Moin

Moin journeyed through pummelling noise rock, gritty post-punk and wobbly experimental electronics. On their own, the London trio’s deconstructed sound is intense and unpredictable. In a live setting, you never quite know where they might veer off too next. Their set acquired added gravitas, however, when artist and writer Sophia Al-Maria joined, clothed in a Palestinian football shirt, to recite her artfully constructed spoken word poetry over the band’s ominous, groaning bass and off-kilter percussion. They wound their way seamlessly through tracks from 2024’s You Never End, Al-Maria’s voice drifting in to add a strong emotional core to their atmospheric wall of noise. 

Geordie Greep

The former Black Midi frontman has become known for his singular, uncontainable sound that jumps between samba, rock ‘n’ roll, jazz, swing and broadway showtunes with wild, unfiltered abandon. His RALLY set showcased this improvisational impulse with meandering riffs and thrashing, screeching guitars. Greep’s distinctive voice recited lyrics ranging from profound to ridiculously absurd. A doomsday-esque clock on the screen behind the band added to the absurdity, counting down the day second by second. If this created a foreboding sense of time running out, the crowd who created a moshpit at the front were too swept up in the moment to care at all.

POiSON GiRLFRiEND

POiSON GiRLFRiEND’s mind-melting dream pop was heavily influenced by London’s club scene, particularly the no-fucks-given approach many DJs had to genre purity at the shows she went to in the 90s. It’s over three decades since the Japanese artist released her seminal EP, MELTING MOMENT, in 1992, but her ethereal, escapist pop sounds as fresh as ever. She captivated the crowd with a blend of swirling ambient melodies, wispy vocals and bouncy electronic beats, encapsulating the cool confidence of someone who already knows she’s an underground legend. 

Nosedrip b2b Orpheu the Wizard

Stroom founder and hero of the Belgian electronic underground Nosedrip went b2b with the distinguished Dutch selector Orpheu the Wizard to conduct a masterclass in mind-bending sonics. Blending atmospheric synth wave, wavy disco funk and other esoteric beats, the duo took the packed-out stage to euphoric heights. Playing inside the Millhouse tent, warm red light and hanging tulle curtains made it feel like the set was taking place in someone’s living room, an intimate haven away from the bigger crowds. With skittish drum machines and eclectic, elastic house, this set was an underrated gem of the day.

Bassvictim

London duo Bassvictim got off to a strong start with their propulsive, glitchy hit Alice, performed with an erratic, confrontational energy. Vocalist Maria Manow punched the air and shouted the chorus of ‘Fuck you mean bitch’ at the already hyped crowd, before leaning down during one of the track’s quieter moments to light her cigarette with a lighter from someone at the barrier. The electronic duo then continued to barrel through their blend of EDM, electroclash and hyperpop at breakneck speed, taking the frantic crowd along with them every step of the way.