Bang Face: Go hardcore or go home
Housed in the unlikely surroundings of Pontins Southport, Bang Face festival has been providing a weekend of electronic anarchy for modular synth fetishists and clubland oddballs since 2003. We spoke to long-time resident Dave Skywalker about what the Bang Face Hard Crew can expect from this year's blow-out.
Tell us what's happening at Bang Face this year.
Every year Bang Face gets a little bigger, and this year is absolutely no exception! We're so pleased to announce Amon Tobin, Acen, Rebekah, Max Cooper, Killbox, The Outhere Brothers (!) and hundreds more artists crammed into four immense days up at the rave-mecca that is Pontins Southport.
It's our tenth weekender, and as well as bringing some of the best artists in the techno, old-skool rave, bassline, jungle, breakcore and gabber scenes we've also teamed up with loads of takeover crews, including the return of Wrong Music, 20 Years of Peace Off Records, Off Me Nut, Lemtek, and loads more.
What can ravers expect to see on Chin Stroke TV this time round?
The last couple of years have seen amazing programming from the Chin Stroke crew, and this year the team (having returned from the Gobi Desert) are also taking to the stage with a live twelve-hour variety show of everything from keynote speakers, to a group snuggle session, to influential and captivating live performances from the likes of DJ Lara Croft's Dentist, DJ Detweiler, Shitney Beers and more.
Every event we pick a theme and encourage people to look the part
Of course, this will be beamed directly into people's chalets on the infamous Bang Face TV station.
Which artist are you most looking forward to?
I've personally been wanting to see Little Big live for years as I'm a bit of a fan, so it's amazing we could finally get them over this year, and also Rebekah will be immense, no doubt about it.
Coming from a background of old-skool hardcore, finally having Acen play is great, and not forgetting Luke Vibert, The House Crew, 2 Bad Mice, Mark Archer and more. There's so much great music around that you're almost certain to find someone new you've never heard of, but who you'll become a fan of.
I hear you got Jim'll Paint It to do the promo art this year?
Jim's been a member of the Bang Face Hard Crew (everyone who attends Bang Face is instantly members of the BFHC!) for years, and is a huge fan. Likewise, we're a fan of his work! He did amazing artwork last year and it was an honour to come up with the future-themed artwork for this year.
Every event we pick a theme and encourage people to look the part. This year's weekender theme is BANG TO THE FUTURE and the hard crew always come up with something crazy and inventive. It's part of what makes Bang Face so special.
You had the Vengaboys over from Holland a few years back. What did they make of it?
It's such a different crowd for them compared to their usual, and I think they were a little unsure what to expect, but they loved it - almost as much as the crowd did!
Sam Gregory
Bang Face 2019 takes place from 14 - 18 March at Pontins Southport.
