The Big Freeze, Battersea Power Station
The Automatic are able to gather a much larger crowd - they play an impressive set opening with 'Raoul'.
Set with a backdrop of the, perhaps iconic, Battersea Power Station, the London Freeze Festival comprises of a combination of snow sports and rock music within the post-industrial enclosure, laid to waste since the demise of the power station in 1983. Upon arrival you are confronted by a pair of dancing Yetis wearing brightly coloured hi-tops and brandishing wooden clubs - a strange greeting to say the least. At this point the, rather flimsy looking, 150ft slope becomes visible, towering over the rest of the festival. The structure is surrounded by bars and stalls in an attempt to create a mountain resort in the centre of London. This illusion was defiantly supported by the weather - although the sun is out and the majority of the crowd are wearing orange garland necklaces, it is bloody freezing.
Although occurring on a Friday, the event soon fills up with both ski and music enthusiasts from across the UK, who are welcomingly subjected to an exhibition of stunning athletic ability by all of the competitors throughout the afternoon. Music on the main stage kicks off with the Scottish four-piece Sergeant. Having recently announced they will be supporting Oasis on the Scottish leg of their autumn tour, it's worth leaving the excitement of the competition to see what all the fuss is about. The band attract a modest crowd, largely composed of middle-aged men and women and their young children dancing embarrassingly or merely swaying over the barrier at the front of the arena. Although their stage performance seems quite plain and rigid, the sound they create is impressive, and their hit 'K-OK' has the audience singing along.
Next up are Kentucky rockers Cage The Elephant. However, due to the beginning of the competition being delayed, the finals of the ski competition unfortunately occur at the same time as their set. This results in the crowds being drawn out of the tent to watch the finals. However, we catch a glimpse of singer Matt Shultz jumping into the appreciative audience.
After the prize-giving which saw PK Hunder from Sweden come away with the $10,000 prize, The Automatic are able to gather a much larger crowd. They play an impressive set opening with 'Raoul', with other highlights 'This Ship' and 'Monster'. They end with their last single 'Steve McQueen' - they did not fail to deliver entertainment.
Reverend And The Makers give a mediocre performance; after beginning with 'Heavyweight Champion Of The World', their set fizzles out. Meanwhile, over at the LG airbag challenge, kids from around the country throwing themselves over a jump onto an enormous bag full of air.
After a day of drinking, the tent is filled for headlining act The Enemy. Having spent a while off, they plays a most of the songs you would expect, plus giving us some new material off the follow-up to 'We'll Live And Die In These Towns'. The set receives a fantastic reception from the audience, notably for 'Away From Here' and 'Had Enough'.
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