Bastille, Live Review: Rag ‘n’ Bone Man and more @ Rize Festival 2018

New festival on the block Rize widens replaced V Festival's appeal with crowd-pleasers aplenty.

When the long-running V Festival bowed out last year, Essex needed a new festival and Rize Festival stepped in to fill those shoes at the Hylands Park site in Chelmsford. The 2-day festival featured four main stages showcasing artists across genres, from pop, indie, urban, and dance, to upcoming talent. With a bill so jam-packed, and clashes aplenty it was impossible to catch everyone, but here is a roundup of the weekend. Compared to festivals like Glastonbury the site is small and the stages aren’t far apart, which makes moving between them a breeze. What's clear from flitting between stages, or simply sticking to one is that in terms of style no set was the same as the one before. Rag ‘n’ Bone Man’s magnificent and powerful voice is closely followed by Bastille, who are the perfect festival act as they get revellers into the party spirit with their well-known hits. Scissor Sisters frontman, Jake Shears brings his glam pop to the second stage, showing his raunchy side stripping down to a leotard by the end of his set. At any festival, you can expect a cover or two and Rize Festival is no different. Miles Kane serves up a rip-rollicking version of Donna Summer’s disco hit Hot Stuff, and James Bay’s cover of Simply The Best, by Tina Turner, is a standout moment. Liam Gallagher pays an emotional tribute to the late Aretha Franklin during his headline set, by dedicating Oasis classic, 'Live Forever' to the soul icon. Along with the festival outfit staples of denim shorts, crop tops and wellies, glitter is now the star feature. The stalls dotted throughout the grounds offer to glitter up faces and hair bunches, and every type of clothing item imaginable was adorned with sequins - which certainly lends a glamour to proceedings. The festival revamp has attracted a wider audience, and it’s really turned into a family event with plenty of parents bringing along their kids. Around the main stage, the mini-festival goers jump and dance to Rita Ora and Bastille, having as much fun as the adults. For anyone in need of a party the dance tent is the place to be. Disciples wrap up Friday’s proceedings with a full live band. On Saturday DJ Mista Jam plays the biggest anthems while the ravers leap about whacking inflatable balls above their heads. Closing act, Example & DJ Wire know how to put on the ultimate rave with their massive bangers, and send the crowd into a frenzy of bouncing and mosh pits. Photo credit: author's own