The sun blazed overhead, casting a golden hue over the scene as we geared up with our instruments, sunglasses and ensuring suncream was stashed in the cars. It was the dawn of festival season, and Rattler Fest was about to kick it off in style.
Arriving at different intervals, each of us brought our own vibe to the day. Anticipation mingled with a hint of nerves as we eagerly awaited our moment on the main stage.
Stepping into the festival grounds, we were greeted by familiar faces from backstage – sound techs, and crew. Their presence was like a reassuring embrace, calming our nerves and affirming that we were in good hands.
Just before heading on stage we had a quick catch up with True Foxes as well! They performed earlier on in the day and had a great crowd! Go check them out!
For those unfamiliar with our style, spontaneity is key. While we had a rough set list in mind, it was always subject to change as we fed off the crowd's energy and adjusted accordingly.
Ken kicked off the set with the timeless anthem "Born To be Wild" by Steppenwolf, seamlessly transitioning into one of our originals, "Steam," penned by Ken himself.
The crowd was electric, and Ken spotted a group of lads in orange shirts ripe for some rowdiness, treating them to an Arctic Monkeys cover which they enthusiastically embraced.
Luke took the spotlight next, acknowledging a wedding couple in the audience with a shout-out before leading a sing-along to classics like "Wagon Wheel" and "Country Roads," followed by his original compositions "Ghost In The Wild." and "Hard Days".
Olly then took to the main mic with a blast from the past, performing "Feel Good Inc." by Gorillaz, drawing in a diverse crowd with its infectious energy. We debuted Olly's latest track "1703," much to the delight of our fans, though its official release date remained a mystery.
Matt closed out the set with a nod to the band's roots with "Kansas City," igniting a spark in the audience, followed by the crowd-pleaser "Arrows," with voices joining in from both the front row and the back. Josh Curnow (as seen on Britains Got Talent) loved this one, as he filmed from the side of the stage!
As we wrapped up with "Bittersweet Symphony," the audience sang along with passion, reaffirming the unifying power of music in that moment.
And of course, no performance would be complete without our signature encore – the Thunder Mash-up, a concoction of energy and excitement that left the crowd buzzing. (Watch video below)
Once we finished, the adrenaline was buzzing, we had such a good time and great crowd. Time went so quickly and we wish we were back on the stage as soon as we came off! But as we left, we saw East17 rocking up and tried to scout out... Scouting for Girls but with no luck! Maybe next time!
Honestly, Rattler Fest and the team were nothing short of exceptional. Their dedication and professionalism, combined with their infectious sense of fun, made the experience truly unforgettable. We couldn't help but feel grateful for their support and camaraderie, from the bar, to security, to artists and the crew. Rattler Fest is amazing!
