Live Report: RALLY Festival 2024
“Nothing is certain except death and taxes,” Benjamin Franklin once said, but he didn’t account for guaranteed rainfall over RALLY Festival. A 2023 debut had seen something similarly biblical yet, testament to the organisers and the spirit of its punters, this writer couldn’t wait to return for year two. It arguably shouldn’t have been such a success; festivals, especially those of the one day variety, have been washed away permanently for less.
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The good spirit of its festival goers mirrored this year’s theme: ‘the art of gathering.’ RALLY lives its theme more than most, investing substantial energy and budget into its arts programme. Kicking off the festival with an arts tour courtesy of Haja Fanta is a delightful touch and adds context to the work scattered across the site, offering a blank canvas to artists when creative pursuits are being squeezed and the spaces to do them in are even more limited. Works by Katie Surridge and BOSCO Youth Centre particularly stand out, as well as interactive efforts by Corbin Shaw and Connor Kawaii. It’s easy to be cynical about a festival’s priorities but the consideration here is evident, with sculptures and designs positioned thoughtfully amongst the crowds and spoken about with such enthusiasm by Haja. Any lingering scepticism fades as, later, festival goers queue up to interact and immerse themselves within the celebratory queer peep show and pass through Call Super’s exhibition. Evidently, the RALLY team have spent just as much time curating the arts programme as they have the excellent musical lineup.
Having worked well in 2023, the blend of intriguing live acts and eclectic DJs is just as impressive this year, boasting arguably one of the strongest rosters to be found this festival season. Much of the live section is excitingly hard to pin down, with the likes of Armand Hammer, Chanel Beads and Fabiana Palladino smudging the usual confines of genre.
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Naturally, there’s a nagging feeling of always missing something else great amongst the inevitable clashes, although the site is small enough to move easily from one end to the other pretty rapidly. ML Buch’s set is so hypnotic that, despite taking place on the Agnes stage in the thick of the site, she demands full attention. Gooey synth lines peek from behind gristly guitar feedback and pair well with her soothing storytelling.
The clouds part, fittingly, as James Massiah closes his raucous set with evergreen banger ‘Natural Born Killers’ in the Milhouse tent, a new addition for 2024. Just after, James Holden attracts a similarly devoted crowd as he incorporates a live band into his techno odysseys, while Sorry don’t allow a lengthy soundcheck to overshadow their frantic shoegaze set, interspersed with Megan Thee Stallion samples.
At a time when many festivals are leaning into all-out electronic lineups, which is arguably the easier thing to do, RALLY’s support of the live music ecosystem does feel essential, especially in the context of many others having to cancel. Crucially, what’s on show here today transcends genre but not quality, and the programmers have clearly built trust with their audience.
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The calibre of performances is high, and Alabaster DePlume delivers thirty minutes of incendiary, improvisational post-punk that lays waste to the rest. With a fluid set that responds to however the saxophonist is feeling at that time, he veers between majestic solos to math rock interludes and furious monologues. At one point, DePlume’s vitriol summons one of the heaviest downpours of the day; those that stick it out are treated to a lesson in rage, rebellion and togetherness.
As DePlume urges onlookers to “go forward in the courage of your love”, many are beaming, some are bemused, and all are connected. It encapsulates the ‘art of gathering’ theme impeccably; it would seem that RALLY have perfected the art in just two short years.
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Words: Lee Wakefield
Photo Credit: Angelina Nikolayeva
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