Band Review
It was the end of July and the end of another school year. The 40th Glastonbury passed us by and we waited in anticipation for Reading and V. Yes we’d had the excellent Festival Too but what about a local music event with a proper festival feel. I give you WATSTOCK west Norfolk’s very own mini music festival. July 24th and 25th saw the young and old descend upon our lovely village of Watlington on foot, by car and many taking the opportunity to make British Rail their designated driver!
Watstock 10, our third offering had an eclectic mix of original and covers bands, some brand new bands and some local favourites among the 17 acts performing. Gates opened at 10am giving the early arrivals a chance to look around the vast array of attractions before the music kicked off at 11 with Ipswich youngsters ROGUES CRADLE; they were followed by the very rootsy blues/folk style of THE PROPOSITION. The blues stayed with us although much more up-tempo as the superb and respected SMOKING HOGS took to the stage with a front man whose ego was as big as his waistline.
Things really warmed up as Norwich 5 piece rock/funk outfit FREUDIAN SLIP performed to an ever-growing carpet of sun-kissed villagers and townie’s. 3pm meant it was time for Neil Houghton and Jay Harrison of the BIRKS to set the stage alight with their cult sing along tunes and unique style. Even without the rest of the band this acoustic duo are real stars. The teens took over at 4pm, the Girls were screaming and boys were moshing as the fast immerging rock/rap act UNDER THE INFLUENCE stirred up frenzy.
They were followed by the hugely popular and talented JIMMY ROCKIT. These young lads ooze class and it’s no surprise they are very close to being signed. Watstock veterans the HOODWINKS took us into the evening followed by ‘super group’ HOLMAM, HILTS, DELANEY with their self-indulgent retro rock style. They performed huge covers by Cream, Hendrix & Neil Young and ended their set with fantastic, hairs up on the back of the neck rendition of Hey Jude which had everyone singing along.
KLFM Battle of The Band’s finalists FIRST EFFECTS rocked our prime time slot at 8.30 followed by our headline act. They needed absolutely no introduction; quite simply they are THE BRINK. After last years stunning Sunday headline set they again didn’t disappoint with their mix of soft rock covers and catchy originals, a great way to end the night. At 1am I finally hit the sack knowing I’d be back on the field at 8am that morning to do it all again!
As I woke Sunday the weather was slightly more overcast although I was hopeful of another sunny day. By 12pm the Watstock team was ready to go again and what better way to start a slightly more chilled Sunday than with the relaxed acoustic sounds of LEE HODGKINSON. Lee was followed by the exceptionally talented and diverse PRETTY PEGGY who quite simply stopped the crowd in their tracks. However the birds were blown from the trees when up coming rockers WALKWAY took to the stage led by their Steve Tyler-esque front man and mind bending guitar solo’s.
Norfolk’s best-kept secret The Swelltones returned to Watstock and sounded better than ever before the grand finale to W10 saw us roll back the years firstly with the Mullets and espadrilles of superb 80’s tribute act THE WILDBOYS. You just knew it was party time when they opened with that ‘classic’ Rio by Duran Duran. Slightly behind schedule but definitely worth the wait it was time for BLONDIED, by far the biggest act to ever grace the Watstock stage. ‘Debbie Harry’ made 3 costume changes during her act and had the crowd, which included the Watstock organisers who finally had a chance to let their hair down, eating from the palm of her hands.
At this moment even if Watstock wasn’t your thing you couldn’t doubt what a fantastic event this was for the village. 100’s of people singing, dancing and enjoying themselves, isn’t this what village life is supposed to be about.