Immersed! Festival ’24 Review

Organising a festival is not easy. Challenges can impede even the most experienced event planners, so it is impressive that a group of students can plan one. 

It was a pleasure to see so many people at The Tramshed. Following on from Wales’s 1st Future Generations Climate Convention at the Atrium, the Immersed! Festival enters its second day to showcase musical talent, whilst raising awareness through a partnership with Music Declares Emergency. 

Approaching the queue to enter,  it’s not often to see such a variety of ages among Tramshed attendees, but this event has something for everyone.

Inside the main building, there is art displayed on towers of boxes. Next to the bar is a selfie area decorated with glitter and artwork. This is where people had the chance to meet some of the artists. 

Four stages are welcoming audiences throughout the day, each with a different name and each showing an eclectic mix of music. Future Utopias is the main stage, where Drum and bass band Keyz Collective open with explosive beats. Next up, rock youngsters Statues of Men bring a mix of heavy riffs and softer vocals.  

Walking between stages builds excitement – the unknown of what senses will be immersed next and what genre of music will be on offer. Around the venue, figures in costume command the attention of onlookers. Delivering the message of sustainability through a creative narrative, students from the drama department stand out in intriguing costumes and with lampshades over their faces.  

The slow pace of The Haven stage offers a welcome break from the crowds. A more intimate and relaxing experience, it provides the audience with an opportunity to relax and rejuvenate. 

Downstairs is The Community stage, showcasing young people’s performances through Sound Progression. It is consistently full, but it’s easy to understand why with outstanding music from artists such as Hannah Paloma and the Noon Wolves. With calming vocals and melodies, their performance was enchanting and the vocals were incredible. 

Returning to the main stage, metalcore band, Vivaria burst out with energy and screaming vocals. This band know how to get the crowd going. 

Impacting the crowd with loud riffs, hardcore drumming and roaring vocals, Continents dominate the stage next, singing with angst and meaning to empower the small crowd. 

The passion and energy of CHROMA is unmatched, as fired up fans dance to the heavy rock with powerful vocals. The female fronted band were the highlight of the evening for me, due to the energetic nature of their performance. Performing a selection of their impressive collection of songs, the power that they bring is incomparable. 

Erupting onto the stage to close out the night, punk duo, Bob Vylan do not disappoint the now packed venue. They are a force to be reckoned with and deliver their performance with ferocity. Although Londoners, tonight they are kings of the Welsh venue.  With their political statements and crafted lyrics, they lit up the stage to close out the night. 

Students planned the festival but there were also others involved in capturing content. Immersed! TV launches on the 19th of March where you can catch festival highlights and exclusive artist interviews.