edition in the most beloved city of the UK (bias?). Spread across SWX, Strange Brew, Rough Trade and Dareshack, the festival boasted an impressive lineup of 58 performances from midday until the early hours – more than any other single day at Reading or Leeds festival. With tickets priced at around £30, attendees certainly got their money’s worth.
The day began with a surreal performance by Pem, an indie folk artist who entranced us with a gentle 30-minute set featuring tracks from her debut EP ‘Songs About Hands,’ released in 2022. Pem’s presence and tone had a mystical quality that brought to mind images of enchanted garden creatures, as if she might appear out of nowhere while walking through a forest. Perhaps it was just my imagination, or maybe it was the birds chirping throughout her EP. If you’re curious to hear more, I urge you to listen to her song ‘Overshare’ on Spotify.
Inspired by her creativity I then took a quick two-street detour to collect film from a local camera store and then began my misfortunes.
The excitement was palpable as we rushed to catch the tail end of North London indie rockers Gold Baby, before hurrying off to get a good spot at SXSW. Stoked might be the word to describe how I felt about witnessing a killer run of amazing acts, including Panic Shack, Melyn Melyn, Lime Garden, Vanity Fairy, Heavy Lungs, Try Me, Ciel, and Oriells. Armed with my trusty Black Magic and 35mm film, I set off to capture the magic and preserve it for posterity.
As the house lights faded to black, the anticipation in the air was palpable. The Cardiff quartet, Panic Shack, were about to take the stage, and we knew we were in for a wild ride. These guys aren’t content with just playing music; they create a full-blown assault that leaves you gasping for air (laughing? Screaming? …). Their 2022 release, ‘The Ick,’ perfectly showcases their infectious energy and unbridled creativity, as they effortlessly blend punk, indie, and pop into something truly encapsulating. As the final notes of their set rang out, we were left buzzing with adrenaline, It was time to hit the bar and relive the madness over a pint.
Upstairs was a packed room for pop disco, Vanity Fairy before I saw her I saw a cloak of sequins, She was a walking disco ball, shining and sparkling with every step she took. Adding to the shimmer of her performance was her beautiful falsetto, which blended seamlessly with the elegant fusion of synths and sweet, ascending strings, creating an extra layer of 70s-inspired magic to her music.
Lime Garden, the latest sensation from Brighton and named by NME as a top artist for 2022, graced the stage to perform their post-punk rock single ‘Bitter,’ which had just been released. Frontwoman Chloe Howard donned a ‘So Young’ tee, while guitarist Leila Deeley’s commanding presence anchored their alternative rock sound. With their raw, lo-fi indie style, I closed my eyes and let the music wash over me, secure in the knowledge that this genre-bending band would not disappoint.
West Yorkshire band The Orielles took to the stage at Ritual Union straight from their 2023 UK tour, like cosmic travelers arriving from a distant galaxy. Despite a brief delay due to audio difficulties, the packed crowd was in for a treat as the band launched into their set with ardent arpeggiating synth sequences, overdriven guitar tones, crisp drum sound, and Esmé Hand-Halford’s soothing vocals. The band’s eight-minute song “Beam/s” exemplified their use of off-rhythm electronic sounds to create a dreamlike world that fuses seamlessly with the ecstatic guitar playing of Henry Carlyle-Wade. “The Instrument” built tension with a dazzling guitar riff that transformed into jangly dream-pop, and older hits like “Sunflower Seeds” and “Bobbi’s Second World” energized the crowd with their funky rhythms and progressive melodies.
After my camera died and exhaustion set in, I decided it was time to let loose and enjoy the rest of the evening. Porridge Radio closed out the night with an incredible set, while Big Jeff took the stage for a midnight performance. I also want to give a shoutout to an incredible set from Heavy Lungs, my new friends Chalie and Alfie from Kinda Weird Mag, my old friends Joey and Rhys, and of course Simon for the invite. Once again, Ritual Union 2023 was a smashing success with its multi-venue setup running seamlessly as always. Unfortunately, all visual ‘preservations for prosperity’ were either overexposed or shot in slow-motion. So, my only choice is to give it a second go in 2024. I’ll be sure to see you all then
