The Big Condo Records Weekender is one of the largest independent music festivals within the Northwest of England.
The festival takes place in one of Liverpool’s prestigious music areas, with 9 stages and 100 acts over 3 days. The festival was set up to help and launch grass roots artists and bands across Liverpool and the UK.
Big Condo Records is all about original music and supporting Bands and artists on their musical Journey, over the past few years people have said they found their favourite local artists at the Big Condo Records Weekender.
So many amazing acts to see this year, here is the poster and we have interviewed 5 chosen artists and bands from the weekender to tell us a little about themselves.
Interview with Little Tree
How did you get the band name and How did it all start?
The band formed because Cam (Guitar) had a beanie on his head. Guy had just started writing songs and singing a couple months beforehand and came up to Cam outside a Wetherspoons drunk out of his mind and said, “You look like you play Guitar.” So, they went off to a rehearsal room the very next morning, and Good Morning was written that same day. From there a few people came and went, Tom their drummer Included, but once Max jumped on the bass, we really got our first few songs solid, and they were good enough to bring Tom back into the fold. They just knew instinctively the groups solidified and you’ve got something.
We started gigging regularly at local pubs and bars and soon released the debut single good morning Oh the band name comes from a B&Q Houseplant man, yeah, we were kicking that football around for a while, doing open mics with generic names, like the undercovers, or joke names like “Pete Price and the Lizard Wizards” you know? I was sat in the house one day, and had this little citrus tree on my windowsill, with tiny little oranges on it, and I went, hey, Little Tree, sounds alright that, floated it by the boys, and we’re stuck with it now, so aye, the Band is named after a houseplant. It’s dead now and all. But hey, we’re still going. It’s got a legacy you know – Guy (Frontman)
Who are your inspirations?
We are influenced by the likes of 00’s Uk indie rock bands such as Franz Ferdinand, Arctic monkeys, however, each of us have our own tastes, Max likes Funk bands like TWRP, and Vulfpeck. Which you can hear evidently on our newer music. Specifically, on “AP”. Guy loves the Beatles, specifically John and his writing ability, he takes to Oasis with his attitude and stage presence. Cam is influenced by hard hitting rock bands such as Nirvana and The Crawlers, big riffs and distortion, that sort of sound we have come to expect. Tom is obsessed with U2, he takes a lot of inspiration from their drummer Larry Mullen, Big thumping patterns and choppy dynamic fills when the music calls for it.
What’s the best venue you have performed at and what’s your favourite performance?
Our favourite venue is the one we first played, the Kaz stock room, it Was the first time any of us had been on real stage you know, was all quite exciting.
The Big Condo Records Weekender is a growing grass roots festival in Liverpool, what does it feel like to be a part of it?
We’re looking forward to the Big Condo Weekender, playing out new songs from our soon to be announced debut EP “Addictive personality” it’s great that we have the likes of big condo to keep grass roots venues and events alive.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5BVZ5YdOBAcwnjiFyPMGdO?si=OIIpjyJeSC-D90l8b7_y_A
Interview with Kristian Rogerson
How did you get the band name and what is your genre and style of music?
My name is pretty much just my birth name with a slight alteration to make me stand out, my genre is mainly country with some folk and rock influences.
How did it all start and who are your inspirations?
Music has always been a part of my life, grew up in a musical family, my initial musical influences where my brothers Sam and Ben, growing up watching them, getting to see what they do on stage always gave me an urge to want to do something similar, but I didn’t start singing till 2019, as a way to cheer my friend up on karaoke, seeing the effect music and performing can have on people was something I knew I had to do…Musically my influences have to be Darius Rucker, Zach Bryan, Luke Combs and Dylan Gossett.
What excites you about the music industry?
Getting the chance to promote mental health and being a positive influence is something ive always wanted to do and this gives me a great platform to push the message across that no matter how dark the clouds are above you; you can make it out to brighter days, plus the fact there’s some absolutely nuts musicians out and about now, future of music is bright.
