SLAMFEST 2013
The much
over hyped Slamfest Blog is upon you. As
exciting as the Festival itself some say. Let’s start with a huge and mammoth thank you
to everyone who took part and made the Festival such a fantastic success in
2013.
This was our
second attempt at a FREE for all grass roots Music Festival featuring and
showcasing mainly Rotherham based Bands – but certainly 99.8% South Yorkshire
Bands.
Thanks to the
musicians who gave of their talent and time freely; “freely” in all its meanings. From the first chord played by Temptation
(making their on stage debut) in all Saints Square on Saturday, to the final
one from veterans of the local music scene Haze on the Main Marquee Stage at
Clifton Park on the Sunday it was music of an incredible standard throughout.
To get the
musicians to stage though took a herculean effort by RAE’s Rock God, Mick Hill,
to bring together 86 Bands across ten stages, eight of them on the
Saturday. He in turn was being given
amazing support from the whole RAE Team of Volunteers, Sponsors, local business
advertisers and the Council Teams in the Town Centre and Clifton Park.
Special
thanks to Dan Cooper for donating the Main Stage Sound, The Minx for whipping
the Volunteers into order and of course Bristol Street Motors (Commercial)
Chesterfield without who’s support the whole event would not have got off the
blocks and RMBC via Ken Wyatt for saving the Park event by finding the money
for Security and Portaloos, and Amanda’s Blinds for supporting the Marquee
stage.
There were a
couple of hiccups. Once again The Trades
who seem to be jinxed were inconvenienced by a late start due to technical
problems and two Bands failing to turn up and not telling us. Over at Memory Lane where the Youth Stage had
played out during the Saturday afternoon, the Indie Stage starting at tea time
had a few problems when Bands failed to check what they needed to bring by
checking with us prior to the event.
Then on Sunday complete horror, the electricity supply to the Band Stand
failed, and then under the heat of the sun we had an equipment melt down, but
managed to get going in the end. Our
thanks to Clive Davies, he of The Chequers, Whiston Open Mic fame, for Managing
a difficult situation, and our thanks to the two Bands who failed to show, once
again not having the courtesy to inform us, who made it possible to give
everyone their spots with the exception of Phil Sinclair to whom we apologise
completely for the circumstances that caused such inconvenience. Our thanks too to the Bands that hung around
at the Bandstand not really knowing what had happened.
On the
subject of equipment, we try our best.
We did not have the money to buy Sound in as we would like, we know that
in at least three venues concerns were expressed. It’s something that in 2013 we not able to do
anything about it – please be assured we will be better equipped in 2014.
So, it’s pleasing
to report that 99.5% of Slamfest went off without a hitch.
Behind the
scenes I can assure you that things were not quite so relaxed and on the Friday
night, when nothing more could be done Mick and I were wondering just why we
were putting ourselves through the wringer for a second year running. By 8:00pm on the Saturday we knew. The smiling faces of music lovers of all ages
amongst the audience and on Stage said it all, many of whom do not get access
to live music, except for free open events like Slamfest.
Open access
is what Slamfest is about and while there remain some sceptics and knockers ,
and some who consider themselves too big or established to play for free it’s
noteworthy that most musicians enjoyed the chance to play the Festival and
joined in the fun of the event.
To those who
knocked the organisation of the Event, I say, the door is always open to you to
come and help make Slamfest 2014 the best yet. Email info@rotherhamartevents.com or
pop into the Drop In Centre
This year
Slamfest started with debts still outstanding from Slamfest 2013 despite
personal injections of money from Mick and I.
Fortunately the businesses concerned were supporters of Slamfest and we
thank them for their patience. Thanks
to the great efforts of our Volunteers over the weekend and our Commercial fund
raisers it looks as if we’ve “broke even”, not bad given we didn’t have a penny
on the 1st February this year.
Thanks to everyone who bought
raffle tickets (fantastic prizes from Key Automotive Solutions, Amanda’s Blinds
and RAE) T. Shirts and or put money into our buckets, every penny will help us
mount Slamfest 2014.
The official
estimates of audience throughout the weekend was around 2,500 – 3,000, as
people sampled the music on the main stages in All Saints Square and Clifton
Park and around the venues: at least three of which were packed from noon to
late.
