Festival Saturday Report

Audlem's Free Music Festival -

And it is at all the venues, but let me just say that the program that yours truly 'failed' to get around everywhere. What I did see left me in no doubt that this is a great place to see some of the best performances live, and FREE.

To attract some of the best performers around, who play in the best venues with a lot of top artists from every music genre is heartwarming, as it was put to me yesterday by one performer who has, and does, tour with some household bands, 'I can come here and play and enjoy just being here, such a great festival'. I asked him first if I could quote that, so terms and conditions duly applied!

So to the music, as the world famous Scout & Guide Hall opened it's doors to Back Row Plus, always a great favorite of what you may term as traditional music, and always entertaining. The Poetry workshop was well attended and Emma's blog will appear here at a later time.

The trip from Edinburgh for Simon Kempston was little fraught due to problems on the motorways yesterday, but once here Jinja Bakes was treated to his music. Shortly after at the Bridge the stage came alive with Andrew Lobb delivering some superb contemporary folk to a very discerning audience.

At the Lord C The Love Music Trust Youth Sinfonia strutted their stuff in style followed by the poptastic Alibi, these guys can really deliver and kicked the Lord C stage off for the rest of the day to follow.

Manchesters High Nines, who recently recorded down at Audlem's Hollow Floor Studios , raised the tempo with their Indie fuelled set, that set the tone for the afternoon by the canal.

Back at the Lord C the Green Smoke Hokum Band unleashed gypsy jazz with a twist of punk attitude to get the feet tapping and the bodies limbered up in to life.

And out of hibernation after 15 years, The Creature Comfort fairly erupted on to stage, as lead sing Ben Le Jeune released all that pent up energy from his period of dormancy, a clear highlight at this years festival, and more to follow on this.

And so it went on, rave reports about Robin Pierce Bands set, Itchy Feet and The Blue Eyed Beggars, while at the Bridge Headsticks with the attitude of much loved alternate folk, engaged the audience with a full on set, that truly delivered a message, and with no disguising the emotion, heartfelt indeed.

Now for Clocktower, all that saw, loved. All that heard where impressed a full on performance for the audience. What I like about bands like this are that they will come to our festival and perform like they are at the O2, as it should be.

John Ainsworth took a wrong turn but when he got here his 12 string rang out with a vocal range that that twisted and turned to great a unique sound, well worth the wait!

The church and over to Ralph.

The wonderful acoustics of the St James Church were the setting for the great performance by our own local set – Itchy Feet . Playing their special brand of music to a continually changing audience as visitors came and went as they enjoyed all that the festival was offering. Rose Consterdine was very pleased to have been a part of the super festival and said that she hoped to be back in 2014 .

In the evening the magnificent church was the place to be to see and to hear Audlem Voices as they presented The Mangnificat by John Rutter. A true tour de force directed superbly by Jenny Collis-Smith and to the delight of a full house. The appearance of Jane Johnson as guest soloist was stunning in her beautiful buttercup yellow gown as she sang like a nightingale . Thunderous applause at the finale of the Hallelujah Chorus from the Messiah by Handel sang by Audlem Voices brought a fine night to a close.

Our very lovely Audlem Voices will be back in October to even more delight our village and for sure will again be a jewel in the crown that is The Audlem Music & Arts Festival

In the evening...

In to the evening and Taylor and the Mason delivered their unique covers to a packed Bridge Inn Bar. Has to be said though the highlight had to be their own self penned material, now that was good!

Simon Kempston arrived on time from Jinja Bakes to the Lord C, though the traffic was a little heavy through the village. All ways a tough set at this time of day, but no less a professional really engaged those that could enjoy his performance.

Finally at the Bridge the Niola Chapman Band, no sorry, the Anthony 'Bongos' Fury Band, no, OK it was the one and only Roydan Styles Band, all ways a good full on entertainer with his delivery of full on flat out guitar delivering unique covers as only this band can, great night.

Now let's not forget down at the Lord C, Mark Stevens, a party night was had by all, and more will follow here about this gig.

The Shroppie rescued their night the booked band unfortunately having to cancel, and drafted in Clocktower who again rocked the Shroppie a top night.

Ian Haughey

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