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Saturday, 17 June 2023
The Saturday List #309 - My top ten moments from the last 14 Mill Hill Music Festivals
I've been involved in organising the Mill Hill Music Festival for over 20 years. The Festival is a biannual event (although we got out of sync during covid, so we are having a 2023 festival following the 2022 festival, which should have been the 2021 festival, if you get my drift).
Today, the festival starts, so I thought I'd do a recap of some of the best moments.
2009
SUNDAY 21 JUNE from 8.00pm 'LATER' AT THE ADAM & EVE GARDEN PARTY WITH THE GOOD OLD BOYS The Adam & Eve Pub, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, NW7 1RL
The band featured Alan Barratt (ex Jo-Jo Gunne, Cliff Bennett); Nick Simper (ex Deep Purple); Pete Parks (Rick Wakeman, BB King); Simon Bishop (ex Renaissance, The Monks) and Richard Hudson of The Strawbs. It was a brilliant night, with a stellar line up. Sadly, due to complaints from neighbours, we can no longer do live music in the pub garden.
2011
SATURDAY 25TH JUNE - FROM 7.30pm
SOUND OF THE SUBURBS PARTY
Connie A with The False Dots, The Ron Lewis Partnership, Angels with Enemies + Special Guests
Mill Hill Sports Club, Grahame Park Way, NW7 2AL
This was an amazing night. Connie A, who was singing with the False Dots was a force of nature. She performed at Barack Obama's inauguration with Emmanual Jal, which gives some idea of how good she was. We finished with a mega Jam. which is one of the best moments I've had on a stage.
We made a little video to commemorate it
2013
SATURDAY 22ND JUNE The Polecats plus Loaded Dice Allianz Park, Greenlands Lane, NW4 1RL
Rockabilly band, The Polecats started life in Mill Hill in the late 70s. In the early 80s the band began carving out a name for themselves to become an integral part of the British rockabilly revival scene. Fronted by Tim Polecat and Boz Boorer (who has toured with Morrissey and has played with Adam Ant and Edwin Collins) the Polecats played many of their hits such as Rockabilly Guy, Big Green Car, Marie Celeste, John I’m Only Dancing (Bowie cover), Jeepster (T-Rex Cover), as well as a smattering of rock ’n’ roll covers. Boz, Tim and Phil Polecat, were all born and raised in Mill Hill. The band have toured the world having hits on nearly every continent but after 35 years together they wanted to mark the occasion with a homecoming gig.
It was great to see my mates all back where they started!
This year our party night was at the Three Hammers for an evening of great rocking reggae with Joe Angel & The Pamodzi Band. The band built a big following on the London reggae scene with their big roots reggae sound. It was great to hear such music in Mill Hill. Joe’s soulful lead vocals and self penned lyrics, two backing vocalists, three guitars, and double keyboards gave us another night or great music. With support from Misdemeanour (featuring False Dots drummer Gray Ramsey) playing hits of the 60s and 70s, our final night was an great party. The busiest night ever in the history of the Three Hammers.
Saturday 13 Jun
Film Music Gala - BBC Elstree Concert Band
2015 saw the first performance at the Festival of the The BBC Elstree Concert Band, who have become regulars. They treated us to a feast of movie favourites from the silver screen such as John Williams’s thrilling Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark themes. With the band’s grass roots originating from the world-famous Elstree Studios, film scores are a regular feature of all their performances, including music from movies that were actually made at Elstree. Formed in 1984, the 40+ piece band has a repertoire of light classics, show music and contemporary wind band arrangements. Their performances have been broadcast both nationally and internationally through the BBC World Service. They have given concerts in aid of The Voice of the Listener Trust, North London Hospice and several other charitable organisations and further afield in France and Germany. They are playing again this year, this thrilling concert is not one to be missed.
Mill Hill Golf Club, 100 Barnet Way, Mill Hill, NW7 3AL Our evening began with 5-piece cover-band,Recollectionplaying favourites from the 60’s to present day. Then we danced the night away to the rockingest, rock-steady beat of theThe Silencerz. One of country’s top ska bands, bringing the house down with a fun and energetic night, featuring ska classics, along with a selection of originals.
The band were joined by special guest Lee Thompson, renowned Madness saxophonist.
Our party night featured 60's soul legends, The Foundations, best know for no 1 hits such as Build Me Up Buttercup and Baby, Now That I found you at The Mill Hill Golf Club. This was an amazing night, and it was an honour to host my old mate Alan Warner (Foundations guitarist) doing what he does best
This wasa great night. Aforementioned guitarist Alan Warner of 1960s band - brought his own band to Mill Hill, with a brilliant mix of rock, blues and pop covers plus original songs. For me though, it was also the first gig of the new line upp of The False Dots as a three piece. It was also the first gig in my 44 year music career on lead vocals. I was very nervous, but it was a blast. Here is one of the highlights for me
Older readers will remember Joe's Dad Richard from BBC classic series that's Life. Joe has all the talent and sense of fun, with a huge dollop of contemporary Jazz sensibilities. He gave us a wonderful night and was a massive highlight of the festivals three decades.
A great evening of Brit-Funk, with this Supergroup made up of legends from the world of Brit funk, featuring members of Hi-Tension, Light of the world, Beggar and Co and Central Line. The whole of Mill Hill Golf club had a boogie. Another absolutely brilliant festival night
PARTY NIGHT @ MILL HILL GOLF CLUB
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