NASS Festival 2022 Review

Here's to Nass, the festival vou didn't know you needed (but you really do!)

Unless you're an extreme sports enthusiast or are one of our wonderful TikTok/Insta followers getting all the festival action and interviews, you might not have heard of Nass. It's no newcomer to the festival scene, it's been going since 2008, but has maintained an aura of 'if you know, you know'. And about 30,000 lucky people do know. I wasn't sure what to expect but "spoiler alert* it really delivered.

Musically it's pretty diverse with the theme being 'crowd pleasers'. Who doesn't want to see Shy FX tear it up on a Friday night? Or JME and crew free styling over banger after banger? Oh, you're a lil' more pop when the sun comes out? No probs, how about a bit of Ella Eyre, Becky Hill or Mabel? Rap royalty came out in force with Loyle Carner, Four Owls, Ocean Wisdom and Headie One gracing the various stages with their unique brands of lyrical mastery. So far, so festival. But what sets this gathering apart is what's happening as well. They've partnered with Upfest (the founders of Europe's biggest street art festival) so that the whole site is covered in graff of exceptional quality. It becomes like an outdoor gallery, always something new to distract the eye or cause a detour.

On top of these aural and visual delights there are all the extreme sports competitions going on around you. You don't have to be a mega enthusiast to appreciate the sheer talent displayed. How about a 9 year old girl, skateboard nearly as big as her, competing against 12 year olds and absolutely dominating? The death defying BMX’ers somersaulting over the ramps (yes, I know it will have a technical name but i’m a layperson so bare with me), the exhilaration when a trick is landed and the medical team when it's not.

There is so much more than just musical talent at this festival, there's a glut of creative prowess everywhere you turn. Once you've been you might just wonder how you'd ever go to a 'normal' festival again.

If you want to check out our coverage including an interview with Loyle Carner get to our TikTok or Instagram or dive in and get your tickets for 2023 here.

Words: Kate Vice @katevicephotography