Review of Rockaway Beach: Shockingly unconventional and intriguingly macabre
ump over, those who are only doing dry January — some people see New Year’s Eve as just the warm-up. Soft Play’s Isaac Holman addressed the crowd at Bognor Regis Butlin’s, already on pint number five, with a cheeky question: “Who’s still going after the new year, then? You’re animals.” The audience was definitely in for a wild night.
Soft Play took the stage as the headliner for the opening night of Rockaway Beach, an indie rock weekend celebration at the start of the year. The duo from Kent unleashed a storm of aggressive howling and punk noise, almost as if they were trying to fast-forward to 2027 by the end of their set. Holman, on drums and vocals, brought an energy akin to a pumped-up Duracell bunny, while guitarist Laurie Vincent pranced around like a crazed metal creature. Their performance transformed tracks like “F*** the Hi-Hat” into a frantic Ramones-meets-chaos situation, “Sockets” felt like Britpop under assault, and their tribute to John Wick felt like being swarmed by knife-wielding maniacs. The vibe was intense and exhilarating, but also slightly overwhelming.
Heading into the weekend’s other acts, the lineup was a mixed bag. Despite a few sluggish new tracks, Idlewild proved why they are considered the Scottish equivalent of REM. Antony Szmierek, a gritty pop poet from Manchester, lived up to some of the buzz surrounding him by embodying a remixed version of the Streets with a touch of stardust. Dry Cleaning’s monotonous post-punk felt like watching a dishwasher cycle, while the Moonlandingz, a project featuring Lias Saoudi of Fat White Family with loo rolls taped to his chest, delivered a captivatingly gruesome performance. Their music was reminiscent of the Velvet Underground going through labor pains, accompanied by their own twisted version of Nico, exploring topics ranging from lurid Thai exploits to Islamic fundamentalism.
On Saturday, PiL took the stage and completely stole the show with their raw post-punk energy and deviant disco vibes. John Lydon, with his signature yapping, swearing, and operatic warbling, commanded the stage like a mobster version of Pavarotti. Amidst his quirky antics like nose-emptying and unconventional toasts, Lydon led PiL through a set that ranged from Armageddon disco to euphoric melodic sweeps, connecting with the crowd on hits like “Rise” and “This Is Not a Love Song.” The audience found their leader in Lydon, following him through a musical journey that felt both nostalgic and refreshing.
Among the newer talents at the festival, Ellis D from Brighton brought a feverish New York new wave vibe, Coach Party from the Isle of Wight infused bubble-grunge into the mix, and Adult DVD from Leeds reimagined the Fall with a hint of gang mentality. Sunday night saw English Teacher, a rising band from Leeds, elevating to headline status with just one album under their belt. Their music embodied the eclectic tastes of Gen-Z listeners, blending post-punk, new wave, jazz rock, and poignant piano ballads with spoken word segments by singer Lily Fontaine. Their engaging performance, featuring experimental tracks like “Toothpick,” provided a glimpse into the future of rock music in 2026.
In conclusion, Rockaway Beach offered a diverse showcase of indie talent, from established acts like PiL to up-and-coming bands like English Teacher, creating a dynamic atmosphere filled with energy, creativity, and a touch of punk nastiness that left audiences buzzing for more.