After the sell out success of this year's inaugural Obey the Riff Festival, 2020 will see the day/night event return bigger and better to Panhead Brewery in Upper Hutt.
Boasting 8 bands including groups from the UK, USA and Australia, the day promises to be the premier heavy riff festival in New Zealand. This year's headliners are UK cult heroes Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats who return to New Zealand for the first time since 2014. Off the back of 5 critically acclaimed albums including last year's brilliant Wasteland the band have played every major rock festival worldwide and supported Black Sabbath throughout Europe in 2013. With their unique blend of proto-metal and turbo blues, come witness what Decibel Magazine calls a groovy, evil delight.
Back again are Wellington sludge titans Beastwars. After a 2 year hiatus the group returned with their fourth album, IV which debuted at number 1 on the NZ album charts and was followed up by a sold out tour of New Zealand and Australia and nominations for Best Group and Best Rock Album at the New Zealand Music Awards. The band who invented the mantra Obey the Riff will be playing the sunset slot as the night goes dark and the witches come out.
Also returning for 2020 are Earth Tongue, the heavy psychedelic / fuzz band from Wellington NZ who have spent a huge chunk of this year smashing through Europe in support of their new album Floating Being. This will be the last chance to see Earth Tongue in New Zealand before they relocate to Berlin in 2020.
The Schizophonics from San Diego blow minds EVERYWHERE they go. Guitarist/front man Pat Beers spends most of his time he is on stage levitating and when he's not airborne expect 720 degree spins and the splits. Joined by his wife Lety on the drums and Takumi (a kiwi nonetheless) on bass, the trio are a blend of the MC5 / Hendrix in 1966/1967 meeting James Brown head on in a sonic discotek.
Canberra's Witchskull were last seen in New Zealand last June supporting Beastwars and giving them a good run for their money. Label mates with Uncle Acid on Rise Above Records, Witchskull have been described as Ozzy Osbourne singing for Motorhead and we think that's about right! With riffs for days, ripping guitar solos and the hairiest, most pounding rhythm section you're ever likely to see - we are stoked to welcome our Aussie brothers back to New Zealand.
On their first ever visit to New Zealand, Sydney 3 piece Potion promise to deliver a set of crushing fuzz-drenched psychedelic doom. With 2 brilliant EPs and impressive support slots to their name they are fast becoming one of the most in demand live bands in Australia. Their unique combination of early Sabbath riffage with the brutality of the modern hardcore will ensure them as a highlight of the festival for many.
Linen are 3 fuzz aficionados that have taken the Wellington live scene by storm over the last 12 months with their blend of acid rock and psych-punk. Featuring truly mind melting guitar work, this local power trio will take you on an epic trip of raw psychedelic bliss. Opening the show at 1pm is the heavy, sludgey, bluesy rock of End Boss. Featuring the vocal talents of E.J Thorpe, the super down-tuned twin guitars of Greg Broadmore and Christian Pearce from Wellington via Hamilton punk group Ghidoragh and Nato from Beastwars on drums.
Panhead Custom Ales will be brewing up some special artist collab beer for the event and tasty foods trucks will also be in attendance. After this year's blitzing sunshine and 30 degree heat punters will also be happy to hear that more shade has been made available.
