Goodbye Ninjafest, Hello Running Riot fest.

Goodlife Summerfest 2002. Myself and Rach, and a boy called Jamie (aka Kemo) were discussing a festival that the other two were putting on, entitled Ninjafest, in November. I had been doing shows for a 2 years for Jon Vyner at the Underworld, so I offered my services, booked a couple of additional bands, and so it began.

The first Ninjafest was not great. It was masses of fun for everyone that was there, but Kemo had a lot to do with the line up and it wasnt as good as it could have been.

The following year, myself and Rach decided to do it ourselves without Kemo for several reasons. Kemo lived in Hull. We also ended up in masses of arguments with him over the fest the previous year. And as Rach had come up with the tongue in cheek name, we were entitled to keep it.

The next year was a totally different ball game. We took in submissions, and managed to put together an amazing line up.

"Book the bands and they will come".

One of the defining moments for Ninjafest for me was during the second fest. Stood on the Underworld "dancefloor", I was surrounded by kids losing their shit to Scandinavian band, "Damage Control". I looked up at Rach, who was stood on the balcony, and mouthed "what the fuck?" and grinned. She had the biggest smile on her face and all the stresses of the fest were forgotten.

We began doing shows DIY with Louise and then she was roped in for Ninjafest 5 (or was it 4? My memory is shot). We had a strong team.. and it worked well.. We all liked different styles of hardcore, we all had roles, and it came together like a dream even if i was running around like a headless chicken all stressed out.

Me and Rach always said that we had built up the name together, that all the work had been dont together and that if one of us were to leave, the name would go with them. During the 2007 meetings, both Rach and Louise decided that this would be their last (explainations will be at the bottom of this column.). We made sure it was the best yet, ending it with two of the best hardcore bands on the planet, Wisdom in Chains and Londons very own Knuckledust.

Ninjafest was the highlight of the year for me.

It meant that I would get to put on bands that I loved and wanted to see and it was awesome that everyone else wanted to see them too.

So i made the decision to continue. I would put on a fest myself, on the same weekend at the same venue with the same concept, just under a different name. Running Riot Fest was born.

"How are you going to do it alone?". I am not. I am dealing with all the booking but I have enough friends that have promised to help me out leading up to it and on the day.

Is it going to be hard, yes. I am honestly hoping that it will just continue from where Ninjafest left off. The same but different. Wish me luck.

Here are the two girls goodbyes:

"It's all over now. The end of an era, so everyone says. A big thanks to everyone who came to Ninjafest and had a ball. All the bands who played, all the people who bought tickets, and all the people who made the weekend so amazing. It was seriously alot of fun, and worth all the planning that comes with it. However all good things must come to and end, and this year was the perfect time to do so.

People have been asking why it was the last one, and why aren't we doing it again next year. Well, if you didn't already now, my heart isn't in it anymore and hasn't been for around a year. Hardcore is not as big a part of my life, and if I continued with it, it wouldn't seem right. That does not mean to say I am leaving it all in the past and turning my back on it, it means that from now on I will be doing what alot of people do in the "scene" and just enjoying it by turning up to shows. Watching or listening to bands like Knuckledust, Ninebar, Down and Outs and so forth will always be a part of my life. They have given me some of the best memories I will ever have.

It is time for other people to get off their arses and build something as good as Ninjafest for the next generation. fuck, if we could do it, anyone can!! See you then, yeh?" - Rach

"If you've read my live review of Gorilla Biscuits (below) you'll find I'm a ball of contradictions. On one hand you'll read about how that infamous NYHC band have reinstated my love for all things hardcore but on the other hand, here I am, lamenting my retirement from being the girl who took the phrase DIY Hardcore to the extreme.

Hardcore, as they say isn't a spectator sport. It's hard work. Whether you're simply paying the door fee, buying a fanzine or writing it and putting the gig on in some way you're contributing to keeping this underground movement alive. Hardcore is also more than the music. Anyone can start a band and ape Youth Of Today, Madball, Integrity but without being involved at a grassroots level it's not hardcore. To actually 'be' hardcore involves time, committment, passion and more often than not money and you love every drop of blood, sweat and tears you've contributed. Well that's my take anyway. Of course the ultimate description of hardcore is what you can only take from it. It means something different to everyone and that is what makes it so damn special and unique as a music-based movement.

And this, dear friends, is what it comes to. An ode to the last ever Ninjafest. An event that had it's trial and tribulations, but never regret.

