FESTIVAL REVIEW: Misery Loves Company Festival 2024

Before the doors even open, Misery Loves Company Festival is off to a shaky start. Swapping from a one-day, multi-stage event to a standard gig has caused quite an uproar. To make things worse, there’s no confirmed start time. The ticket seller says 4:30 pm, the venue says 6 pm, but nothing from the event page.

Luckily, we arrived early to find that doors were indeed at 4:30 pm, but the first band wasn’t on until 5:30 pm. This conflicting information is disappointing, as some people might miss the first act, ALT BLK ERA. Tentatively, we head upstairs to SWX to find a fairly large crowd gathered this early. They certainly want their money’s worth, and thankfully, many people opted for the earlier door time to avoid missing anything. With an hour’s wait, the crowd is getting a bit restless, eager for the first act to begin. Finally, as the interlude music fades and the lights dim, the show starts.

Coming on slow and entrancing, ALT BLK ERA instantly captivate the audience. Delivering a genre-bending mix, culminating in slow but heavy and catchy tracks like Freakshow. Building up over the first few songs, we are treated to the first “get down and jump up” moment of the night. The audience eagerly joins in, crouching in anticipation, and when the call to jump comes, everyone springs into the air in unison. It’s executed perfectly, with everyone enjoying a good jump and dance.

Riding that momentum, ALT BLK ERA takes it up a notch with a group sing-along to My Drummer’s Girlfriend, arguably one of their catchiest and most popular songs. They ensure the crowd has at least some grasp of the chorus before launching into the track. Though there is a bit of hesitation, it goes well, and those unfamiliar with ALT BLK ERA will definitely walk away as new fans.

In a short but sweet set, they take time to announce their debut album, coming out in January. It’s hard to believe they’ve only been making music for four short years, yet they already deliver their sets with the maturity of a band that’s been at it for two decades. Ending with I’m Normally Like This, they show how heavy and catchy they can be, wrapping up their performance with a lively jump and dance to get the crowd warmed up for the next act.

Rating: 8/10

After a short break, AS DECEMBER FALLS takes to the stage. The last time they played SWX was during their headline tour last year, and they quickly remind us why they are veterans of this line-up. Their last show drew a packed house, and tonight they bring the same energy. The quintet delivers bouncy pop-punk tunes like Mayday, Join The Club, and No Money. These songs get the crowd jumping and singing along, with smiles all around.

Bethany Curtis, the quirky and charismatic lead singer, pulls playful faces throughout the songs, dancing around with a huge smile on her face. Coupled with both guitarists prancing around the stage, it’s a joy to watch, especially when the band is clearly having as much fun as the crowd. Like ALT BLK ERA, it’s a short but sweet visit from AS DECEMBER FALLS. Fortunately, we won’t have to wait long to see them again. Their selection to support RØRY next year makes perfect sense; if tonight is anything to go by, we’re in for a treat.

Rating: 9/10

Another brief break, and we’re onto the third band of the night. The first three songs are mellow, especially after the high-energy set from AS DECEMBER FALLS. Just when it seems like we’re in for a slow hour, things pick up with the fourth song, and THE HUNNA truly come into their own. They start moving around the stage and engaging the crowd, bringing a new level of energy. It’s always interesting to see a different side of a band when the lead singer steps away from the guitar and interacts more directly with the audience. This shift helps get the crowd even more pumped.

From that point on, they go from strength to strength, showing exactly why they were chosen as one of the original festival’s headliners. Their catchy hooks with an indie twist keep the crowd jumping and singing along. Though they wrap up earlier than expected, it’s still a fun set that adds variety to the lineup.

Rating: 8/10

RØRY is one of the few artists who truly demonstrate the power of social media. Going viral on TikTok in the past few years has catapulted her to the headline slot at Misery Loves Company.
You can spot the die-hard fans who’ve staked their claim at the front row just for her, showcasing how dedicated her fan base is, built from the ground up. RØRY’s mix of catchy music, beautiful melodies, and deep lyrics about her own trauma, addiction, and journey to sobriety resonates deeply with the audience. On one hand, it’s sad to see how many people relate to her struggles, but on the other, it’s comforting to know we’re not alone, and there’s a shared understanding.

This sentiment is reflected in tracks like Alternative, Family Tree, and The Apology I’ll Never Receive. On the flip side, songs like set opener Anti-Depressant and later BLOSSOM are empowering, urging listeners to rise above their trauma and embrace change. RØRY‘s openness extends beyond her music. She takes time between songs to share stories about her life and the background behind certain tracks. She nearly breaks down while discussing her song Jesus and John Lennon, dedicated to her late mother, but she recovers with a light hearted joke: “You moshers won’t be able to mosh to this one” having just witnessed her first-ever moshpit during Sadcore, her self-coined genre for her music.

For RØRY’s most dedicated fans, all the favourites were included. For newcomers, it was a great introduction to her back catalogue. Everyone came together for the new track Sorry I’m Late, from her upcoming debut album. The audience was unusually still as they intently listened, eager to see if this new track would be the next big hit or simply an album filler. A massive cheer erupted afterward, proving it was well-received. Ending with her viral hit Uncomplicated, reminiscent of early AVRIL LAVIGNE, the audience was swept up in a wave of nostalgia. Everyone sang, jumped, and moshed, making the final moments truly memorable.

Overall, this was an amazing headline set. Old and new tracks alike, bonding moments with the audience, and an air of openness made it unforgettable. We won’t have to wait long, as RØRY will be back on tour next year with AS DECEMBER FALLS, along with her debut album RESTORATION.

Rating: 10/10

Check out our photo gallery of the action of a smaller scale Misery Loves Company Festival here: 

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