Empire

Takedown Festival now in its 3rd year has grown with serious momentum, previous bands have moved up the line up as of this year as they’ve gone from strength to strength and this year is no exception, in the heart of Southampton University today (7/3/15) see’s some of the finest talent from goth rock, punk, hardcore and straight up alt rock.

First up on the main stage is Zoax, poised with a lacking crowd and having that difficult challenge of being the first band of the day front man Adam Carroll took no prisoners with moments only spent on the stage before joining the crowd, it’s safe to say he made a lasting impression on the people who were there to experience them. 

Adam Carroll – Zoax

EMP!RE are up next which fall a bit short, it’s not that they are a bad band but it all feels like a rehashed version of Skin Dread, that being said they are a good band, within a few more years they will hit their stride and settle into a sound of their own.

Dave McPherson – INME

When you consider some of the songs from INME’s debut album Overgrown Eden haven't been played for nearly ten years it seems like a daring feat to bring such a set to a festival crowd, however these songs still sound as fresh as they did all those years ago, Dave McPherson’s vocals matured and made for one of the stand out moments from the whole event.

Rolo Tomassi hit the stage like a punch to the gut, front woman Eva Spence bounds across the stage like a pocket rocket, with a growl to match, it is clear to see that they are in a league of their own tonight and that certainly isn't a bad thing.

The Blackout’s set has to be met with an air of sadness, tonight not only see’s the guys play their last South Coast show but their last festival slot too, tonight like every time The Blackout play boasts a band who not only put everything they’ve got into a set but love every minute of it, it is also a full circle as they playedon one of their first tours with Charlie Simpson (FightStar) and are ending things playing along side him tonight.

Charlie Simpson a far cry from his Busted days or FightStar projects Charlie’s solo stuff is more tinged with a country vibe, this unfortunately falls short after such a electric line up which isn't the shift in momentum that was to be expected this close to the headline slot. 

Tonights Headliners Mallory Knox cut their festival teeth at Takedown 2012, so this festival holds a special place in the hearts of these guys, having just got back from their US tour with Pierce The Veil and Sleeping With Sirens jet lag certainly didn't stop them putting everything they had into closing the proceedings tonight, coming on to the boys are back in town, it is safe to say in light of their last album Asymmetry Mallory Knox have established themselves as one of the best of British in 2015. Whatever this year has in store for them it is clear that we will all be waiting with bated breath. 

Gavin Butler/Sean Smith – The Blackout

Over all Takedown has something for everyone, even the fashion conscious boasting several stalls including merch and clothing lines, food halls and plenty of bars across the whole of the stages to keep everyones thirst suitably quenched, It is an exciting time for Takedown as it has established itself well and truly as one of the best small festivals to showcase the vast talent we really have here in the alternative UK scene.