Most of you have never heard of Ninjafest, an annual meeting of minds for the European hardcore family. It was started six years ago by my friends May and Rach and a few years later I joined the team. Our aim? To put on one hellava party to celebrate the bands and people that made contemporary hardcore so damn exciting. There are moments in it's history that make me shiver with intense nostalgia; Seconds Out opening in 2004 with their version of the Floorpunch intro, No Turning Back doing Alone In A Crowd, Deny Everything's debut, Six Foot Ditch rushing the stage, watching the whole room sing along to 'The Summer Of 69' with Down & Outs, Limp Wrist covers, Purified In Blood's inventive ways of sneaking in without paying, The Seventh Cross kicking ass, need I go on. Every year bought it's own new reasons to love being involved.

But it also bought it's stresses and trials, don't even talk to me about work permits, spiralling gueslists, tickets selling out and having to tell even my closest friends I couldn't sneak them in... Bands cancelling when I personally paid for their flights (ha ha, there's a problem I never want to relive). So it's right that we hand to baton onto the next generation. So a door might close foe Ninjafest but I'm pretty certain that somewhere, somehow a new group of people, as passionate about hardcore as we were, no still are, will keep the fire alive. So I just want to thank everyone for being involved from providing equipment, letting bands trash their front rooms, cooking mountains of pasta for ravenous musicians, printing out flyers in their offices when their bosses aren't looking. These are the things I'll miss. The outrageous ammounts of generosity given by the people within this little community we call DIY HC.

For those that have got a ticket for this weekend's end of an era please make it a good one. We dispensed with our strict three-year rule (no band can play more than 3 years in a row) to get back all the bands that gave us our golden moments; The Down & Outs, Knuckledust, Strength For A Reason, No Turning Back plus new bands we just think kickass and deserve to prove it such as True Colours, Rythmn To The Madness, Cold World, Colin Of Arabia, Risky Business. It's going to be a killer weekend but one, I'm sure that will see more its fair share of tears." - Louise

Ending Starts

Sweet baby Jesus! Praise The Lord! It's Christmas-time!

This time of year actually has no religious connotations for me in the slightest. However, I am keen on the presents bit (giving & receiving of course!) and the eating bit.

It is also a time to reflect on the year gone by, well it is for me anyway. I tend to reflect solo. If you start discussing these things with other people, you invariably get helpful comments such as "Gosh! Hasn't this year gone quickly?" in tones of genuine disbelief. Middle aged, female office workers are particularly fond of that one. Last time I checked, the year lasted approximately 365 days and that is exactly what you've been given, hag!

This year has been one of the best for me, in recent memory in terms of gigs. Forgive me, whilst I do a run down of some of the top gigs of 2007, as far as I am concerned. And forgive me for the distinct lack of hardcore content. You'll just have to make do.

-Genesis- Without a doubt... an expensive gig, but totally brilliant nonetheless. I have no time for these negative types who say they are nothing without Gabriel. YOU'RE nothing without Gabriel you idiots!! Turn It On Again, Land of Confusion, Invisible Touch- full on classic pop right there.

-Prince- Speaking of pop....this was my first trip to the O2 in London, and despite feeling a little brainwashed by the looping adverts for Prince merchandise (he clearly does have magic powers, to make a grown up even consider buying Prince perfume "just for a laugh".. I ask you..), and despite an evil bout of tonsilitus attempting to sabotage my night, I wouldnt have missed this for the world.

-Municipal Waste- I personally think this goes without saying. To be blunt, if you don't crack a smile at a Waste show, you're an idiot.

-High On Fire- I had the pleasure of seeing this band twice this year. They were ace the first time round, but the second time they were astounding. Sometimes I struggle to describe bands, find reference points etc. But High On Fire, to me don't require decribing, I honestly just think they are straight up, good time, rock and roll/metal. On a side note, I get the feeling I would lose to Matt Pike in a drinking contest...

-Jesus & Mary Chain- They were so good, they bought a tear to my eye and softened my brutal, brittle heart a little when they played Just Like Honey. They were so good, I have already got my tickets to see them next year.

Special mentions should also go to the reformed Cynic, who I caught live in June, The Police, who despite being made up of 90% ego and 10% music, still put on a top show, and Boredoms, who made my mind bend.

Next year is already shaping up to be a good un; I already have tickets for My Bloody Valentine and Bruce Springsteen. I also have a secret yearning to see Avenged Sevenfold, but if you could keep that to yourself, I would be eternally grateful....


Roll on 2008...