A Personal look at the 2008 Festival by Tim Turner
Friday June 13 2008
If its a Friday in the middle of June, it must be Festival Time. This is what weve been working towards for the past twelve months and were just hoping for decent weather and a decent attendance. Extra worries this year include the credit crunch and a weekends-worth of concerts (Zutons, Elbow and KT Tunstall) at nearby
Still, just have to get on with things. I arrive on the main site around 9am and help organise stallholders and catering vehicles on and off.
During this I do a phone interview with SilkFM (the truck noises must have added something to it!) during which the interviewer asks me if Im worried that its Friday the thirteenth. I tell her its just the Friday of the Festival to us things will go wrong and well sort them out.
Mid afternoon artists and visitors start arriving. Weve got the Box Office set up early so all those who arrive before time but say they have tickets to pick up can be dealt with. Should ease things for later. Good to see PJ Wright and Dave Pegg two gentlemen and great friends of the Festival as well as superb musicians whove managed to fit us in en route to the Isle of Man.
Manic time at the Box Office, and then its time for the evenings concerts to begin. The annoying thing (happens every Festival but its still annoying) is not being able to see every gig. Settle for Bandersnatch, PJ&Peggy and Churchfitters in the Marquee. A great evening and a superb start to the weekend. Would have loved to catch some of June Tabor in the Church, but the no entry after its started rule knocks that one on the head. Reports afterwards give her the five-star rating wed expected, and as usual Mark Radcliffe and the Mahones go down a storm at the packed-out Legion. Good reports from the Nick Barraclough and Vicki & Trefor Williams gig at the Boars Head too. Manage to get home somewhere around 1 in the morning.
Saturday June 14 2008
Back on site around 10 for another day of enjoyable mayhem. The weathers good, and there seems to be lots of people around. The Festival Parade, which starts at 11, looks colourful and sounds great as it arrives at the field with even more people in tow. Somewhere around 12 I manage to tear myself away from the office and make my way to the Church and the Bullring amphitheatre. Its really buzzing around there, with dancers in the Bullring and a Bazaar alongside the Church. I go into the Church and catch some of Michelle Martins set. A wonderful voice, which sounds even better in the acoustics, superb songs and a great guitar style (inspired by Chet Atkins apparently). If you get a chance to see her, then go; and if youre looking for an original artist to book then heres one for you.
Having sat down in the Church its hard to get up, but conscience gets the better of me and I walk across to the Town Wharf on the Trent & Mersey Canal for a quick look at the Floating Gardens part of Cheshires Year of Gardens. I had actually seen a couple of them on Thursday when Kate our Boat Festival Director had asked me to help move a boat which was occupying one of the
They looked great, and were attracting lots of attention, but I was starting to feel guilty (we all do) about spending time away from the Office and I was just on my way back when I got a call that the photographer from Cheshire Life was waiting to see me. Having sorted out his pass and suggested a few ideal spots for photographs, and greeted a few old friends, its time for the afternoon concert.
This gets off to a great start with Anthony John Clarke who is also compering the concert then a storming set from Kerfuffle followed by the legendary Martin Simpson showing just why he is such a legend among guitar players.After the concert comes my first highlight of the Festival when Hannah James from Kerfuffle works out a clog-dancing routine in the artists room to Martin Simpsons banjo accompaniment and great encouragement. Thats what Festivals are all about!
Time for a quick pizza, and the Rory Ellis is first up in the Marquee with his unique blend of blues, country and folk allied to his amazing gravely voice and a host of self-penned songs. Another artist definitely not to be missed. Hes followed by the exciting contemporary folk band Uiscedwr. Unfortunately I have to miss this set as Im on stewarding duty at the Legion for the Neil Brophy/Nick Harper concert. Neils just finishing his set as I arrive, and earns several points for asking me how Im holding up after two days. Nick Harper played a great set at this venue last year, and asked to come back (we like artists like that!). Goes down well again, although one woman leaves part way through as he hasnt jumped on any tables yet! Some people are hard to please. I leave early to catch the end of the Warsaw Village Band in the Marquee, passing the Ceilidh in full swing at the Civic Hall. Looks packed out and sounds like everyone is enjoying themselves. Manage to hear WVBs last two numbers definitely different, and the sort of world music we try to encourage. Hear later that Jonathan Kelly went down well in the Church, and Chris & Kellie While produced a great set at the Boars Head, although it was rather hot in the small packed room. Another late night.
Sunday June 15 2008
The day starts off with the Churches Together interdenominational service in the Marquee well attended as usual with people overflowing outside the venue. Late morning finds all of us in the Office helping visitors with directions to various places in the town as well as selling tickets for the afternoon and evening concerts. The nearest cash machine is the most frequent request, so it sounds like people have been spending lots of money. I meet a man whos come over from Beverley; he says its the first time hes been able to come because we usually clash and is very impressed. Hes also impressed that weve got Chris & Kellie While and Devon Sproule. Pity everyone doesnt feel the same wed definitely have sold out then!
The afternoon Fathers Day concert starts with Kirsty McGee and Mat Martin with their hobopop. Brilliant stuff, and I could have done with a lot more of it. Except then Id have had to have less of Chris & Kellie While, whose voices combine superbly and occasionally bring a tear to my eye. I tell Chris afterwards and she seems very pleased at the effect. Then
Sunday evenings we like the Festival to finish with a bang, and this years no exception. The Scottish connection is well to the fore, with the formidable trio Lau and the truly amazing Peatbog Faeries. I reckon they left everyone completely out of breath! And superlatives!
After a bit of clearing up we all finished up in the Boars Head which was still recovering from Mike Lennon, Zoe Mulford and Rory Ellis to find three separate sessions going on. Again, thats festivals for you.
Cant remember what time we got to bed, but it was back to the field on Monday morning to clear up.
Everyone Ive spoken to seems to agree it was a wonderful Festival which is as good a reason as any for doing it again next year. See you there!
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