The Worcester Music Festival has something for everyone, from traditional Folk to any one of the many rock fusions, to cool traditional Jazz or Blues or contemporary song writers and experimental music. Even a full Bagpipe Band.
As a setting for a Festival you really can’t go wrong with Worcester with the classic Cathedral overlooking a commercial Centre made of narrow allies and precincts packed with all manner of shops.
The Masher first discovered this fantastic Music Festival last year, when in what turned out to be a long day he packed in two main appearances. This year was to be more relaxed as the whole weekend was cleared so that I could enjoy the full Festival and catch up with family and friends in the area.
What I love about this Festival is that it is obviously an event organised by musicians for musicians, offering opportunities to busk on the streets as well as perform in any one of the thirty plus Festival venues. And if that is not enough, there were plenty of Workshops one could attend from song writing to playing the Bohran.
All that appeared to be missing was a good old fashioned Sing Around or Open Mic Session going on.
All that appeared to be missing was a good old fashioned Sing Around or Open Mic Session going on.
Once again the number of artists seeking to play at the Festival far out stretched the number of slots available, I believe very nearly 2,000 acts applied for one of the 300 or so slots. So The Masher was mightily aware of the privilege of being invited to play the Festival for a second year.
While the Street Music was clearly in evidence along the main corridor of shops and in and around some of the shopping arcades, there did seem to be plenty of room for more this year, and there were parts of the Centre that seemed to be completely untouched, but it’s only a very minor criticism as there was than enough sound and action to catch one’s attention as I walked through the City.
This year the Guildhall Venue was taken over by the Folk Community. John Taylor, (he who is in charge) reports that over the weekend some eight hundred people visited the Concerts on offer. It’s one of the joys of this Festival that people can dip their toes into a Concert and move onto another venue without the artists becoming distracted.
A good few folks passed through while I was enjoying the sounds of Dryftwood, a trio who’s harmonies and song selection reminded me very much of Peter Paul and Mary. A bit of everything, from some nice original arrangements of traditional songs to some of their own material.
Just a foot note. The Guildhall also had an outdoor stage, which meant that as people entered and left by the main doors there was an unfortunate fusion of sound. Maybe next year while the outdoor stage is being used people might be directed to the side entrance into the main Hall.
On the outdoor stage I was lucky enough to catch a boy girl duo doing a mix of their own and cover material, mostly contemporary acoustic stuff, very nice, and I was particularly impressed by a Group of lads doing acoustic rock / pop using not only a wide range of instruments but a fantastic range of harmonies. Unfortunately I didn’t catch the name of either act. But enjoying my coffee in the sunshine they did much to brighten my day.
Fully refreshed I headed off to The Cricketers, my intention being to have a listen to Sam Eden who has played one of our Acoustic Rotherham events. Instead we managed to catch the last three numbers from a bluesy jazz group, the female lead singer had a voice to die for, and the start of a solo spot by another unlisted singer, because poor old Sam had gone down with tonsillitis. Get well soon mate.
After such a busy Saturday afternoon, it pass out time, and Sunday was to be a more relaxed build up to my Gig at The Cricketers. And so it was, with my dear Mother feeding me up at lunch time to the point that I was well mellow for the rest of the afternoon.
We arrived at The Cricketers in time to catch a set from Trio Rosbifs and Mathias Svensson, absolutely super cool traditional Jazz played in what might be described as the French style.
And then the good folks had to undergo the culture shock of The Masher set. I had deliberately cooled down the political stuff and added a few extra comic numbers, it’s always difficult getting the balance right. Anyway, it all seemed to be received pretty well as the audience attempted to make it’s mind to laugh or cry.
My heaviest critics, the family, all said it sounded quite good, so at least everything must have been in tune, well as near as I ever get to being I tune.
Following the Masher came Neil Morris. I had caught him out busking yesterday afternoon outside of Debenhams, but it was far more comfortable to sit back with a pint to listen to his rather interesting mixture of self-penned, covers and traditional songs.
So thank you Worcester for allowing me back, and big thanks to for Son Number 1 who had did all the driving for the weekend, The Mashers Mum, for putting up with him for two whole days, (a record for the past thirty years) and the rest of the Masher family for coming out to support their elder sibling.
Pictures can be found HERE or at the bottom of the page HERE in slide show form or by going to my Facebook Page HERE. Also don’t forget to pop across to my Facebook Band page and giving me a click on the old “LIKE" button, you can find it HERE, and if you’re an artist with a Reverbnation Account join us HERE
And it really would be good to see more of you Worcester acts bringing your music North, so if you fancy playing at one of our quarterly Acoustic Rotherham events ( which a few have already done) then get in touch. You can find out all about the Acoustic Rotherham events HERE and see what we get up to.
I’ll finish this section by publishing a picture of the artist that I think personifies the whole Festival event. This guy sat all day, fighting over the sound coming from the Piped Band, and break dancers playing his rather interesting percussion set up. Brilliant stuff and unfortunately he didn’t have CD to buy.
OK. It’s a bit early for reports from how things are going on in Whitby, and so far I’ve not found anyone who went to the Fakefestival in Rotherham last Saturday, but I live in hope.
A reminder that Neliie Folk is on tonight (Monday).
While on the subject of local musicians, I mentioned in last weeks “Update” Emailing that the Rotherham Show is this year to feature on the Saturday, in the Museum Library on the edge of Clifton Park, a Concert of some of the best of South Yorkshire and local Folk talent. Rob and Dave a fine harmonising partnership, Andy Hault no doubt playing his fantastic blend of blues and Jazz, Paul Pearson the steel City Troubadour and the always entertaining Lou Marriot will feature from 1:00pm to 2:30pm, after which there will be a two hour Singaround session. And all this will be going on while some of the Regional Pros will be doing their stuff in the Festivals Traditional Folk Tent.
This is something that Acoustic Rotherham has been urging should be done at the Festival for some time and it’s great to see that eventually someone has heard.
More details will appear HERE
As The Whitby Folk Week plays out don’t forget to check the Web pages of the various local Clubs and sessions to check if they are running. But there is still plenty going on.
Next Monday, Bank Holiday Monday, one assumes there will be the traditional Sing Song at The Commercial Chapeltown, always a great way to spend a Bank Holiday afternoon in good company and a few pints of some fine real ale. Not sure tough what this year’s format will be.
Stay at homes may be interested to know that the Shrewsbury Festival will be streaming all the activity on the Main Stage live throughout the weekend for free on their Web Site. You can find the link on the Diary page HERE
There are more CDs to be found on Dickie’s Sale Off Page HERE - With Worcester out of the way, many of the items will be finding their way onto Ebay over this week, it does not prevent you from buying via this page though. If it’s listed it’s still available.
And that’s it for another busy week folks. Whatever you are doing in the closing days of the Holidays have fun and Keep it live.
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