So it's 9am in the morning on Sunday. I finally got to bed at 4.30am. The last gig, Recollection, Alan Warner & Candy, Freeway and the Amnesiacs finished at about 1am, with the place boogieing on down. We also had the BBC Symphony players at St Pauls Church. I didn't go to St Pauls, but Clare was at that and she reported that it was a resounding success. The packed house heard some of the finest players in the country in a truly beautiful surrounding. I'd have loved to have attended, but you can only be in one place !
Every event had over 100 people in attendence and most sold out on the night. My estimate is that over 1,500 attended all of the events. Every event was well received.
I had a long day yesterday, arriving at the Sports club at 2.45pm. Thanks to Gordon, Brian and Bob who helped us lug the PA up the stairs and rig it up. It was rigged by 4pm and the bands started arriving at 5pm for soundchecks. These went on until around 7pm, when the punters started arriving. First up were the Amnesiacs. A local band performing their first gig. They had a great singer, Olivia Carbine performing with them, a talent to watch for the future. Next up, Recollection did the first of their 3 sets. The band are an excellent covers band, playing numbers such pretty woman, knock on wood, etc. They are great for parties, functions and music festivals. Their singer Sean is one of the few people who can really do such songs justice. The guitarist, Gerry Keane, is a festival organiser and a friend of mine since 1966, when we were in the same class at St Vincents. Although Gerry is a totally different style of guitarist to myself, strangely we both play blond stratocasters! Must be something about being born in 1962. Gerry and myself have run all the PA's (ably assisted by a team of helpers). He's a delight to work with. We have quite different approaches to problems, which is great and very complimentary. It gets things done ! Gerry pays attention to the details that I am sometimes too engrossed to miss. It shows why you need people in a team with a range of skills.
At the end of their first set, we had Freeway. They are a great local band. They have been playing recently at the Bald Faced Stagg in Burnt Oak, so if you are in that neck of the woods, check them out. Gordon the drummer is another long time friend and a great asset. A man with a van who will do anything for anyone. The band do songs such as Maggie May by "That great Scotsman from London, Rodney McStewart" amongst others.
Next up, we had Alan Warner & Paul Myerson making their second festival appearance. They were ably joined by Candy, who gave a superb rendition of "Take a little piece of my heart". Al took the lead vocals for the Foundations hit "Build me up, Buttercup". By this time, the audience were on their feet.
Recollection took the stage again for the final hour and I should imagine there are some tired legs and sore throats after the dancing and singing.
When the band finishes, there is another task for the sound guys. We have to break the PA down. It was 2.45am by the time this task was finished. Gerry ran me up to the Mill Hill kebab shop, by the Railway pub. They stay open till 3am. If you are in a band and do late shows, these guys are a Godsend. Kebabs are sometimes derided as "junk food", but a chicken shishe kebab is actually one of the most healthy meals you can have. It is low fat, and with a generous portion of salad, gives you three of your five a day. It is a festival tradition that Gerry and I always have a kebab on the closing night. I got home at 3am, still buzzing. I made a cup of tea, ate the kebab, watched the news, fell asleep and woke up at 4.30am, at which point I stumbled up to bed. The 2011 music festival has been a great success. This blog will now return to it's normal self, although I will post a few more piccies and videos as I edit them.
Thanks for all your support.
Every event had over 100 people in attendence and most sold out on the night. My estimate is that over 1,500 attended all of the events. Every event was well received.
I had a long day yesterday, arriving at the Sports club at 2.45pm. Thanks to Gordon, Brian and Bob who helped us lug the PA up the stairs and rig it up. It was rigged by 4pm and the bands started arriving at 5pm for soundchecks. These went on until around 7pm, when the punters started arriving. First up were the Amnesiacs. A local band performing their first gig. They had a great singer, Olivia Carbine performing with them, a talent to watch for the future. Next up, Recollection did the first of their 3 sets. The band are an excellent covers band, playing numbers such pretty woman, knock on wood, etc. They are great for parties, functions and music festivals. Their singer Sean is one of the few people who can really do such songs justice. The guitarist, Gerry Keane, is a festival organiser and a friend of mine since 1966, when we were in the same class at St Vincents. Although Gerry is a totally different style of guitarist to myself, strangely we both play blond stratocasters! Must be something about being born in 1962. Gerry and myself have run all the PA's (ably assisted by a team of helpers). He's a delight to work with. We have quite different approaches to problems, which is great and very complimentary. It gets things done ! Gerry pays attention to the details that I am sometimes too engrossed to miss. It shows why you need people in a team with a range of skills.
At the end of their first set, we had Freeway. They are a great local band. They have been playing recently at the Bald Faced Stagg in Burnt Oak, so if you are in that neck of the woods, check them out. Gordon the drummer is another long time friend and a great asset. A man with a van who will do anything for anyone. The band do songs such as Maggie May by "That great Scotsman from London, Rodney McStewart" amongst others.
Next up, we had Alan Warner & Paul Myerson making their second festival appearance. They were ably joined by Candy, who gave a superb rendition of "Take a little piece of my heart". Al took the lead vocals for the Foundations hit "Build me up, Buttercup". By this time, the audience were on their feet.
Recollection took the stage again for the final hour and I should imagine there are some tired legs and sore throats after the dancing and singing.
When the band finishes, there is another task for the sound guys. We have to break the PA down. It was 2.45am by the time this task was finished. Gerry ran me up to the Mill Hill kebab shop, by the Railway pub. They stay open till 3am. If you are in a band and do late shows, these guys are a Godsend. Kebabs are sometimes derided as "junk food", but a chicken shishe kebab is actually one of the most healthy meals you can have. It is low fat, and with a generous portion of salad, gives you three of your five a day. It is a festival tradition that Gerry and I always have a kebab on the closing night. I got home at 3am, still buzzing. I made a cup of tea, ate the kebab, watched the news, fell asleep and woke up at 4.30am, at which point I stumbled up to bed. The 2011 music festival has been a great success. This blog will now return to it's normal self, although I will post a few more piccies and videos as I edit them.
Thanks for all your support.
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