festivaLs

the bm ! round–up of live blues

Blues On The Farm

PumP Bottom Farm, ChiChester

June 20th – 23rd 2013

Last year if I need to remind anyone the countryside was awash with rain, rain and more rain, causing Blues on the Farm as well as many other festivals to cancel. This year it was sun, sun and more sun a fabulous weekend of sunshine beamed down on Chichester. Saying farm you may be thinking of sheep, cows, chickens etc., but no, this is the best kind of farm, a cider farm. There are plenty of cider and real ales on tap for festival goers to enjoy, as well as ample food outlets. The atmosphere over the weekend has to be experienced, as there is a wide age group and it has a family picnic feel. thursday

Let’s get down to the music, starting off on Thursday evening we were entertained by King Rollo, Grainne Duffy and Larry Miller. For me Grainne and her band were the stand out act of the evening, she has a wonderful stage presence that grips you from the first note, with a voice to die for. She is certainly heading for the top if her live performances are anything to go by.

Friday

Today we were treated to a cornucopia of music with David Rafael, Hat Fitz & Cara Robinson, Giles Robson, Freddie V All Stars, The Revolutionaires, Never the Bride and Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings. It’s difficult to pick out a stand out band from this array of musical talent, so I will go for the band who lights up any festival with their energy and stage presence, I have to admit some bias as they are from the North East, it’s the Revolutionaires. I defy anyone to stay still during their performances. Though most of the audience on that day had flocked in to see Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings I have to say that thy were very lacklustre for my taste. saturday sunday

The sun is beating down. Zoe Schwarz, Babajack, Rodney Branigan, Fowokan, Matthew Lee and Mud Morganfield were all on the bill today, another day of artists that took your breath away. Babajack performed songs from their new CD with their new line up and really gave an outstanding performance. But I have to say my favourite was Mud Morganfield. Mud and his band just get better and better, he is now making a path for himself in his own right, make sure you catch him next time he is in the UK.

Well, its he last day of the festival and the heat of the sun is not so intense today, but that’s not to say the day or the line up had waned in any way. Goldie Reed, Woody Mann, Bushman Brothers, Sarah Savoy And

The Francadians.

Rufus Stone, Jo Harman, Chris Farlowe and the Norman Beaker band. There were some surprising new talents for me in the shape of Goldie Reed who has a stunning voice and a great band, drawing her influences from some of my favourite musicians, Tom Waits, Alison Krauss, Patty Griffin, Eva