No festivals for a while and then two come along at once. Maverick last week and Saturday at Ely this week. Previously went to Ely in 2011 and always said we’d return – this is our folk festival for the year (at least for now, unless we make the long trip to Glemham Hall for Folk East) as we are again giving Cambridge a miss.
Music
Saturday at the Maverick Festival 2013
Third visit to Easton Park and the second where we should have turned out for the three days rather than just the one. Definitely next year! Paul Spencer and Ken Ansell have clearly got friends in very high places – another cracking, sunny day to accompany the excellent music, good food and fine ales. I was less familiar with most of the artists performing this year, so it’s good to report such a terrific standard across all the stages on Saturday.
War of the Worlds – Next Generation
Filmed in front of the sell out audience at the London O2 arena in December 2012, caught this Next Generation – Alive On Stage at the Riverside in Woodbridge. Part of its new digital and streaming service, although this obviously wasn’t streamed as most of the specialised productions are. Spectacular production, great sound and incredibly skilled playing from strings ensemble and (very) large band. Very enjoyable although …
Dave Kelly & Paul Jones
Great acoustic blues set at the Riverside Theatre in Woodbridge (last Wednesday). Hard to believe it’s well over two years since we last saw them at the same venue. Always fine stuff and this was no exception. Dave Kelly must be one of the most underrated slide guitarists around. The backdrop to the chosen songs are also always worth hearing, although Paul did seem to …
Show of Hands – Ipswich Corn Exchange
Only the second time we’ve seen these guys and it was over two years ago when the band ‘gigged’ in the rarefied atmosphere of Snape Maltings. On tour in part to promote the excellent new CD “Wake Up The Union”, it was pleasing to see that they had as good as sold out the Corn Exchange.
Maverick Festival 2012
Good Saturday at the Maverick at Easton Farm Park. Just the one day again (like last year), next time should really try all three days. A few quirks this time (the odd power problem early on had the knock-on effect of yours truly queuing 50 minutes for coffees, which is no fun, and quite a few of the ales were sold out by early evening.
O Lucky Man!
Has it come to this? Last night’s gig was a 70 year old Geordie who walked out on the Animals at the height of the band’s fame and once had a reputation for being ever so slightly chippy. However, that would hardly phase any Van Morrison fan, even if true…
Rhythm Festival 2011
First time at this event, drawn by the eclectic line up and mixture of the new and some stalwarts from the 60s and 70s. Held near Biggleswade (well, other side of the A1 at the Mansion House, Old Warden). Held over three days of the Bank Holiday weekend, how did it fare….
Cambridge Folk Festival
Only got there for the Sunday this year. Great weather, which was a plus as I remember wandering around in the mud a couple of years ago….
Ely Folk Festival
Enjoyed our first visit to the above. Couldn’t get full weekend tickets so went on the Friday night and the Sunday. Particularly looking forward to The Men They Couldn’t Hang who, sadly, proved to be the only real disappointment of the event.
Maverick Festival – 2nd July 2011
First time visitors to the Maverick Festival at Easton Farm Park – inexcusable really as it’s just a few miles up the road. Americana in Suffolk, great weather and lovely venue. And many highlights….
Oldie But Goodie….
Another trip down memory lane as we went to see Joe Brown at the Ipswich Regent. Just recently, it might seem I’ve been indulging in a little too much nostalgia, but appearances can be deceptive…