It’s hard to contain our excitement for much longer, End of the Road festival is finally only one week away. The festival we’ve been looking forward to all summer is approaching, and in the build-up to next Friday, Wax will be previewing what to look forward to as the festival celebrates it’s momentous tenth year as the best weekend on the calendar. From discussions with some of the artists appearing to looking at the legacy of the festival as a whole, we’ll be providing you with an in-depth study of End of The Road festival and all the treasures it has to offer. Where better to start than with the small matter of picking just ten of the acts that you cannot miss on the weekend of 4th – 6th September. See you in the garden.
OUGHT
FRIDAY ~ GARDEN STAGE ~ 16:30 – 17:30
With the release of their second LP ‘Sun Coming Down‘ set for just after the festival, Ought will hopefully be providing the first taste of the new record at End of The Road. What cannot be questioned is that the group will deliver something distinctive and encompassing once again through their astute post-punk. Their live set channels the understated recordings with an added air of resolve and atmospheric poignance. Perhaps the perfect accompaniment to a late afternoon.
STEPHEN STEINBRINK
SATURDAY ~ TIPI TENT ~ 16:00 – 16:45
Stephen Steinbrink’s affable compositions are patient and contemplative, prospering in it’s range of intimate, intricate progressions to full-band grandiosity. Steinbrink gratifyingly lays his creative thoughts out in such an open way that is pleasantly unforeseeable from such a personal character. Within a live setting his affecting voice remains embracing, revealing a notably wise, special spirit.
THE BLACK TAMBOURINES
SUNDAY ~ BIG TOP ~ 13:00 – 13:45
With new record ‘Freedom‘ finally set for release this Friday, The Black Tambourines will be in an especially frivolous mood come their set on Sunday afternoon. Delivering fresh, eclectic cuts from their second LP and some of their undeniable hits from ‘Chica‘ and ‘The Black Tambourines‘, the group’s swaggering Garage-Pop will be an unmissable treat.
FUZZ
FRIDAY ~ GARDEN STAGE ~ 20:00 – 21:00
Ty Segall remains as busy as he ever has been. Although we have yet to hear a record from him this year, the return of Fuzz brings great excitement for those with a fondness for Segall’s heavier explorations. Grooving riffs and psychedelic mysticism are of course to be prescribed, preparing for whig outs at an ear-piercing volume wouldn’t be quite misjudged either.
JESSICA PRATT
SUNDAY ~ TIPI TENT ~ 18:30–19:15
We cannot think of many other records that are as joyfully mystical and possess such an aura of timelessness from this year than ‘On Your Own Love Again‘, the second LP from Jessica Pratt. Delivering with elegance, Pratt’s music drifts with effortless intimacy. It would be understandable for such warmth to not transcend into a festival setting, but Pratt does so with aplomb, filling large spaces with her luscious melodies and intense poeticism.
ULTIMATE PAINTING
SUNDAY ~ BIG TOP ~ 14:15 – 15:00
In releasing two excellent records in quick succession, Jack Cooper and James Hoare have provided us with a catalogue of mellow jams that pleasingly stretch within a pop template. Their rich tone and considered harmonies naturally ooze subtleness, providing a laid-back canvas and more considered verse for the thought-provoked. With the addition of Mazes drummer Neil Robinson to the groups live forte, UP’s gift for curious progressions will be delivered with extra satisfaction.
RYLEY WALKER
FRIDAY ~ GARDEN STAGE ~ 12:00 – 12:45
‘Primrose Green‘, Ryley Walker’s second LP, has been a slow-burning joy this year. Much like Jessica Pratt’s ‘On Your Own…‘ Walker has an ability to create a dense, spellbinding atmosphere using just his rich, vintage tone and deep, almost sullen timbre. Adding an extra edge of intensity and improvisation to his live proceedings, Walker is a personality easy to escape with.
ALVVAYS
SUNDAY ~ THE WOODS ~ 17:30 – 18:30
Alvvays forthright dream-pop is focused, slightly melancholic and undeniably absorbing. The economical guitar-pop of Alec O’Hanley, Kerri Maclellan’s emotionally-driven synth and Molly Rankin’s engrossing vocal delivery makes for a succinct production. Their live set thrives with added passion and cohesiveness that will let Alvvays’ melodies really shine as the sun begins to set on the last day of the festival.
JUAN WAUTERS
FRIDAY ~ GARDEN STAGE ~ 13:30 – 14:15
Steeped in 60s Folk and Lo-Fi raspiness, Juan Wauters has an impressive ability to amass the qualities of his comprehensive influences and create something pleasantly novel and grounded, his sharp, natural progressions and untainted vocal delivery combining to make sweet, eclectic pop. With his band of friends behind him, Wauters confessional love songs will be unintentionally purposeful and create a sweet, satisfying setting.
SUFJAN STEVENS
SATURDAY ~ THE WOODS ~ 21:30 – 23:00
What superlatives can be used that haven’t already about the music and personality of Sufjan Stevens? ‘Carrie & Lowell‘ is one of the most fragile, vulnerable listens you’ll hear not just this year, but period. Combined with some of his most moving compositions from his illustrious back catalogue, Sufjan’s set will be emotional, confessional and most notably, uplifting.