RESISTANZ FESTIVAL
Sheffield Corporation
2 + 3 MARCH 2011

Putting a gig on is a gamble, let alone a festival and especially when it comes to the UK's notoriously apathetic response to the live gothic/industrial scene. Yet hot off the heels of last year's debut DV8 festival comes Resistanz with a truly international agenda.

Saturday:

First onto the stage on Saturday is the US duo GOTHSCICLES [7] who's brand of fun and frantic hard-electro istantly pulls bodies towards the stage. Their unabashed geekery and musical style is reminiscent somewhat of Mindless Self Indulgence. However with songs like 'Sega Lugosi's Dead' they've firmly entrenched themselves with the wider goth scene. Joined by Matt Fanale of Caustic fame, they set the standard for incestuous stage invasions throughout the rest of the festival.

Next up comes twelve-year-veterans C/A/T [7] aka Chaos And Terror, featuring Crunch Pod head Ben Arp, whose strong beats and intelligent melodies produce an incredibly infectious and hypnotic sound. They pull off their set with a restrained poise that lets the music do the talking. The crowd laps it up eagerly proving that, despite having their "final show" last year, C/A/T is still very much alive.

Sheffield's own UBERBYTE [8] invade the stage next. The marching band of the People's Republic of South Yorkshire have come a long way over the past couple of years. Their stomping brand of industrial is an instant crowd pleaser from the opening bars of 'Stand Up For Uberbyte' through to the chaotic stage invasion that closes the set. The hometown band successfully up the energy as well as the expectations for what may come.

Italians XP8 [8] have chosen Resistanz to mark their ten-year anniversary. Infamous for their high adrenalin ebm sound and energetic live show, the duo treat the audience to a hit-laden set delivered at a dizzying pace. The tightly packed crowd undulates to the beats as they pour from the band's iBooks. In 45 minutes XP8 not only prove why they're an internationally renowned musical act, but also how energetic two guys with a couple of laptops can be on stage.

Manchester's own MODULATE [7] follow next and despite suffering from some technical difficulties they still manage to pull off a memorable set. The trio's commitment to playing their songs as live as possible has the drawback of keeping them glued to their instruments. However the band compensates with some special guests in the form of a Full Metal Jacket style drill sergeant for 'Skullfuck', a maniacal dancing "Droog", and finally the band's very own tinfoil "Roboto-chan" to close the set.

FADERHEAD [8], and more specifically mastermind Sami, exemplifies that rock 'n' roll cock and swagger that you can't help but admire considering their status in the scene today. Faderhead step up and deliver what the crowd wants... Club hit after club hit. 'Dirtygrrrls|Dirtybois', 'Tzou' and 'Distroy Improve Rebuild' are ferociously consumed by the audience. Though for a someone who wasn't going to talk much during the set due to time constraints, Sami doesn't half talk!

A long wait then ensues as SUICIDE COMMANDO [9] let the tension build before making their way onto the stage. The reaction from the crowd is immediate and thunderous as the band launch into twenty years worth of Johan Van Roy's hard work. Hits like 'Bind, Torture and Kill', 'Die Motherfucker Die', 'Hellraiser', 'God Is In The Rain' and 'See You in Hell' shake the Corporation with hard beats and stomping feet. The band skulk off stage with the audience pleading for "one more song" which is duly delivered two fold by the band.

Sunday:

Sunday's opening act is the rescheduled EISENFUNK [7] who, despite this last minute change around, hunker down for an intense performance. The Germans are on form as the crowd slowly begins to build up around the stage. By the time they reach the ludicrously brilliant 'Pong', the club is once again packed. They leave the stage victorious in the knowledge that they have won the award for most computer game references in a single performance.

DEVIANT UK [8] are on fire as they continue their climb towards the top of the UK alternative scene with a blistering performance. New single 'Wreckhead' gets a particularly loud pop of approval from the audience. The band's stage presence is captivating and when coupled with two albums worth of infectious industrial rock, it is easy to see why they are quickly becoming established as a major European act.

The re-scheduled [X]-RX [6] return to the laptop-duo format for a set that experiences a few technical difficulties on top of a long set-up time. Taking their cues as much from The Prodigy as Cabaret Voltaire, their industrial-rave formula goes down well with the audience. But performance-wise it's a mixed bag. Aside from the occasional jumping and posturing when taking vocal duties, [X]-RX have the air of two DJs while on stage with their laptops. The set, despite a couple of computer crashes, is full of strong tracks, yet they feel a little light.

SAM [6] suffer from essentially the same problem as [X]-RX, but are even more stripped down in presentation. Minimal vocal commitments mean that this duo are again stuck to their laptops aside from the brief moments when they're free to throw themselves around the stage for a moment or two. They have a lot of energy and the fast, hard and dirty music they play is loved by the audience, but even the re-appearance of Faderhead's Sami for a rendition of the club hit 'Bull Fucking Shit' can't gloss over the lack of real performance.

Thankfully CAUSTIC [9] return some big band dynamics to the proceedings. Matt Fanale's "Jizzcore" quartet is barely contained by the Corporation's stage as the band's heavy metal attitude sweeps the stand-offish atmosphere of the previous bands away, much to the approval of the assembled masses. The band is joined by a surprise guest in the form of Phil Barry [Cubanate/Be My Enemy] on guitar for the final few songs in the set before leaving the stage covered in bloody tampons.

COVENANT [8] wind things back a little with some reverential synthpop that gets off to a bit of a slow start. The band's technical problems throw them a little at a couple of points, but their experience keeps them in control. By the time the trio are up to the likes of the classic anthem 'Ritual Noise' and new single 'Lightbringer', they're not missing a beat. The band's poise and delivery is spotless and their attitude toward the crowd humble, which is returned with rapturous applause as they exit the stage.

The closing act, Germany's own synth legends AND ONE [9] immediately turn up the campness to eleven. Front man Steve Naghavi's energy and playfulness clicks with the crowd as the band proceeds rip through huge back catalogue of sing-a-long synthpop. Everyone in the audience looks to be either dancing or singing throughout hits like 'Military Fashion show', 'Sometimes' and 'Traumfrau'. The performance feels more like a party with the band visibly enjoying every moment of it. By the time the band takes their leave and the PA returns to its pre-set mix it is safe to say that And One were the icing on the cake.

As the DJs start things up for the after party it is obvious to all present that Resistanz is a gamble that has paid off and become another date on the calendar to look forward too.