A fun festival of Ska, Punk, Folk, Dub and Reggae, put together by excellent organiser Undercover Events, had Guildford partying!
An all-day music event takes quite some planning; and these days it’s a risky venture.. Fortunately for us, Undercover Festival and Events are seasoned pros, and the Chillitown Fayre afternoon and evening drew in a capacity crowd from across several regions!
Fine weather saw many folk out enjoying the beer garden during the breaks in between bands, with the on-site food van catering for hungry gig-goers and bands alike. The drinks were poured with a smile by the friendly staff behind The Holroyd‘s bar, and the warm atmosphere suffused across the venue throughout the day.
Opening the show were local Post Punk/Grunge noise trio Nihilist, whose fast, loud political punk songs ensured that we were all wide awake at the start of the event! Possibly to emphasise that they have a drum heavy sound, vocalist Jake Gaunt prowled the stage clutching a drum stick throughout most of their set.. Unforunately they played to the smallest crowd of the day, as many of us were delayed by the appallingly busy traffic conditions.
London ska / punk / dub outfit Baldhead raised the temperature, with their ever increasing number of band members! Performing a great Ska Punk set with an underlying Reggae theme, frequent tempo changes saw the growing crowd enjoying Baldhead’s musicality and enthsiasm!
The band encouraged the audience to join in with the catchy chorus of ‘Smoke Weed, Pet Dogs‘. They are unafraid to be political, with songs such as ‘Shit’s Fucked‘, and ‘Inflation‘, a cracking number about the population getting screwed over by greedy politicians.
Lickshot travelled in from Gloucestershire, a band of “four mates playing the sounds of their youth.” Ska/Nu-Metal/Hip-Hop/Grime and Punk all made an appearance, with a few electronic bleeps for good measure! Their animated frontman Stephen Grimes brought a Less Than Jake feel to their performance, and the crowd lapped it up.
“Trumpet Strangling Metalliska” band Redeemon hit the stage running – they almost didn’t make it to the gig, after their van broke down on their way from High Wycombe! Screeching at a million miles an hour, singer and occasional trombonist Pook got the excited crowd forming a circle pit, as the venue swelled to their blistering Skacore sound!
London-based Ska Punk band Filthy Militia brought an upbeat and cheerful Ska-Pop vibe to their set. They encouraged the audience to dance with their arms around each other to ‘Differences‘, then a very friendly mosh pit erupted, as pure joy brought the crowd up to speed! Singer Ben plus the entire horn section jumped into the crowd and continued to play during their last number, bringing a real party feel to the show. Give Filthy Militia’s great new EP ‘Coping Mechanism‘ a listen – it’s out now!
It was a very welcome return to The Holroyd stage for Brighton Ska/Dub/Reggae/Punks Dakka Skanks! Lead vocalist Clara Wägeli-Byrne never ceases to impress us with her incredible vocal range, which drew cheers from the audience, plus her sensitivity over the material she sings.
The band’s cool, funky, catchy Dub / Reggae / Ska set instantly had the packed room skanking and swaying, and their heavier guitar sound shows they can really rock out too! Clara once again performed ‘Nigel‘, a heartfelt song she wrote about her little half-brother, who she’s trying to rescue from an African orphanage after the death of both his parents. We wish them both all the love in the world x
A band with an interesting name – Tree House Fire – were up next. They’re a dynamic five-piece from Surrey and South Wales, with a sound deeply rooted in Reggae and Punk, enriched with elements of Hip-Hop, Ska, and Rock. Delivering energetic grooves, insightful lyrics, and catchy melodies, they certainly got the crowd moving!
Popular and talented, “Beer-soaked Celtic Punks” The Lagan immediately filled the room with their intense and jolly sounds. Taking Ireland’s traditional ballads to a new dimension, these guys are the best in their Folk-Punk field. Each one a consummate musician in his own right, they combine traditional folk instruments with modern punk rock to create a veritable explosion of melodic and wonderful tones.
The crowd thoroughly enjoyed The Lagan’s set, with much dancing in evidence, and many drinks raised! It’s no surprise that they are a favourite band in this part of the country. We’re most certainly looking forward to them returning to Suburbs at The Holroyd, Guildford!
Headliners Popes of Chillitown, after whom the occasion was named, took the crowd to fever pitch with their energetic blend of Ska/Dub/Punk with a progressive edge! Impossible to tie down and with enough energy to power a small city, their infectious songs had the audience singing along and jumping around, despite us all being pretty tightly packed in.
Popes of Chillitown are renowned for their energetic live shows, and tonight was no exception, as they hurled themselves around in a constant blur of motion! Singer Matt soon stripped off his shirt in the heat, while sax player Thiago was a whirling dervish of hair and noise, seemingly everywhere on the stage at once!
Their latest album ‘Take A Picture’ (2023) is a genre-denying melée of energetic, fiercely catchy and immersive songs, bringing together all the diverse influences in the band. Here’s the title track performed live on the night:
Matt took a stage dive and crowd surfed his way around the room at the end of their final, triumphant number, held up by many eager hands.
All were in agreement, bands and audience, that this event MUST happen again – and the great news is that is will!! Save the date – Saturday 7th March, 2026 – and you can get your bargain (limited) Early Bird tickets already from HERE
Don’t miss out on this superb event next year if you didn’t make it this time, and if you did, we reckon you’re sure to return!
Main Photo Credit / All Photos & Videos: RUTH RAE
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