By Ruby Atkinson, Third Year Physics MSci
With previous years having showcased bands including Kid Kapichi, openers for Liam Gallagher, active punk hip hop duo and glasto alumni Bob Vylan, and riotous Bristol favourites Knives, the 5 th birthday of the festival promised to live up to the impressive legacy set for it by its own precedent incarnations.
Organised and led by Marcus Osborne, founder of the festival and its namesake events company and artist agency, Attitude proved to be a worthwhile way to spend my Saturday - after almost nine hours of music, the crowd still seemed desperate for more. With a lineup of fifteen incredible acts, I feel the best way to convey the variety and talent of the day is a band-by-band analysis of everything that went down.
Death Roll
Bringing the noise to the opening act to set the tone for the day were Death Roll, a hardcore band from the Southwest. With classic crunchy guitar and an impressive drum performance, any ideas of a calm, steady start to the day were rightly quashed.
The crowd were moving within minutes as the main stage room filled, proving to the punters of the sold-out festival why you should always catch the early acts. Energy high and vocals loud, this was the perfect band to start out this festival.
Lacross Club
(Sorta) local lads Lacross Club opened the newly refurbished basement stage of Exchange, with the festival alternating bands across the two floors. Lacross Club are a Welsh punk band now based in Bristol, and although you won’t be short on opportunities to catch them live, they are a band you should take great pains not to miss.
Sharp riffs and aggressive bass backed by crashing drums define their sound, and alongside lead singer Cai’s endless energy and signature ‘no shirt no trousers’ look, they were certainly memorable – even famous faces Elmo and Cookie Monster were spotted throwing elbows in the pit.
Eton Mess
Eton Mess, another Southwest punk group championed by Attitude, combined a smooth, echoing guitar and deep bass to soundtrack the punchy delivery of the lead singer. Blending rap and punk vocals, Eton Mess may have had a mellower sound than the first two artists, but this didn’t bring down the energy of their performance – they presented a polished and powerful sound, catchy and thumping.
Dead Stilettos
I hadn’t heard Dead Stilettos before this festival, and that had clearly been a significant oversight on my part. Swagger was the word that came to mind upon seeing them. With an air of Viagra Boys in their stance and in their sound, the vocals were cutting and the buzzing guitar had the room dancing. Dead Stilettos also completed arguably the flashiest stunt of the night: the dim red stage lights outshone by a fountain sparkler, lit in the bassists mouth.
Pizzatramp
How long should a song last? This is a question that surprise special guests Pizzatramp not only ignore, but likely laugh at. Main stage were kept thoroughly entertained by anecdotes of the death of Dimebag Darrell, political commentary, raves against rising ticket prices, and a run of 3 second songs to illuminate everything the band believed to be ‘f****** s***’.
Swarming guitar provided a backing for often thought-provoking lyrics. ‘Millions of dead goths’ brought attention to the real dangers of climate change for the alt community, and after further discussion of Jeremy Clarkson’s cheeks and Nigel Farage’s testicles, this surprise set had very sadly come to a close.
Honeybadger
Hailing from Brighton, Honeybadger had travelled some distance to join the lineup this year, and it was a treat that they had made the journey. Whining guitar led into headbanging rhythm, complemented by the flowing locks of the band members. Their grungey alt noise rock sound reflected the heart of the festival and the basement stage was packed out.
With numerous accolades including appearances on BBC Introducing, and with new releases on their way, it was clear to see how Honeybadger made their way onto Rolling Stone UK’s 10 to watch in 2026.
Ramona Marx
I was tipped by a friend that Ramona Marx were ones to watch, having supported headliners Snayx in September. The in-your-face hardcore sound from Hemel Hempstead proved their place amongst established bands like these, and the support from the audience was still louder than their brawly singer, giving a fierce front to the solid, snarly guitar. They were backed by one of the most impressive drummers of the night, moving at speeds not seen in some of the most accomplished punk outfits.
Toast
Toast claimed they had been previously told to leave by crowds they played to, but after their set I struggled to see why. The lead vocals were bluesy and strong, a fit harmony to the twanging guitar. Calls to action were received enthusiastically by their audience, and their lyrics broadcast well their political declamations. Toast were also the first band where I saw not a mid-set outfit change, but a complete change in hair style and colour – an impressive band to witness.
