Elsie Heffsey
Roofer
Probably the best couple of days (Saturday and Sunday) for a few years (I never bother with Friday night).
Saturday - Cymande superb as ever and Annie and the Caldwells were fantastic. Jordan Rakei pretty good but really Cymande should have headlined. Mate thought Sampa the Great was the best act.
One I'd never heard of and perhaps need to hear more of - Close Counters.
Saturday night improved by the music stopping at 9.45 and it suddenly becoming a 5000 strong England fan zone where local lads Bellingham and Rodgers played an important role - need I say more.
Sunday - Top of the bill Jalen Ngonda and Thee Sacred Souls both delivered polished throwback soul.
Others I knew little or nothing about included Emma-Jean Thackray, Don West and Olive Jones.
Olive Jones was the one for me - great voice, skilled musician and lyric writer - really really good.
Emma also I highly skilled musician. Not as silky as Olive Jones but good.
Don West - well where do I start.
Think a merger of a white version of Teddy Pendergast/Frank Worthington does blue eyed soul and you're something near (or as my mate said a 70' Italian footballer doing soul karaoke - although with a proper singing voice).
There wasn't a woman within 20 metres of the stage without a smile on their face. 'Move those hips ladies, that's what they're for'!
Saturday - Cymande superb as ever and Annie and the Caldwells were fantastic. Jordan Rakei pretty good but really Cymande should have headlined. Mate thought Sampa the Great was the best act.
One I'd never heard of and perhaps need to hear more of - Close Counters.
Saturday night improved by the music stopping at 9.45 and it suddenly becoming a 5000 strong England fan zone where local lads Bellingham and Rodgers played an important role - need I say more.
Sunday - Top of the bill Jalen Ngonda and Thee Sacred Souls both delivered polished throwback soul.
Others I knew little or nothing about included Emma-Jean Thackray, Don West and Olive Jones.
Olive Jones was the one for me - great voice, skilled musician and lyric writer - really really good.
Emma also I highly skilled musician. Not as silky as Olive Jones but good.
Don West - well where do I start.
Think a merger of a white version of Teddy Pendergast/Frank Worthington does blue eyed soul and you're something near (or as my mate said a 70' Italian footballer doing soul karaoke - although with a proper singing voice).
There wasn't a woman within 20 metres of the stage without a smile on their face. 'Move those hips ladies, that's what they're for'!