For 10 years, Boiler Room have blessed avid internet explorers and music lovers a-like with the some of the most innovative new talent from across the globe; all at the touch of a finger. Known for their exclusive, web-cammed parties in hard to find venues, it came like Christmas to hear the announcement of their first ever festival, celebrating a decade of supporting and streaming underground music. Having travelled the world, it seemed there was no better place to hold this 4-day party than the streets of London, bursting the seams of Peckham with an army of Nike Air Force and baggy tees. Kicking it all off is a day of jazz, introducing an eclectic selection of experimental artists including a soul very fresh to the scene - Greentea Peng.
Boiler Room are branded by the intimacy and rawness of their live events and nothing changed for their festival. Cautiously stepping down narrow, winding stairs I find myself in a hazy underground lair with a head-height ceiling and low lighting, giving off a 1920’s speakeasy vibe. The air is sticky, spiced rum and coke lingers on everyone’s breath and a fog of chilled anticipation hangs over our bopping heads. A swell of synths directs the audience’s attention to the tiny stage. Miss Peng floats through clouds of smoke with a retro mic in one hand and a lit joint in the other, opening her set with debut track ‘Kali’, singing ‘I need you now’ in an ode to her love of marijuana.
It wouldn’t be a live performance without some technical glitches, but this only adds to the authenticity of the evening as Greentea takes it as an opportunity to chat with her cherished audience. In a strong South London accent she asks us how we’re all feeling before seamlessly rolling back into her set. She strikes me as a reincarnated version of Amy Winehouse, only with more tattoos and (arguably) better hair. Her earthly energy bounces off everyone in the room as her chanted vocals resonate across London, thawing October’s icy streets with dulcet tones straight from the underground. The band begin to take a psychedelic approach, mixing lo-fi beats with over-reverberated guitar riffs as Peng treats us to an improvised scat rendition in true jazz style.
In yet another meditative song dedicated to her love affair with Mary Jane, ‘Medicine’ moves the whole crowd to a synchronised sway, watching as Peng interweaves her hands like a hypnotic rattle snake. Revealing a reggae influence, Dawn Penn’s infamous track ‘No No No’ is boldly blended into this soulful performance and suits Greentea’s raspy vocals perfectly, enhancing her dreamy, stoner image. Her final song, ‘Downers’ is blasted out the sound-systems and die-hard fans attempt to sing along to its opening riff of plucked strings.
The set closes with an emotional lyrical freestyle, accompanied by a classical piano serenade as Peng modestly bow’s and expresses her gratitude for being here. Kisses are blown to the audience through watery eyes, leaving us all with a spiritual warmth and a performance to remember.