Review: Breakfest 2024, Strange Brew – ‘A high quality day festival’

Curated by Josh Jarman and Dan Anthony of Breakfast Records, the day weaves in and out of artists and genres, switching between two rooms over ten hours.

Now in its fifth year, Breakfest has built a lucky charm reputation, historic bands at this eclectic indie all-dayer including the likes of Lambrini Girls, Getdown Services and Los B*tchos.

First up in the back room was Ex Agent, the Bristol six piece with a haunting yet uplifting set; it was hard to nail down a genre as they danced between jazz, punk and experimental styles.

There was a narrative, a sense that the band were taking us somewhere with large cacophonies and intense quiet. There’s an authenticity about this act, a sense that they’re finding their own genre.

This is the fifth year Breakfast Records has staged their all-dayer of eclectic indie, rock, folk and post-punk music

Sheffield trio Good News released debut album Small Forms just a few days ago. Wearing identical stripey tops, they effortlessly churn out post-punk minimalist rhythms with dead pan lyrics and upbeat quirky guitar.

Lead vocalist Beth Aylward playing the melodica and clarinet throughout was an unexpected but welcome addition.

Muriel has been one to watch for a while now. The Cardiff five piece gave a layered performance, building a lo-fi sound, strong guitar and lap steel guitar with violin as texture.

Last song Lavender by The Frames displayed their structural arrangement skills beautifully, paired with simplistic lyrics, really showing off their intricate craftsmanship.

Cardiff’s Muriel layer violin, lap steel and guitar hooks

Next, Ead Wood took to the back room with their catchy American country rock tunes. Front man Ed Soles, also a  member of Langkamer, was front and centre with his distinct voice. New single Menu is an earworm: a great hook with oozing guitar lines and playful lyrics, it makes you feel like it’s July 4.

It’s always exciting when a band has a lot of members. Mandrake Handshake, the Oxford-based eight-piece, work together to create a layered big sound. There is a lot going on, a lot of different things to focus on, making them one of the most interesting live shows of the day.

The psychedelic sound, breezy and occasionally intense vocals with warm guitar and staggered tambourine, somehow still allows space for their individual personalities to shine through.

Oxford’s Mandrake Handshake were psychedelic, breezy and warm

For the second year in a row, Blood Wizard burst onto the front room stage to a packed out crowd. This band have been around a little while, but have been making waves recently with their single Big Fish.

Strong bass anchors each song, vocals of Cai Burns mixed with Faye Robinson’s backing vocals working beautifully over the top of the sonic interludes.

Mould, the Netherlands doom metal band,are one of the exciting discoveries of the day. The energy was there from the get-go, with heavy guitar, building drums and impressive vocals. They were perfectly placed on the line up to get the crowd going.

Welsh legends Melin Melyn, having played the back room in 2022, now headline the front room two years later. They are the kind of band you can’t help but watch – they not only have a unique sound, they know how to put on a show.

Melin Melyn – a unique sound and great show, you ‘can’t not watch’

In matching Daisy boiler suits with a handmade windmill at the front of the stage, they even have synchronised dance moves at times. Favourite tracks: Hold The Line, about being ghosted by an energy supplier; and new single Vitamin D, a story of a person in love with a computer.

‘Give us another round of applause please!’ says frontman Gruff Glyn before launching into new material from their upcoming album, due for release in March 2025.

With their self proclaimed seventies typography and sun drenched melodies, the Cardiff six-piece are a breath of fresh air.

Melin Melyn, from Wales, are fronted by their own handmade windmill stage prop

With non-stop bands from 2pm-1am, the festival was organised efficiently without clashes and band’s running on time, giving the audience breathing room in between acts. From the programming to the pragmatics, it’s evident Breakfast Records know what makes a high quality day festival.

For those who could hack it, Eades hit the back room from just after midnight into the early hours. For those who couldn’t hack it, it was a happy trundle home, tired but head buzzing with the annual remnants of Breakfest.

All images: Daisy Kennedy

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• Review: Fat Dog, Rough Trade – ‘Supercharged electro-punk meets heady rave’
• Hiding in plain sight

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