Music lovers, festival fans and school-leavers from around the country flocked to Cornwall's picturesque coastline to kick off the highly anticipated Boardmasters Festival on Friday. After a drop or two of the wet stuff on Thursday night, the weather couldn't have been more cooperative as the high cloud prevented the sun shining too brightly on the masses, setting the stage for an unforgettable day of live music, thrilling performances, and euphoric vibes.

 

The festival roared to life on the main stage with the enchanting sounds of Nieve Ella, who opened the main stage with a captivating performance that set the tone for the day. As the afternoon progressed, we were treated to a superb set when Glasgow based artist Joesef took to the stage, weaving his soulful melodies through the air and keeping the crowd grooving. The energy only escalated as Cian Ducrot's dynamic set electrified the atmosphere, his incredible TikTok videos only encouraged more to get involved. This led to the ethereal and super catchy pop infused tunes of Gabrielle Aplin who played into the late afternoon.

 

As the sun started to settle over the festival grounds, anticipation reached its peak for The Vaccines, who rocked the stage with their signature indie-rock anthems, igniting the crowd with their infectious energy. But the night was far from over, as the mesmerising soundscapes of Ben Howard and his band prepared the audience for the grand finale.

 

Finally, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived – Lorde took the stage as Friday's headline act. With her commanding presence and unparalleled vocals, Lorde transported the audience to another world, delivering a performance that will be etched in their memories for years to come.

 

While the main stage was a hub of excitement which built as the day progressed, the festival's other stages showcased an equally impressive line-up of talent. Over at the Land of the Saints stage, festival-goers were treated to a diverse array of acts, from the indie vibes of Wunderhorse to the rebellious spirit and grime/punk infused sound of Bob Vylan who spent more time in the pit than he did on stage. Warmduscher brought their unique blend of punk and rock, while the legendary Cypress Hill closed out the stage with a performance of their seminal album ‘Black Sunday’ in its entirety that kept the crowd bouncing.

 

The View stage provided an intimate setting for some rising stars in the music world. Taylor Latham's haunting vocals were assisted by Ollie Dixon’s guitar skills captivated the audience, while Sivu's heartfelt performance struck a chord with many. Isaac Gracie's raw emotion and Dub Pistols' party starting antics did little to calm the mood which only escalated as their set progressed.

As the weather held over the picturesque Newquay coastline, the second day of the Boardmasters Festival on Saturday, brought an electrifying mix of music, talent, and camaraderie. Festival-goers eagerly flocked to the main stage and various other stages, creating an atmosphere charged with anticipation and excitement.

 

The Main Stage kicked off its spectacular line-up with the dynamic energy of Somebody's Child, setting the tone for an unforgettable day. The Lottery Winners were incredible and we learned that it was Thom’s birthday (singer) and made sure that he celebrated in style after their performance as he joined us in the press tent to drink champagne, eat cake and enjoy the good wishes directed his way from the team. Dylan followed suit, captivating the crowd with her infectious melodies and engaging performances which kept the audience involved. The Reytons, with their raw and unapologetic sound, kept the momentum going and had the audience singing along to every word.

 

Confidence Man took the stage, infusing their set with an irresistible blend of dance, pop, and electronic vibes. Raye bought the summery soul and R&B and Little Simz continued to keep festival-goers on their feet with her unparalleled stage presence and Hip Hop themed hits, both delivering performances that will be talked about for years to come.

 

The climax of the night came with the much-anticipated headline act, Liam Gallagher. The former Oasis frontman commanded the stage with his distinctive voice and rock 'n' roll swagger, delivering a performance that left the crowd in awe and marked the perfect ending to a remarkable day of music. Okay, he may have made various mentions of not being able to speak Cornish but I think these were taken in good taste by the masses.

