“Incredible bands, and even better choices of beer”: Kintsugi are ready for the 46th Real Ale festival

On the final day of the 46th Warwick University Real Ale Festival, following a performance from The Pork Chop Express, the stage will be filled with another student band – Kintsugi. 

“Referring to a Japanese process of repairing pottery with precious metals, so the ties between the pieces are more valuable than the constituent parts” Kintsugi is comprised of drummer Bill Bruce, bassist Will Jones, vocalist Harvey Towell, and guitarists Rene Assock and Ben Lakin.  

The ‘modern rock/metal’ genre allows the bandmates to explore their varied tastes and preferences without inhibitions

Bruce and Lakin have been playing together “since the first week of university,” after meeting on the first day, and, following some line-up changes, we now have Kintsugi. They mentioned that the previous combinations have “never been as fun… and at the end of the day that’s the key”.  

The band falls within the ‘modern rock/metal’ genre, which they describe as “such a broad spectrum”. This allows the bandmates to explore their varied tastes and preferences without inhibitions. 

“Pantera, Foo Fighters, and Slipknot” were picked out by Kintsugi as bands of which the members are ”massive fans”; each member has “their own favourites”. Bruce “loves a bit of classic metal”, while Rene is “specifically into very heavy soundscapes”. Towell has been exploring some “fringe metal” such as Thornhill, while Jones has “a soft spot for a bit of Snot”. Lakin, however, can’t seem to “look past Pantera”. 

We’re also going to be lucky enough to hear some of Kintsugi’s original songs, which they intend to sow into their setlist

This isn’t their first performance, and isn’t scheduled to be their last. Kintsugi played their first original gig back in October, which they described as simply “brilliant fun”, and following the Real Ale Festival we’re going to see them return to the stage in the fifth heat of Battle of the Bands on the 26th! 

How do they balance band practice and the university workload? They find that “rehearsing never really gets in the way of academics” and credits the simplicity of BandSoc’s practice room system for allowing them to prepare for the Real Ale Festival by “smashing out a few covers a week” and “working on originals in any other time”. 

At Real Ale Festival, they’re planning to play primarily covers – likely including their “classic go-to-song” ‘Slither’ by Velvet Revolver – which they find an “incredibly fun cover to do” with the “blues-style solo”, “addicting riff”, and “energetic vocals”. We’re also going to be lucky enough to hear some of Kintsugi’s original songs, which they intend to sew into their setlist, securing them some “good practice” for Battle of the Bands. 

Lakin, besides being Kintsugi’s lead guitarist, represents Real Ale Society as their social secretary, and let us know that “the festival takes a huge amount of time to prepare for, and we’re a very small team compared to the size of the event”. The efforts and energy of this small team, however, have not gone to waste – according to Lakin, who believes that they “have smashed it out of the park with the beer list” and promises that we “won’t be disappointed!”  

Kintsugi are prepared to “put on a blinder” at Real Ale Festival, at least when they aren’t enjoying “Titanic’s plum porter”

Fortunately, for those who aren’t self-proclaimed “ale-heads” like Lakin, alongside the 100+ beers, the festival is also armed with 50+ ciders, and a range of wines, mead and non-alcoholic drinks, ensuring the event is accessible for all! 

It’s no wonder, therefore, that Kintsugi are buzzing for Real Ale Festival, where we can expect “some incredible bands, and even better choices of beer”. Kintsugi are prepared to “put on a blinder” at Real Ale Festival, at least when they aren’t enjoying “Titanic’s plum porter” – their favourite “moreish masterpiece” – and we’re ready to embrace it!  

Secure your tickets to Real Ale Festival and catch Kintsugi from 10:30-11:30 pm in the Copper Rooms on Saturday 21 February: “don’t miss it!”