One thing
about Festivals is that you can’t always get to see the Acts you would
like. What follows is simply a sample of
the Bands I got to see over the weekend.
Temptation – a new Band to the
Rotherham scene, doing pop and light rock covers. Slamfest was their debut and a great job they
did of opening the Festival with a really entertaining set – the Band are still
building their repertoire, but I can see them being ultra-popular on the
Weddings and Club circuit.
Up the Hill
the best kept secret of Slamfest, the Acoustic Stage was in action at the Imperial Building with smooth blues
from Chris, a bit of Indie from Sam, the wonderful voice of Karen
accompanied by the smooth guitar work of Nigel – collectively known as Swansong Acoustic. Ian
Whitehouse made up the full Bill.
Thanks to ROAR and Gemma for making such a brilliant environment for the
artists, and the tea.
Up at the High House Clive and the guys of the Makeshiftz were rocking it out to a
packed courtyard. Clive proved to be a
God send for the whole weekend, taking charge of the High House Stage on
Saturday and taking over at the Bandstand on Sunday. Volunteers like Clive can join us any
day. Thanks mate.
Thanks also goes out to the other stages where at Memory Lane the young bands did their stuff and some of the Indie Bands also played. The Trades, a little bit late in starting but they got going in the end and of course The Bridge where the Punk and Alternative Stages were housed. We've already been approached by some new venues for next year's event.
Back to All
Saints Square and I got there just in time to see X-static. This was an
amazing thirty minutes of high octane Punk and one of the highlights of the
afternoon, made even more special as they were called into action at only
fifteen minutes notice. Having finished
on the Main Stage, off they went to the High House where lead singer Kelvin
Caudwell gave a second stunning performance.
Jump forward to 8:15pm and Kelvin was again in action at The Bridge this time with his Band the Shambollix, where he treated us to an
hour of Punk at it’s very best. Dedication from these brilliant musicians to
the Slamfest cause has not been missed and I know that real cash Gigs will soon
be offered this side of the Doncaster line.
I also
caught the end of a really interesting set from Mynas. A wonderful mix of
instruments making for a truly unique sound that enthralled the audience and
won the Band an exceptional cheer at the end of their sets.
Finishing
the evening in the Square came Blind
Drivers, quickly followed by Havana
Rocks, and rock they certainly did, holding the audience captive until closing
time at 8:00pm
I also
called in on a packed Charters where
I wanted to catch another new Band to the Rotherham music scene, Naked Punch. Coots new project along with Volunteer Sam
and his ladies. It was a bit hot and uncomfortable
so I didn’t really get to listen properly, so I’m looking forward to taking a
more relaxed listen when they play Live At The Trades on the 10th
August.
Sunday
turned into a bit of a special day.
All the
Bands playing the Marquee Stage turned
in outstanding performances, from veterans of the Rotherham Rock scene Black Toad, who kicked off the day’s
festivities; the tree climbing exploits of Pocketful
of N’owt had the sound engineers
climbing the walls; the young developing
talent of Whiskey Spirit; the
outrageous and brilliant musical theatre of Rob Tarana & Third Gold Bird ; Swansong in magical full rock mode, the best I’ve seen from the
outfit; The original sounds of Lesoir who had travelled from Holland:
local heroes Searching for Sylvia smooth
as ever; Goat Leaf who we had to transfer from the Bandstand at the last
minute really rocked with people dancing around throughout the Park; and all
being topped by the superb Haze with
their very individual folk rock fusion, and also boasting the youngest person
to appear on stage – it certainly won the ahhhh of the day. I doubt that we could have put a better mix
of music and entertainment together for nine hours.
And let’s
not forget the Bandstand, where we
saw some brilliant solo performances from Nic
Harding, Em who after smelling
burning bravely played through her own mini PA.
Loved both these super singers, two very individual and different
styles, and both very effective.
Mark Jacksons Criminal Waste of Talent
put on a brilliant comic punk experience, that had the audience jumping around,
while the bits I caught of Red Jester
and The Torn certainly had the
Bandstand vibrating to the beat.
