Misery Loves Company, Bristol’s brand-new, alternative day festival, spread over four legendary venues in the heart of the city. With 40+ acts to choose from and 50% being female or non-binary members, making this a gender-equal event. They’ve also teamed up with Head Above The Waves, a non-profit organisation that raises awareness of depression and self-harm among young people. Something to be applauded before the festivals even started. We obtained our wristbands, scanned our clash finder, and headed out for a day of rock.
Starting the day, we headed to The Station to catch the five-piece, queer DIY punk band, The Menstrual Cramps. This band claims the title of punk, combining witty lyrics and an energy that got the crowd in the exact frame of mind needed for the long day ahead. It was my first time experiencing a day festival between several venues instead of outdoor stages, and I have to say how great the atmosphere was inside and outside the locations. Punks and rockers of all generations come together to enjoy the music. GURL was next up to the stage. Their presence was magnetic and theatrical, and it didn’t take much for the audience to get involved with participation. Pengshui is another band where it doesn’t take much to get the room moving. Where grime meets punk, they never fail to bring the noise. These guys are playing Bristol again in November, and if you want a night of sweaty moshing, I highly recommend getting a ticket.
Over at The Lanes, Lake Malice unapologetically commanded our attention from the get-go in a whirlwind of loud organised chaos. Every song is super-charged with anger-fueled, heavy guitar and bass, and lead singer Alice Guala’s scream dominates the room. Lake Malice is one not to miss and was a highlight of the day.
We ended our night in The Lanes, Heriot filled the headline slot and they were taking no prisoners. This band is heavy, combining doom, post-metal, and a sludgy, dark, guttural sound. Before long, the room has turned into a metallers playground, with flailing arms and colliding fans.
During their 40-minute set, not a single person stood still and they rinsed every last morsel of energy out of the crowd. An immense way to end this amazing day.
‘We’re all sad, so let’s be sad together’, a bittersweet tagline for such an incredible festival. Congratulations to the team behind the day and all the bands that performed. Some honourable mentions include Adharama, Kite Thief, and Kid Bookie. It is indeed a source of comfort to share your sorrow with people in similar situations, not a face was without a smile, and we all relished the beautiful moments during some of our favourite acts. We hope for many, many more years of Misery Loves Company.
📝📸 – @scramsistermedia / Cheyenne Jayne-Manning
Cheyenne Jayne-Manning @scramsistermedia
Role: Photographer
I’m a professional photographer, and I love to shoot festivals, events, and gig-goers. I’m also an editor, specialising in music videos.
Qualification: BA (hons) in Documentary Film Making from the University of Newport.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots and Touring
First attended gig: One of the first gigs I ever went to on my own was Chase & Status in 2008. My mates and I covered ourselves in glow paint, only to sweat it off jumping and dancing. It was the start of my never-ending gig list.
First gig shot: Technically the first band I ever shot would have been my dad’s, at the age of 9! My mum gave me this giant tape camcorder and I filmed the entire thing. Since then, I’ve shot plenty of friends’ bands whilst co-managing the live music venue, Le Pub in Newport, and I haven’t stopped since.
Dream gig: CASisDEAD, Slow Club, Enter Shikari, Dizzee Rascal (in the Boy In The Corner era), Turnstile, and The Prodigy.
