OOR COVER: BEX "More music. More fashion. Just more everything!"

BEX is our July 2024 cover. Cover credit- Nick Davarias

BEX is everything. “I see it all as me,” she tells us during a wet afternoon in the press tent at Download. The nu-punk collective had played the Wednesday, an energising warm up to follow the weekend’s full proceedings. For the 22 year old singer, playing the festival was part of her masterplan, using last year's proceedings to get punters to sign a petition to get her to ‘one day’ perform. A full circle moment, this homecoming performance was “a blur. It was literally the best thing in the world.”

“I’ve always wanted to do this. I never had those gap years or going to uni. I always knew what I wanted to do.” BEX has always been creative. Whether it's performing shows and producing music, to creating her own fashion line Scallywags earlier this year, the creation of BEX is one of the most bespoke voices in the upcoming alternative scene. Going independent, making art and  playing the main stage at 2000 Trees, we hear it all as we follow BEX across the UK on their summer tour. 

Bex performing at Download 2024

Adorning a self-made custom dress, admittedly different to her usual style, she brought the ferocity during her newly released  do-or-die single ‘FIGHT’ at Download. Part of the BEX experience is the bespoke clothes she makes or upcycles for her live shows. Fashion is as much of a part of BEX as her music. “I think it originally started because I didn’t really like the clothes I could buy in the shops so I just couldn’t find anything that I liked. I needed to learn how to make it. I taught myself.” 

BEX likes to take inspiration from Vivienne Westwood, evident in her punk aesthetic,  but she also loves to look at what ordinary people are wearing, saying:  “If I see something that I like, I’ll remember and create.” BEX set up Scallywags, her own clothing brand, to sell one-of-a-kind items on an online shop or at independent markets. She has said she is not a very political person, but does care a lot about the ethics of clothing. “Fast fashion doesn’t have to be fast fashion. If there’s something you really like and you’re going to wear it, it’s okay to get it. Obviously it’s overconsuming that is the problem. That’s what makes it fast fashion.” 

“Now it’s just so normal to me to want something and then just make it rather. If I want something, I don’t even search for it online. I can make that.” At Scallywags, she does not make clothing for a specific audience. She makes the clothes she loves to make. “I just make clothes. I don’t make clothes for specific genders. There also not specifically for alternative people or goth people. They’re just for anyone.  When I do markets, people never even question if this is a boy's jumper.” 

BEX performing at The Black Heart last year

BEX, as a product, is proudly independent. There is no one else quite like BEX. After releasing her 2023 SCUM EP, she dropped her label and began making music herself. “I was with a label last year and it made things easier, but now it's a lot harder. There’s a lot more to think about.” She has released two singles since leaving her label and is hoping to release more music in the future. 

When asked about who BEX is, she says: “I think I’m just a creative. I don’t think I’m a musician, and I’m definitely not the best musician, but I’m also not the best designer or seamstress. I’m a creative person and I just want to share that.” Passion and drive are the forces behind the art she creates. Whether it's going on tour with Hawxx or Saint Agnes, like she did earlier on this year or performing with Mallavora at their SKIN release show, she knows how to style the entire band with their signature bunny-eared balaclavas. 

Above: Bex performing at 2000 Trees, Below: Bex customising T-shirts at 2000 Trees

Customising T-shirts at 2000 Trees

No one did 2000 Trees quite like BEX this year. A bubble gun wielding main stage set on Friday, revealing her brand new chrome logo.  Then a trip to Marshall’s House of Fun to customise t-shirts with fans, which ended up with the whole band and crew helping. Bringing her own patches, the tent was so busy, she was moved to another table and overran by an hour. If that wasn’t busy enough, she covered the festival in posters, promoting her upcoming London headliner at Omera. 

When asked ‘What’s next for BEX?’ the bassist and vocalist grins: “More music. More fashion. Just more of anything.” The real plan is to pursue this lifestyle and let others into BEX’s world. 

To get tickets to Bex's upcoming tour, please follow this link

Photo: Nick Davarias, Design: Josh Paine

Words: Amber Brooks

Photos and cover design: Nick Davarias