After a turbulent 2013 with both the festival and it’s replacement gig being cancelled, Hevy Fest has bounced back in 2014 and some of us here at Rocksins could not be happier. Not only is it good to see the festival back but it’s got a line up packed with some of the best hardcore, punk and metal bands around right now. So here’s 10 reasons why you should go to Hevy Festival this year.
1. Great headliners: With reformed post-hardcore heroes Finch and punk rock veterens The Vandals headlining, Hevy have pulled in two headliners who are guaranteed to put on a great show and you won’t see them at any other festivals this year this year.
2. Crime In Stereo are back for an exclusive UK show: Long Island punks Crime In Stereo are back for one UK show after their split in 2010. Fans will not want to miss this chance to catch the band one more time.
3. This years line up is one of their most varied yet: Although it is primarily a hardcore festival, this year Hevy has branched out a bit and brought in some great technical metal bands. With both Tesseract and Structures headlining stages it adds a great bit of variety.
4. Feed The Rhino are playing: Rocksins favourites Feed The Rhino will be returning to lay waste to Hevy Festival this year and you do not want to miss it. Feed The Rhino are without a doubt one of the most chaotic live bands around and it will be a great chance to hear songs off of their brilliant new album live. Just be prepared to be kicked in the face if you’re down the front.
5. UK Hardcore is out in full force: As well as Feed The Rhino, Hevy Festival has some of the best UK Hardcore bands playing. The likes of TRC, Polar, Palm Reader and Dead Harts will all deliver must see sets and Heights will be playing one of their final UK festival shows before they split later this year.
6. There’s some fun bands too: Deez Nuts will be having one massive party when they headline the second stage on the Friday night with all their tunes about drinking and partying, while Reel Big Fish will be hilarious fun when they play on the Saturday. And then of course there’s UK hardcore wallies The Hell, whose set will no doubt be the rudest and most ridiculous of the whole festival but will also be one of the highlights.
7. Smaller festival = Nicer atmosphere: Being a smaller festival means Hevy will have a very different atmosphere to the likes of Download and Sonisphere. And with so many of the bands playing being mates, Hevy will have one of the most friendly and laid back atmospheres at any UK festival this year. Until the pits open up that is…
8. There will be pits, lots of them: Stampin Ground and Pay No Respect will have some of the most chaotic pits on the Saturday night so those looking for a bit mosh action will not miss them. While on the Friday night Brutality Will Prevail will definitely live up to their name.
9. Good to see Hevy bounce back: It was a real shame to see Hevy struggle so much last year but now that they are back I’m sure Hevy are going to do everything they can in 2014 to make up for the disappointment of last year.
10. Finally, you can go to the zoo: Festivals are generally pretty wild events, but no other festival includes a zoo. If you’re too hungover in the mornings to deal with watching bands then a nice trip to Port Lympne Wild Animal Park will be the perfect way to nurse that hangover.
Hevy Festival takes place at Port Lympne in Kent on the 15th and 16th of August. Tier 1 tickets are now sold out but if you hurry tier 2 tickets can still be brought for a reduced price here: https://www.hevyfest.com/
