The day started off with a trail of bad luck, first finding out The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus had pulled out of the fest due to family issues. Then your demise 2004 also cancelling their appearance because of breakdown. However, there still was some great bands including headliners Don Broco. My first mission was to get into the venue, called an original name... "the venue" as the ticket guy could not find me on the list. When he dud he said all wristbands and press pass had gone and would have to get a standard one, I sucked it up and accepted as I headed into the venue.
If you haven't been to MAS before they have a neat set up of two stages next to each other and as one band finishes the next starts which usually makes for streamline run providing bands dont pull out that is. First up on the main stage is Kim Blair, a female vocalist who wants to be a pop star, backed up by a rock band. As she covers various pop songs with her average vocals she stretch's across the stage in a leotard that only serves to make her flat vocals seem more appealing. A contrast happens on the NEVolume/second stage as a local pop punk band hit the stage, Across All Oceans. There songs may not be brilliant but they certainly are catchy, original and a band worth supporting.Black Nevada are next up showcasing more Middlesbrough has to offer in terms of talent, playing a heavier set they win over new fans alike before, All At Sea do nothing but fill the gap for me. Thiscityisours try to concur this city with their metal core before, Waster waste no time in punching out there awesome punk jams. Then a standout band of the fest took to the stage. They are North Seasons and they are here only because they won a competition and am glad they did as they provide deep and exciting melodies and vocals, think letlive or la dispute and you wont be far off. Boston manor show off their infectious rhythms followed by the unpredictable and entertaining, Creating To Inspire. Things start getting more exciting as too underappreciated bands, Attention Thieves and Boy Jumps Ship hit the stage both providing sing-alongs to fill bigger venues.
Among the few interviews I did with bands none of them were as entertaining as Attention Thieves, who talk chat up lines, record labels and scaring Don Broco in a toilet. All the interviews will be online in the future. Back to the bands of the day, it got busier and more entertaining as the night went on, with Napoleon and Malevolence causing mass chaos with huge pits. Roam also provide an adrenaline filled set that demonstrates how far punk has come drawing in big crowds thanks to the rise of pop punks Neck Deep. Betraying The Martyrs rip open everyone's insides with the heaviest/bass filled set including a jump from the rafters from a rabid keyboard player.
ms of What You Do To Me. Then suddenly, the lights go out, the drums keep going and panic erupts on stage as it seems the entire block on Linthorpe road is in blackout. The crowd and drummer finish the song before the band depart the stage. With the power not back ten minutes later the decision of an acoustic evening is decided with only a guitar and Robs power of projection they play Fire, Priorities and Money (again) before miraculously the power fires back up. Don play a new album heavy set, with thug work out thrown in for good measure. They end the night in style with Wanna Know and their heads held high as they have played the best show I have seen in a long while.
This was certainly a day to remember, with a great line up and Don Broco literally bringing the house down. Perfect day minus someone throwing glitter! Here is to next year at MAS when am sure I will still be finding glitter in my eyes.
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