Mill Hill Music Festival Diary - Day 6

Stewart Curtis K-Groove soundcheck at Allianz Park

Day 6 and it's off to the home of Saracens Rugby club at Allianz Park for the first of three gigs. It was Stewart Curtiss K-Groove. Before the band arrived, the festival team has to install a stage, rig a PA and a lighting system and generally prepare the 100 club suite for the gig. Gerry and Dan along with the install team of Stuart Waterman and Adam P from Mill Hill Music Complex arrived at 2pm, armed with PA, lights etc. The stage guys turned up at 3pm.

By 5pm when I arrived, the room had been transformed. The band turned up at 6pm for a soundcheck, which was a relatively straightforward issue. The band are old pro's and Stuart W has run clubs for many years. Stuart then handed the PA over to yours truly for the gig. He was off for another function.

At 7.30pm the doors opened, and in poured the crowd. We had esteemed company. The Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Melvin Cohen and the Leader of the Council, Richard Cornelius joined us. The band played 2 sets and got a fantastic reaction. The venue is a superb location. It is new, has decent acoustics and aa good atmosphere. At the interval I had a chat with the Council leader. We agreed that the Saracens have done a great job and the stadium is a real community asset. We also agreed that the Mill Hill Music Complex PA sounded excellent! During festival week, I concentrate on music and it was great to see the council giving the festival such visible support.

As to the music, Stewart and the boys are excellent, they play an modernish take on Klezmer, integrating Latin grooves and jazz with the style. The reaction was superb and they got a rousing encore. Then we had to break down the rig and put the gear away. There are two nights left. Tonight (Friday), we have Jazz with the Louie Armstong tribute from the Bateman Brothers and tomorrow night the Polecats and Loaded Dice (feat mark Harman).

If you can make it, please come on down. There will be some excellent music played and it is a fine venue. Check it out for you weddings, Bahmitzvah's and corporate functions.