We were delighted to hear that Croydon music extravaganza Cro Cro Land is back for a second installment this April following its debut in 2019 (read our coverage of the original festival here). As with its first incarnation Cro Cro Land 2024 boasts a gender-balanced line-up jam packed with Joyzine favourites, including Desperate Journalist, Fraulein, Deux Furieuses, Hurtling and many more alongside headliners Mattiel and The Subways. The demolition of the central Croydon hotel which hosted their first fest has enforced a change of venue to the beautiful Grade II listed Stanley Arts, which will host 40 bands on 3 stages across two days.
We caught up with festival organiser Angela Martin to find out more about this year’s event.
It’s fantastic to have Cro Cro Land back – for anyone who missed the first edition can you give us a quick recap?
It was a huge rock ‘n’ roll party held in a hotel earmarked for demolition, where music fans and bands stood together in support and love for new music. We had Nova Twins, The Lovely Eggs, Blood Red Shoes, ARXX , She Drew The Gun and so many others on the bill. It really felt like everyone got behind the festival and because of this, we sold out and I didn’t have to file for bankruptcy.
What did you learn from putting on the first festival and how has that impacted this year’s event?
I learnt a lot about the not so glamorous side of events, such as portaloo hire, St Johns Ambulance, health and safety regulations etc. Booking the bands is only part of it. Needless to say, I learnt a lot and it’s made life easier with a lot more pre-prep put into action for this year’s event.
What is it about Croydon in general and Stanley Arts in particular that makes it the ideal home for the festival?
Croydon is the birthplace of punk and has such a rich music history. It used to be on every band’s tour schedule, but sadly with so many venue closures over the years it sort of fell off the map. We wanted to bring bands back to the borough and so Cro Cro Land was born. As for Stanley Arts, it’s a quirky space and they’re doing some incredible things in the arts space, so it just made sense for this old Victorian building to be this year’s home.
Who are this year’s headline artists?
On Saturday, we have Mattiel headlining the main stage (The Town Hall). She hasn’t played a London show in over two years, so we’re delighted to be her welcome return to our city. Headlining our second stage (The Concrete playground) is LIINES. As for Sunday, The Subways will be taking over the Town Hall and Gen and the Degenerates will be ripping it up over on the Concrete playground stage.
Any names that might be new to our readers that we should be keeping an eye on?
So many cool new bands are playing but one that really springs to mind is YUKE: my hot tip – think Metronomy mashed with Scissor Sisters and you might come close to their sound.
I know that gender equality is really important to you as promoters – how does that manifest with Cro Cro Land?
It’s very simple. Our festival is gender balanced across both stage and crew. To be honest, it’s not something we’ve even had to make much of an effort to ensure as it’s so easy to find talent for both on stage and crew. Not sure why other festivals seem to find this a challenge.
Finally, for anyone thinking of getting involved with promoting their first shows, what would be your best piece of advice?
Plan, plan, plan! It’s all about the admin. Yes, I know that sounds boring, but it’s so important. Cost everything out, apply for funding if you need to. Don’t start booking bands until you have your plan in place.
1. Mattiel – ‘Jeff Goldblum’
An ode to the actor himself set in a dream-like world. This song is as hooky as f**K and totally dreamy. This will be Mattiel’s first gig in London for over 2 years. So excited to have her fly over to headline Cro Cro Land on Saturday 13 April.
2. The Subways ‘Rock & Roll Queen’
This song will always have a special place in our hearts with many a weekend spent in indie clubs dancing like crazy to this song. The Subways live shows are legendary and so we’re dead pleased to have them join us as headliners on Sunday 14 April.
3. She Drew The Gun ‘Behave Myself’
Critically acclaimed, political and on point, She Drew The Gun played year one of Cro Cro Land and return to our concrete shores on Sunday 14 April. ‘I am the rage of all women condensed to the point of explosion. I’m the silence of violation finally broken…’ What’s not to love about this song?
4. Buzzard, Buzzard, Buzzard ‘Therapy’
Fat fuzzy bass, killer vocals, and just an energy we can’t get enough of in our festival office. Love the lyrics in this one, how we can be stuck in our heads, the black dog that barks in our minds and needs to be put down. This song spells it out loud and clear ‘Therapy’.
5. Bugeye ‘Summer in the City’
Stories of the city delivered with huge synths, guitar hooks and wit. This song seemed perfect for the playlist as it never fails to make me smile and like this song, hopefully we will create some beautiful stories and memories at this year’s Cro Cro Land.
6. LIINES ‘Sorry’
LIINES are great at writing urgent driving rhythms and this song does not disappoint. It has gritty commanding vocals and a bass line filled with intensity that’ll make your whole body vibrate. Post punk at its finest!
7. Berries ‘Control’
Throwing jagged guitar shapes into a song that totally soars. With each new song written, Berries just get better and better. Not many bands can pull that off. Control is one of those songs that will linger in your head for days in a beautiful way.
8. Gen and the Degenerates ‘Big Hit Single’
What an intro? Instantly dirty and exciting. I love the fact that this song is basically giving the finger to their record label who asked them to write a track like the one they wrote that did well.Tongue and cheek lyrics and heavy pon the bass – this is pretty perfect and should be a BIG HIT
9. The Baby Seals ‘Id’d At Aldi’
This is the latest single by The Baby Seals. Punk rage but an hilarious song that’s super fun. fuzzy, noisy and basically about being Id’d in Aldi, this track has a nod to L7 but football kicked into present times.
10. Whitelands ‘Tell me about it’
Now this song is super lush and is the perfect delivery of dream pop wonder. “It’s about being lost with the aspect of love,” says vocalist and guitarist Etienne Quartey-Papafio – totally hits the mark and captures the moment beautifully.
11. Desperate Journalist ‘Hollow’
This song will always be a fave of mine. ‘Lichen softens on bended knees. Stone sleeping under heaving seas…’ The lyrics are pure song writing brilliance and musically this one weaves and flows over you wanting you to intensely press repeat when it comes to an end.
12. Fraulein ‘Feels like flying’
How good are Fraulein – their music is like a power punch back to the 90s but with a lasso back to 2024. Modern but classic grunge all the way. From the solo opening of drums to the last chord ring, you’ll be hooked on this band.
Cro Cro Land takes place at Stanley Arts on 13th-14th April. Full information and tickets here
Interview by Paul Maps
Photography from Cro Cro Land 2019 by Chris Patmore: chrispatmore.co.uk
Keep up to date with all new content on Joyzine via our
Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Mailing List