Dragon Fire – Hordes X
!!! BUY HORDES X FEST TICKETS HERE !!!
A festival doesn’t run on bands alone.
There’s a whole lot of graft, noise and questionable sleep happening around the edges too — and that’s where some of the best Hordes stories live. For our second look at Hordes X, we’re stepping further away from the stage to hear from the people who experience the festival in very different ways: someone who’s spent years on the other side of the merch table, a veteran radio DJ with deep roots in the alternative scene, and a first-time visitor making the journey from overseas. Three routes to Hordes, one shared love of loud music, good people and a festival that clearly knows how to make an impression.
Merch Goblin (aka a volunteer we couldn’t do without)
Josh Sherwood, Angus
You’ve spent many Hordes X’s behind the merch stall – what have you come to love most about seeing the festival from that side of things?
Not having to pay for my ticket? Nah, in all honesty it’s kind of hard to say as so many of the things you’d expect, like “getting to interact with the bands” happen on the other side of the table as well. Set up is always good fun, big game of co-operative Jenga trying to get everything on display…having a guaranteed place to sit is pretty great.
After all these years, is there a particular moment, encounter or bit of merch chaos from behind the stall that has stuck with you?
I mean, the obvious answer is the “Merch Goblin” incident, since that name has stuck (official job title at the event by the way).
Was crouched down behind the table for a while since we were short on seats and had merch down there anyway and someone on the team said I looked like a goblin. Someone wrote “Merch Goblin” on a post-it note and stuck it to my forehead just before a band finished and I ended up serving 2 groups with it just stuck there. Think I still have that post-it somewhere.
So yeah, that one stuck, I guess quite literally given the post-it, with me, even got the nickname studded into my battle jacket.
For someone who’s never been to Hordes X before, what would you say makes the festival worth showing up for – beyond the bands themselves?
It kinda feels like a bit of a cop-out, but I’d say the atmosphere. I’ve been to a fair few festivals and its the only one that has that very community feel- maybe it’s just all the bands hanging around in the mix, or the fact everyone is so friendly, but I can’t think of another festival where I’d get a bunch of the crowd helping to look for a dropped patch between sets.
Complete this sentence: Hordes X wouldn’t be Hordes X without…
The morning after neck-ache……or a band not bringing a merch list
The Veteran Horder & DJ Extraordinaire
You’ve been to Hordes X more times than most – what is it about the festival that keeps pulling you back?
That is the easiest of these questions; it is always a great show. I think I have only missed a couple, which will have been down to work and family commitments. The lineup always has a great selection of bands. There is no safe formulaic approach that is probably the detriment of some other events. There is something for every metal fan and the time and effort of the planning and curation really counts. Keep at it!
Looking back over the years, is there one performance that still stands out as your favourite Hordes X memory?
I have been keeping a close eye on the metal underground for many years now, but I love the mix Hordes bands, giving a well-crafted mix of the familiar and unfamiliar across various styles. Back in 2010, I discovered Diascorium and was utterly blown away. I found the even t-shirt the other day! That characterises the event; there is always something brilliant to discover amongst the bands you already knew.
Now that this year’s full lineup has been announced, who are you most excited to see, and is there anyone you think a newbie absolutely shouldn’t miss?
That is a really difficult one; it is a really well crafted lineup, as always. Mentioned one act is impossible, there is some real talent on the bill, so here are the first three that come to mind.
Ramage Inc. are quite possibly the best band in Scotland, still. I am always in awe, but they make it look SO easy as well. They are an absolute pleasure to watch whenever I can get to see them.
Cnoc An Tursa are, in my opinion, at the pinnacle of making extreme metal SCOTTISH. Again, they are consistently incredible live, and it is great to have them back with their new album. Again, top lads.
Then we have this year’s Bloodstock M2TM winners, Chekhov’s Gun. They were really ready to take that spot this year and their currently live show is as captivating visually as sonically. Their performance will pique the interest of many.
Complete this sentence: Hordes X wouldn’t be Hordes without…
Hordes X wouldn’t be Hordes without catching up with old friends, making new friends, seeing the best that Scotland has to offer and discovering new favourites. The location is really convenient; the bars are well-stocked and reasonable. It would be rude to not return home without some new records, and merch! There is so much work that goes into making this brilliant, year on year, with a real focus on detail.
Alex Figures, Perth
(Photo Credit – Criss McMillan)
International Band Manager
Nick Grima, Malta
You’re coming to Hordes X from outside the local scene — what first put the festival on your radar, and what made you decide you had to make the trip?
I had heard about Hordes X for quite some time and had always wanted to experience the festival for myself. Its long-standing reputation within the Scottish metal scene definitely caught my attention.
I have also never visited Scotland before, so this felt like the perfect opportunity to combine the festival with my first visit to the country. What makes this edition even more special for me is that, for the first time, a Maltese band — SAHHAR — will be performing at Hordes X. That gave me another very good reason to make the trip.
As someone experiencing Hordes X for the first time, what are you most curious or excited to discover about the festival and its community?
Three things in particular: the bands, the people and the location.
First and foremost, I am looking forward to discovering and watching bands that I may not normally get the opportunity to see. Festivals are always a great place to discover new music and new talent.
Secondly, I am very interested in experiencing the atmosphere of the local metal community. Every country and every scene has its own character, and that is something I always enjoy discovering.
Finally, I am looking forward to experiencing the venue itself and seeing how all those elements come together to create the identity of Hordes X.
You’ve travelled to experience Hordes X — what would you say to other metalheads who might be looking at the festival from further afield and wondering whether it’s worth the journey?
For me, travelling for metal is always worth it. Not only for Hordes X, but for festivals around the world.
You get the opportunity to discover new bands, meet people from different scenes, experience another country and become part of a community that goes far beyond borders. Some of the best experiences and connections in metal happen because you decide to make that journey.
So if Hordes X is on your radar and you are thinking about travelling for it, I would say: make the trip and experience it for yourself.
Complete this sentence: Hordes X wouldn’t be Hordes X without…
…the bands, the people and, of course, a cold beer!