What’s the best venue you have performed at and what’s your favourite performance?
Best venue I’ve played at would probably have to be the White Lion Inn in West Kirby, I played there in May 2022 for the Wirral Ale Trail, such a great night filled with some amazing musicians, gig was in their garden, such a nice place…my favourite performance however has got to be in the Tank Room in Liverpool on the Big Condo Tour, probably the best I’ve ever played or sounded, loved it, plus the amount of talent on show that night was ridiculous.
The Big Condo Records Weekender is a growing grass roots festival in Liverpool, what does it feel like to be a part of it?
Couldn’t be prouder, the opportunity to showcase what I can do on the big stage is a dream come true, while getting to work with the amazing people at big condo has been the best time of my life, this festival is a massive credit to them, keeping music alive, I can’t thank them enough for the opportunities they’ve given myself and artists like me the chance to do what we get to do, it’s like being a piece of a massive yet amazing jigsaw puzzle.
Interview with Strider
How did you get the band name and what is your genre and style of music?
The name ‘Strider’ honestly just came out of thin air, our lead guitarist Ben just dropped the suggestion and it immediately stuck. Our genre is mainly indie rock however it’s very much in your face. There is also a mixture of quite different sounding songs for all ears to enjoy
Two of us got the idea of starting a band in very late 2023, and then our lead vocalist Jack penned down a tune, sent it to Ben and them both very much approved.
Archie (bass) and Ethan (drums) then came very swiftly after the first rehearsal as a duo, and we have since swiftly taken off.
Who are your inspirations?
Inspirations wise we’re all just generally inspired by the uk indie scene.
Interview with Little Miss
What’s your name?
We’re ‘Little Miss’! We are an alternative/rock/pop band from Merseyside, U.K.
How did it all start?
It all started when Brooke (Lead Singer), Jack (Guitarist), and Louis (Drummer) met at LIPA Sixth Form College and decided to form a band in 2023.
Later that year, Jack met Emma (Bassist) at university, and the band was complete.
What are your inspirations?
Our inspirations as a band are artists like Cassette, The Pretty Reckless, Nothing But Thieves and Bring Me The Horizon, among many other artists.
What excites you about the music industry?
The freedom to be who you want to be, and the opportunity to connect with so many people from different backgrounds. Music brings people together more than anything else, it is truly magical.
What’s the best venues you have performed at?
The best venues we have performed at thus far has to be Future Yard in Birkenhead, and the Kazimier Stockroom in Liverpool! These were our favourite performances, along with the Oriel Bar and Hemingway’s open mic nights which are always a ball, also we love performing with Big Condo Records.
Interview with Idyllic
What’s your genre, who inspired you, and what’s your favourite venues?
Firstly, I’d say our genre is rock and roll with inspirations of reggae, punk and jazz.
We have a wide range of influences, The Velvet Underground, The Clash, The Jam. The band started whilst we were all students at uni, originally being just two of us, Niall and Ben.
Megan Lee joined on lead, Josh Peters on bass and Joe Keech on drums.
Regarding our favourite venues and performances, our recent headline shows in Manchester and Liverpool, to sell out both shows was very special, and the support was amazing.
In addition, we love playing in London too, Dublin Castle Camden is another ace venue where we’ve had a great time.
What’s your five-year plan, what’s it like being a part of the Big Condo Records Weekender?
Five years is a long time to predict, and anything can happen. However, we will still be happy, doing what we love.
It’s very exciting being a part of The Big Condo Records Weekender and we’re super excited for it. Grass roots music is a collective effort from organisers, attendees, artists.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1bIFmGVXDB3srtKYUlzwS5?si=SjC-ipvcQQmR5SP9n17rZQ
It was fantastic to catch up with these artists and bands and we cant wait for the Big Condo Records Weekender, tickets are available on skiddle. We wish Big Condo and all the gig goers a wonderful weekend.
Yaz Tein.
