REVIEW: Fest Shalom 2024
Lakes by Schuyler Aldridge
After a strong decade of putting records out, Beth Shalom Records - formed by Joe Booley and based in London - has concluded its final chapter. Fest Shalom 2024 stands as the end of the label, serving as a celebration and farewell. Long-time friends, fans, and label artists gathered on 9th November at Oslo in Hackney for the annual festival, the night even included a rare and heartfelt set from Joe Booley himself! Just like in 2023, Oslo was an ideal spot to host Fest Shalom, a cosy, warmly lit, inviting bar settled in the heart of Hackney Central, complete with an intimate live music stage. Above the bar also lay a spacious 400-capacity hall, equipped with a full live music setup.
As someone who would count Oslo among my list of favourite live music venues, I was over the moon to be returning. I’d been there previously to see Soft Launch, so I knew the atmosphere of the venue would perfectly complement Fest Shalom’s community-focused vibe. Oslo’s unique setup can provide both a sense of lively openness for the bands to play on the main stage and a place to take a step back and breathe in the intimate bar stage. Oslo felt like the right venue for a goodbye; given that Fest Shalom 2023 was also hosted in Oslo, it felt as if everybody was reuniting once more to honour the label’s impact on their lives.
I also experienced something I wasn’t anticipating at Fest Shalom, the atmosphere that set it apart from other events I’ve been to. While there was the usual excitement and appreciation for the bands playing, there was also a strong sense of connection and care among not only the audience but artists and organisers too. Everybody seemed happy to be there! The bands came off and on stage to watch each other play and mingled with fans, and you could feel the deep sense of respect and appreciation for one another. I also had the opportunity to chat with Joe Booley and Estie Joy - the ones running the event - upon arriving, where I was greeted by Joe, introduced to Estie, and made to feel welcomed and comfortable. They are both wonderful people!
incaseyouleave
Arriving not long after the doors opened, I headed straight upstairs, eager to see the first band, incaseyouleave. Being the opening act, the crowd was still sparse, but that didn’t dampen the energy in the room. From the first to the last note, incaseyouleave filled the room with their powerful punk-screamo sound led by Aaron Akeredolu’s brilliant vocals.
The band had some great chemistry, with Cat Rowland and Ryan Wheeler playing the guitar, while Chin Pong (Bon) Tang held it down on bass, and Louis Macfarlane brought it all together with his drumming. incaseyouleave’s loud and fierce shouty sound was perfect for swiftly warming up the crowd, and by the end of their set, the crowd had grown and was ready for what the rest of the day would bring.
Joe Booley
As soon as incaseyouleave wrapped up their set, I made my way downstairs barely in time for Joe Booley’s intimate set on the bar stage. The atmosphere was a dramatic shift from the raw energy upstairs. Joe’s setup was simple, with just him and a guitar. The crowd gathered close around the bar, some sitting on chairs and sofas while others sat cross-legged on the ground.
It had been nearly over half a decade since Joe last performed under his own name, as he “grew incredibly disconnected from his musical output and performing by himself,” but he explained that it felt right to return to the stage for this special send-off to his label. After each song, Joe was met with heartfelt cheers from the crowd, who were all moved by not only his performance but his dedication to the whole community and the label he’d worked on for a decade.
Really Big Really Clever
Next up was a band I’d been particularly looking forward to, Really Big Really Clever from Brighton. I’d listened to a few of their tracks beforehand, but seeing them live was a whole other experience. They came onto the stage with their high-energy and fast-paced garage rock sound that made you want to immediately move and jump along. By this point, the crowd had grown significantly, and you could see the growing enjoyment within them. They played a selection of songs, some from their self-titled album released under Beth Shalom Records. Each track they performed live was accompanied by raw, exhilarating energy. They were an excellent addition to the day’s lineup.
Gordian Stimm
Back downstairs at the bar stage, Gordian Stimm took to the stage, bringing a darker and more introspective vibe that shifted the energy of the festival. Their personal and moody sound was a refreshing change of pace from the high-energy packed sets happening upstairs, giving the crowd a chance to catch their breath and take a deeper dive into the music.
Muttering
Muttering was next upstairs on the main stage, bringing a powerful energy which filled the room. Their heavier sound packed a punch, but it was the vocals which I found exceptionally notable, perfectly matched by the intense drumming that drove the set forward. Having never heard of Muttering before, I was pleasantly surprised by their stage presence and live sound. Their confident personalities made a lasting impression.
Annabel Allum
Closing out the bar stage at 5 pm was Annabel Allum. A well-seasoned live performer, currently the main opener for Tom Meighan’s 2024 tour, she brought something special to Fest Shalom. Known for her pleasant indie rock sound, Annabel stripped things back to achieve a more intimate set, performing with just guitar and vocals. The audience gathered around like they were witnessing something rare and personal. Her performance was captivating and truly a perfect act to close the bar stage; she’s a must-see act.
Pollyanna
Pollyanna set the tone for the rest of the night upstairs with a fresh twist on her usual solo style. Known for her unique guitar and vocal work as a singer-songwriter, she said this was the first time she performed with her full band, being accompanied by a drummer and a bassist. Their sweet yet punchy sound quickly drew the crowd both upstairs and downstairs to the main stage, captivating everybody in the room. The strong chemistry they showed among them was undeniable - Pollyanna mentioned they were all co-workers, which must’ve added to their easy and playful dynamic. Watching them exchange smiles and glances throughout the set from the crowd showed how much of a genuinely good time they were having together on stage.
Buds.
One of the night’s most electrifying and unexpected performances came from Buds. Right from the start and throughout their set, they encouraged the crowd to get moving, attempting to spark the first mosh pit of the evening while they ripped through a set of hardcore punk tracks. Having released a debut album half a decade ago, Buds. showed they knew what they were doing. Their intense stage presence was exceptionally clear in the guitarist, who delivered some standout moments, including a point where he leapt into the crowd mid-song, shredding away from within the crowd of fans. It was a raw, thrilling moment which amped up the audience significantly and erased any boundary between the crowd and the stage. As they began to wrap up their set, I was left in awe, not anticipating anything quite like what I witnessed.
Lakes
As the evening wore on, co-headliners Lakes took the stage, filling the room with their emotive indie-emo sound and adding a rich layer of depth to the festival’s atmosphere. Known for their moving performances, Lakes perfectly captured the sense of community and nostalgia that defined Fest Shalom, making their set one of the day's highlights.
Overall, Fest Shalom was an incredible experience - not just because of the music but also because of the sense of community that made the entire day feel welcoming and laid-back. Joe and Estie did a wonderful job organising everything, with each aspect of the event running smoothly throughout the day. The lineup was brilliantly curated and showcased a diverse range of bands that kept the energy fresh and dynamic, so you could never get bored. Although I unfortunately, missed indie-emo-punkers itoldyouiwouldeatyou, the day still felt complete, yet I couldn’t help but feel a bittersweet sense of finality as Beth Shalom’s journey as a label came to an end. It’s hard to imagine it no longer existing—it brought together incredible music and built such a wonderful community.
