Five Times Visions Festival Was Weirder Than The Rest

Visions is a multi-venue festival that has been running in east London since 2013. The Hackney bash is reliable for booking great new bands and this year was no different, with brilliant sets from Dream Wife and Elf Kid as well as headliners including Young Fathers and Shura. But there was something unusual in the air at this year’s festival, which took place on August 6. From heavy metal to meditation to dogs dressed as Prince, the day was filled with moments that wouldn’t have felt out of place at the outer reaches of Glastonbury. Here are five of the strangest things we saw.

The world’s indiest dog show

Judged by Shura, The Big Moon, Little Boots and Marika Hackman, the inaugural Visions Dog Show was a feast of cute pups. Categories on the day included waggiest tail, best trick and best lookalike. The latter saw a dog named Ziggy dress up as “Ashes to Ashes” era David Bowie only to lose to this killer Prince doppleganger. The whole dog show was free to the public, as well as ticket holders, with money going to the All Dogs Matter charity.

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Regrettable tattoos

Tattoo artists from the nearby Old Habits were on hand to ink anyone who was having such a good time at Visions that they felt the need for a permanent reminder. Tattoo options on the day included your standard spider webs and skull and crossbones as well the name of the festival itself.

Thanks @visionsfestival !!

A photo posted by Clare Frances (@clare.frances) on

Sunn O-MMM

The ribcage-rattling sound of black metal might not be synonymous with the transcendental peace of yoga might not seem like a natural fit but Visions proved otherwise. What better way to prepare for an all-day festival than by doing the downward dog to the sound of Swans? That’s what a handful of the most blissed-out metallers discovered during an early morning yoga session with a twist.

Special guest Pokemon

Genghar played an early evening set at Mangle, a basement venue which also played host to ferocious sets from Show Me The Body, Bleached and Lightning Bolt. Whether it was planned or just serendipity, their Pokemon homonym made an appearance nearby.

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An indie supergroup

Possibly inspired by a day of dog shows, yoga, tattoos and Pokemon, Yak ended the day by gathering together a supergroup line-up for their headline set at Moth Club. The band ripped through songs from their ‘Alas Salvation’ debut backed by Jono Ma from Jagwar Ma plus Tame Impala’s Jay Watson. Maybe not as weird as the rest, but definitely unique.

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