Live Review: Desertfest London 2024: A Thunderous Triumph in Camden Town

Desertfest London has been an iconic fixture in Camden Town since its inception in 2012. Initially hosted at The Underworld, The Black Heart, and The Purple Turtle, the festival has grown exponentially over the past decade. The 2024 edition was a testament to its enduring appeal, now sprawling across Camden’s most revered venues, including The Roundhouse, The Electric Ballroom, Dingwalls, The Dev, and more.

Friday marked the festival’s opening, and as metalheads grabbed their first pints, the anticipation was palpable. Frankie & The Witch Fingers set the tone at the Electric Ballroom with a mesmerizing performance. The sunny weather complemented our journey from venue to venue, where we caught stellar acts like Orsak:Oslo and Raging Speedhorn. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly Masters Of Reality, whose mind-bending set at the Electric Ballroom left the crowd in awe.

Day two kicked off with a bang as Pest Control opened The Roundhouse, delivering heavy riffs that set the stage for a day of relentless energy. Acid King brought their signature doom to Camden, overcoming technical difficulties with aplomb. Sunnata devoured The Underworld, and Bongripper’s hour-long, three-song set was a masterclass in doom metal. Earth Tongue dominated The Black Heart, while Cancer Bats ramped up the tempo at The Roundhouse with a raucous cover of ‘Sabotage.’ The day culminated with Suicidal Tendencies, whose thrashy set turned Camden into a sea of mosh pits and crowd surfers.

Despite some lingering hangovers, Sunday’s spirit was unbroken. Ashenspire kicked off the day at the Electric Ballroom with an intense set, followed by the energetic Midwich Cuckoos at The Dev. Waxy continued the momentum, and Kulk’s blistering performance at Dingwalls was a standout. Back at The Black Heart, Darsombra’s captivating set was a prelude to the almighty Godflesh, who closed out the day with a crushing performance at the Electric Ballroom. The afterparty, headlined by Bat Sabbath, was the perfect end to a fantastic festival.

Desertfest London 2024 was an absolute blast, offering a diverse line-up that showcased the finest acts in the alternative music scene. It was the perfect way to kickstart the festival season, leaving fans eager for what next year will bring.