Be N!ce
The heavy, fuzzy guitar and growling vocals of Be N!ce held a rousing sonic wall, mixing sounds of metal, hardcore and punk into a snappy modern noise, all under the watchful, critical gaze of the expressive lead singer. A fiery band, their lyrics were much the same, speaking on topics of assault, the abolition of landlords, and the desire to have an early bedtime when everyone wants you to go out but you’re just so sleepy.
Bones Ate Arfa
Bones Ate Arfa brought headbanging riffs and a psychedelic edge to their punk sound, yet another Brighton band on the lineup displaying the best of their scene. Members Bones, 8 and Arfa put authenticity into their performance, and their mixture of sounds left them as one of the most memorable of the day. They also sparked some incredibly well coordinated headbanging from the basement stage crowd.
congratulations
‘For fans of Wet Leg, St Vincent, Turbowolf, King Gizzard, ABBA (yeah seriously, all of those)’. That was the opinion of the festival organisers on congratulations, and having followed this band for some time now, I can say they are all that and more. If energy is the gauge of a good show, congratulations excelled. An expressive band, they began with the rocking ‘Get 2 Me’ and never slowed down.
Danceable, synth-y and altogether enchanting they were playing in my head for hours after I had left. Style, charisma, the ability to fight off large inflatable tigers, it was no surprise the room didn’t stop moving for a moment.
Murderers Are Optimists
A fast-running rhythm matched by speeding drums made the Murderers Are Optimists set an immediate success. The basement stage was full just seconds after they began, and this reception was warranted as they showed why they have had comparisons drawn to 2025 headliners Snayx and 2022 headliners Kid Kapichi, who they are soon joining on tour. The crowd may have been tiring out but you wouldn’t know it – dancing, headbanging and singing endured.
Soapbox
‘Have no fear, the Scots are here!’ It was excitement, rather than fear, that seemed present amongst the filled main stage for Soapbox’s gig, a highly anticipated and highly rewarding punk band from Glasgow. It has been clear that energy was not something lacking this festival, however Soapbox were an embodiment of it.
Many drinks donated to the floor throughout the set made the mosh feel like something of an ice rink, but that didn’t deter the liveliest crowd of the day from running, jumping, and crowd surfing their way through Soapbox’s snappy lyrics, punchy sound and familiar sentiments. Even the mascot of the festival joined in the fun, in the form of a large tiger costume. ‘Private Public Transport Sucks’ certainly stuck with me as I waited for my 15 minute delayed bus heading home for the night.
Loose Articles
Loose Articles had style. Their swinging rhythms fit well with their neon clothes, and catchy tunes about unpaid internships and friends trying to sell you Bitcoin fed into the feeling that they were enjoying the songs just as much as you.
Excitingly for a band with a song titled ‘Are You A Welder?’, there were also two welders in attendance, however the highlight certainly came with the limbo competition, displaying the surprising core strength of the Southwest’s punk scene.
Snayx
Snayx were the headliners of the 5th anniversary Attitude festival, and the crowd were ready from the start. With a buzzing lead bass line, and surly vocals, these were a band to stay for. Further moshing and crowd surfing commenced immediately, and never stopped until the conclusion of the festival. Snayx, another Brighton band, got their ‘big break’ as a two-piece, supporting Kid Kapichi in 2019, with their ferocious drummer joining them later on, heightening their live sound. Their set was highly anticipated and delivered all it was set out to, delighting the Attitude festival crowd, and ended the night on a riotous high.
Attitude festival 2025 was an incredible success, and I hope it may continue as one of the best ways to discover the newest talent in the punk and hardcore scene across the Southwest and more.
Where to catch these bands nearby in the next few months:
Death Roll – Newport Thronkfest – Feb 7th 2026
Lacross Club – Shredenhams Halloween Shredfest (Bristol) – Nov 1st
Eton Mess – Glastonbury Rock Against Cancer – Oct 18th
Toast – Cheltenham supporting Black Sabbitch – Nov 8th
Bones Ate Arfa – Exchange Basement (Bristol) supporting Dead Air – Oct 20th
Congratulations – The Croft (Bristol) – March 7th 2026
Snayx – Swansea supporting Skindred – Oct 18th
Who did you catch at Attitude Festival?
