The Decibel Decoder hosted a stage at The Official Unofficial in Rotterdam as part of Left of the Dial on Friday 23 October. The venue was V11, a moored boat, and included bands from Scotland alongside friends from across the North Sea in Norway.
Oslo’s Daufødt got things off to an exhilarating start – exactly what was required as things kicked off early in the day at just after noon. The 4-piece do not hold back. Their sonic explosion and performance are completely captivating. Glasgow based Fog Bandits followed, keeping the energy high with their blistering mix of nu-metal, punk, and 90s alternative rock. Seeing Dutch friends linking arms and head-banging together at Fog Bandits says it all about this festival. San Jose are also Glasgow based and with a loyal following in Scotland’s central belt brought their unpredictable stage craft to the boat. Always surprising their sound is impossible to define. Live it’s tricky to keep track of what’s happening! Lead singer Calum is in the crowd, up the stairs, on the side benches – as one person was heard to say, a performance that will not be forgotten any time soon. The showcase was wrapped up by Edinburgh based Bikini Body who had the boat grooving with a sound that’s dancier than punk and punkier than dance. They draw on no-wave and dance-punk touchstones such as ESG and Liquid Liquid, but are their own thing as they rounded off the showcase leaving a hull full of very happy festival goers who were warmed up perfectly to head out into Rotterdam, ready for Left of the Dial shenanighans.
Daufødt
Fog Bandits
San Jose
Bikini Body
The Decibel Decoder will be back to do it all again in 2027. See you next year!
For more information on Daufødt please check their facebook and instagram.
For more information on Fog Bandits please check their facebook and instagram.
For more information on San Jose please check their facebook and instagram.
For more information on Bikini Body please check their facebook and instagram.
Photos Credit: Julia Mason