Finally
special thanks to Diamond Velocity,
who finished the evening off on the Band Stand as unexpected headliners, and
had the audience rockin’.
You may have
noticed that there were a lot of photographers at Slamfest. RAE will be mounting a big Exhibition of the
best pictures at the Drop In Centre starting 16th September, but
more of that later.
And one
final thank you to Delta Audio Solutions
– lead by Dan Cooper and his team Sound Engineers who provided the sound for
All Saints Square and the Marquee Stage and sorted the problems on the Band
Stand Stage FREE OF CHARGE. Without
this support Slamfest would not have happened.
Here is a Company that understands what RAE is all about and have done
so much to make our projects a reality.
The debt we owe to Dan and his Team is beyond measure.
End of
Slamfest reflections. You can find
pictures from the event HERE
Slamfest
will be back in 2014 and while not giving too much away it will be bigger and
will retain it’s FREE to all price tag.
The planning has already started.
Other RAE News
The Get
Creative Workshops held at the Drop In are gaining in popularity with every
session. They take place every three
weeks or so and cover a different Craft each evening. They are going to try a few Saturday
Workshops very soon. Pop into the Drop
In to pick up a flier.
The Live at The Trades has been
bouncing along. There has been some
comment concerning the upcoming excellent Autumn and Winter programme because
of the number of Tribute Nights. We make
no apology for this, as we will be having local original Bands playing in a
supporting role and we retain a number of evenings which will be exclusively
original Bands from the area.
Unfortunately we have to face up to commercial realities, as do some
Bands; it all comes down to pulling power and we have to answer to The Trades
for audience numbers. As was pointed out
when we launched the project, we have to put 100 bums on seats minimum for each
event and frankly some of the attendances have been very disappointing while on
the positive side we’ve had some fantastic nights, and we’ve taken note of what
pulls an audience.
And to prove how experimental Live At The
Trades remains our next offering is top European Psychedelic Acid Rock
Band, Vibravoid and Rob Tarana’s
Spriral Navigators st July. We then have Led Into Zepplin, one of the
best Tribute Bands in the UK followed on 10th
August a FREE NIGHT featuring no less than FIVE local Bands. Habberdash;
Waiting for Eddie; Naked Punch; The
Hearts and topping the Bill Sneaking
Stupidity.
RAE will be
playing a role with RMBC; ROAR and Inspire Rotherham on 31st August
2013, originally our Busking Day which is now incorporated into Rotherham’s
Street Art Ferretstival – yes you read correctly. Hobby Ferrets will be made and raced, there
will be buskers, circus, pavement chalkers, street theatre, moving models,
puppets and puppet making, story making and telling – all packed into one fun
day. Oh and real ferrets too.
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS: We’re holding an initial meeting of the
Volunteers at the Drop In Centre on Saturday 27th July. If you would like to help make this
fantastic day to finish the Summer Holidays a sensational day, come along and
join the team. Or if you can’t make it
this Saturday Email your interest HERE
WE NEED BUSKERS AND STREET ARTISTS: If you would like to perform, Busk,
etc. please contact us, and describe
what you do by – Email HERE and we
will pass the information onto the relevant Organiser.
RAE are also
building a series of Workshops to run at The Drop In Centre during the Autumn
and Winter. We would like to hear from
anyone with a skill that they think might be of interest to others and will
make an interesting Workshop, We are
hoping to get funding, so don’t be shy. Email HERE
or drop in to The Drop In.
RAE have
also developed a relationship with Rotherham Titans Rugby Club. We’ll be approaching Bands and Acoustic Acts
in the near future for a bit of noise on Fridays and a regular Monthly
Sunday Acoustic Evening.
OTHER STUFF
I’ve got a file
bulging with stuff that I should be telling you about – and I will, but not
now. I will simply point you towards
Acoustic
Rotherham 18 28th
July more detail HERE
Word Pit
4 – some of the best words from our local poets. HERE
Slamfest
Pictures. HERE
Live at The Trades Booking and Programme HERE
And of
course our regularly updated LISTINGS
PAGE, HERE
So, whatever
you are doing, until the next time, please have great fun, support your local
artists and events and KEEP IT LIVE
