Saturday, 1st February, was the 11th Icebreaker Festival, which did not disappoint! A full day of music from all genres was covered across 8 venues, with over 100 bands and artists playing.

Like last year, they teamed up with Makemake Brewery to create their very own Icebreaker pale ale, which was on tap at various venues across the festival and popular amongst the festivalgoers.

Aside from the amazing venues, one of the best things about Icebreaker is the awesome variety of live music! It’s fun to see everyone enjoying their firm favourites and discovering new artists.

The day’s first stop was The Vaults stage to see local singer/songwriter Ian Jamieson, who played 30 minutes of beautifully crafted acoustic songs. Being one of the first acts of the day might be a little daunting for some, but Ian had the room engaged and mesmerised by his performance.

I hopped over to The One-Eyed Dog to see local duo, Common Tongue, a band that I have heard a lot about recently and I’m so glad I did. Opening their set with a gritty guitar riff, followed by the entrance of the crashing drums, they drive the energy to 100 from the first chord; you can see how Royal Blood and Muse have influenced their music.

I then made my way back along Albert Road, past the packed-out locations and on to the Wedgewood Rooms. I wasn’t familiar with the bands due to play, but I was a fan after! Bristol alt-indie quartet Adult Leisure were on fire, and their set was fantastic from start to finish! Neil’s voice is sincere and emotional but with the juxtaposition of upbeat melodies and an epic 80’s bass line throughout many of their songs. This band really stands out for so many reasons. Their songwriting is fantastic, and people love their lyrics because they often reflect on personal experiences and emotions.

Casino Club was up next and continued to keep the energy levels high with their performance. The band’s combined skill is enhanced by the gravelly vocals, powerful drumbeats, tremendous bass lines, and intense guitar riffs backed up by some impressive guitar solos. At one point, Alex starts effortlessly playing his guitar behind his head and finishes on his knees without so much as breaking a sweat. If you’re a Catfish and the Bottlemen or The K’s fan, you’ll love these guys.

Back to the Vaults to see another local singer/songwriter, Joe Johnson, perform some beautifully crafted acoustic songs that cover some personal topics and really capture the crowd. He also had them all singing back to him at one stage, which was fun to experience. One of my favourite songs, ‘Brighton’, is based on when he and a friend were busking in Brighton and was written on the way back on the train home.

One of the last acts I managed to catch were ‘Twin Skeletons’ who I’d heard were a band not to miss! Squeezing myself to the front of the already packed Edge of the Wedge, it was obvious that a lot of other people had heard the same!

The whole set was phenomenal and the four piece are undeniably talented. While Phoebe’s captivating vocals undeniably shine, the remarkable synergy and dedication of the entire band are equally evident, creating a powerful and dynamic sound that resonates throughout their music.

I’m already excited for next year and to see who will be on the line up as well as hoping a few bands will return on bigger stages, roll on 2026. Thanks again to Mike and Lizzi for accommodating me, as well as the whole Icebreaker team, who made the whole event a joy to attend and another success!

                                 Photos and Words by Hannah Kenyon

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