 

While the Main Stage was undeniably the epicenter of the festival, the Land of the Saints stage provided a haven for alternative sounds and emerging artists. Chappaqua Wrestling, Kid Kapichi, and Nova Twins delivered powerful sets that showcased the diversity and talent of the modern music scene. Yard Act's unique blend of post-punk and indie rock resonated with the audience, and Rudimental closed the stage with an unforgettable DJ set that had everyone dancing into the night (and early hours).

 

Meanwhile, The View stage celebrated local talent and emerging artists. The legendary Jamie Yost wowed the crowd with his soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Abbie Piper and Webmoms Live Ensemble added their own distinctive flavours to the mix, while LANKS and A Blaze of Feather, featuring members of Ben Howard's band, provided a musical journey that transcended genres and captivated the senses.

The sun-drenched sands of Newquay provided the backdrop for another exhilarating day of music and revelry as the Boardmasters Festival's final day unfolded on Sunday. With a star-studded line-up spanning the Main Stage, Land of the Saints, The View, and more, the festival continued to prove itself as a haven for music enthusiasts from all corners of the world.

 

The Main Stage sprang to life with the soulful and mesmerising tones of BEKA, setting the tone for a day of musical brilliance. Caity Baser's pop themed melodies enthused the crowd, and her surprise appearance on The Cove stage later in the afternoon left fans buzzing with excitement. Black Honey's electrifying performance showcased their signature blend of alt-rock and pop, while Gentlemen's Dub Club brought a contagious energy that had the audience moving to their reggae-infused beats.

 

As the sun began its descent, the electronic duo Sofi Tukker graced the stage, delivering an unforgettable set that fused electronic and world music influences. Tion Wayne's captivating rap verses had the crowd hanging on his every word, and Dermot Kennedy's emotive vocals struck a chord with everyone present. The moment everyone had been waiting for arrived as Florence + The Machine took the stage, casting a spell with their enchanting melodies and theatrical presence, leaving no doubt as to why they were chosen as the headline act.

 

Over at the Land of the Saints stage, a diverse array of talents took centre stage. Sheffield via Totnes indie quartet Pale Blue Eyes charmed the audience with their dreamy soundscapes, while Flowerovlove's unique blend of genres left a lasting impression. Jockstrap's experimental pop pushed boundaries, Shy Girl's bold performance resonated with the crowd, and Four Tet's electronic wizardry transported listeners to another dimension.

 

The View stage continued its tradition of spotlighting local talent, with Ollie Dixon and his band delivering a show-stopping performance that showcased their musical prowess. Disco Rococo, Jo Hill, and Waldo's Gift added their own flavours to the mix, while Aussie band Caravana Sun, who had previously graced the Keg & Pasty stage five years ago, rocked the stage with their indie rock magic.

 

The festival's numerous stages, including Keg & Pasty, The Point, Unleashed, and The Cove, were alive throughout the weekend with performances that catered to a wide range of musical tastes. From indie to electronic, rock to hip-hop, and pop to house, each stage offered a unique experience that added to the festival's vibrant tapestry of sound.

 

Whilst the weather behaved for the majority of the weekend, we were treated to spells of showers on Sunday which tried to put a dampener on the event but it was the 50000 strong attendees who decided that this wasn’t going to be the case and amongst a sea of ponchos and bin liners, they dug their heels in and enjoyed what Boardmasters had to offer, sunshine or not!

 

We have covered Boardmasters now since 2015 and despite a couple of years cancelled owing to high winds and the global pandemic, it has carried on regardless. It has become a rite of passage for school leavers to let their hair down after receiving their exam results (either to celebrate or wallow in their own misery!) One thing that we can always be sure of is an eclectic mix of bands and acts throughout the weekend which cater for just about everyone.

 

If you like the idea of attending the 2024 event, you can head to boardmasters.com and sign up for presale access when tickets go on sale. Get in early and you’ll save yourself some money with the special ‘early bird’ offers.

 

See you there in August 2024!

Review by Steve Muscutt

Photo Galleries (Photos by Andrew Hobbs and Steve Muscutt)

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