Gig review: 'Chipped'

Watching metal four-piece, Chipped, at Jellycat Music Festival last night wasn’t just a musical performance. It was transcendent. Imagine thousands of metal fans rocking out around you, distorted guitar solos and glitter explosions... It was metal mayhem – Jellycat Style! 

Amuseables Dragon Fruit was a showstopper in every sense. Neon fuzz blazing and eyes wild with passion (and possibly a Squawkatoo mocktail), she powered through the set with vocals that sounded like someone fired a smoothie into space and gave it a megaphone. Her mic stand was made from repurposed cocktail umbrellas. No one questioned it.

Nobody plays the drums like Derreck Dog – mostly because nobody else has the endurance, or the willingness to duct-tape cymbals to their tail. His rhythm was thunderous. His delivery, flawless. And the toothmarks on his drumsticks? Well, that’s his signature look.

Chip Seagull is a bass legend. That beak. That squawk. That low-end rumble that could sink a fishing boat. He barely moved, except to menace a plate of mushy peas mid-solo, but his presence loomed large. His contribution to “Pecking Order” – a feedback-heavy instrumental – left the crowd stunned.

Then there’s Skeleton Bob, the band’s enigmatic lead guitarist. What can be said that hasn’t already been said about him? Nothing. So even why try? 

For a band approaching their “Lifetime Achievement” era, Chipped continue to perform at the highest level and it's clear that fans love their newer material like: *“Seize the Crumb” *and “Pulped”. Although the loudest roar of the day was undoubtedly when they played their chart-topping “Toast Me in the Pit”.

If you’re looking for subtlety, serenity, or songs under seven minutes – look elsewhere. But if you want a gig that rattles your fluff and leaves glitter in your boots – Chipped is your band!