Parklive 2013 - Saturday 13th July 2013
Park Stage
I won't even go into the stress I had in making the Park Stage happen. Just accept that it was there, that I am a God amongst, well, Gods, and we shall move on. Thanks to Shaun and Sam from Blitz Event Solutions for saving me from certain disaster.
So, Saturday. In the park. A lovely, sunny day and an afternoon of music for the people. You'd have expected locals to get behind something like that, wouldn't you? I hoped so. All of the bands I asked to perform at Parklive, I chose because I think they are bloody good. The acts on this stage, this afternoon, were all my choices and if this went pear-shaped I couldn't blame it on anyone else. This was my stage and I was on my own. The marquee was not my baby (although I had booked most of the bands). This was personal.
So, Saturday. In the park. A lovely, sunny day and an afternoon of music for the people. You'd have expected locals to get behind something like that, wouldn't you? I hoped so. All of the bands I asked to perform at Parklive, I chose because I think they are bloody good. The acts on this stage, this afternoon, were all my choices and if this went pear-shaped I couldn't blame it on anyone else. This was my stage and I was on my own. The marquee was not my baby (although I had booked most of the bands). This was personal.
Lunar Fire
Of all the bands on over the weekend, Lunar Fire was the only one that I had not heard before. Although I had never seen Headsticks or Junker, I knew their songs already and I knew at least one band member. Lunar Fire, I was taking a punt on 'cos my friend, Chris Morgan, teaches the drummer. I figured that if Chris is teaching this youngster to play, they gotta be OK.
Their Facebook page declares that they are an Indie band from Cheshire. Well, being the fossil that I am, that meant nothing to me; I still think of The New York Dolls as Indie! But, if they were anything like that, everything would be fine. Yeah, not quite...
I can't say it's music that I understand, this 'indie' stuff but they were very good at it and, as other people seemed to be quite enjoying them, I went with it. I may have tapped my foot at one point but, if you quote me on that, I will deny it. Ah, slight flaw in my cunning plan there... Very young, very fresh, will get better with age and experience. I could be wrong but I think that this was one of their first gigs. As long as they remember me when I'm old and decrepit...
Their Facebook page declares that they are an Indie band from Cheshire. Well, being the fossil that I am, that meant nothing to me; I still think of The New York Dolls as Indie! But, if they were anything like that, everything would be fine. Yeah, not quite...
I can't say it's music that I understand, this 'indie' stuff but they were very good at it and, as other people seemed to be quite enjoying them, I went with it. I may have tapped my foot at one point but, if you quote me on that, I will deny it. Ah, slight flaw in my cunning plan there... Very young, very fresh, will get better with age and experience. I could be wrong but I think that this was one of their first gigs. As long as they remember me when I'm old and decrepit...
Dozinger
Young, angry, bittersweet and twisted. A sort of Billy Braggness about his attitude and delivery. Gotta love someone who puts so much emotion and I suspect, so much of himself into his songs. The fiery ginger ale of folky balladeers.
Oli Ng
Singer and guitar player with The Eyres. Very smooth and so talented it sickens me to my very core. He can play guitar, sing, write songs. I should want to slap him but I don't. I think he's pretty good, actually ;-)
Alex Aspin
I first saw Alex at a local talent competition. I was impressed that he played his own, original songs and not covers, which would have been much easier. I thought that took guts. His songs are chock full of things that are important to people his age and he delivers them in a fun, quirky manner.
Phil Maddocks & Nick Bayes
Really? You don't already know how I feel about these guys? You been living under a rock? Or, do you live in Biddulph? If I have to tell you how good Phil and Nick are you probably wouldn't get it. Just trust me and go and see them. The music is top notch and the performance is always spot on.
Jordan Cope
Another one of The Eyres. Also, a talented guitarist (with a very nice guitar), singer, and songwriter. I love his solo stuff. I first saw him at The Dirty Dozen, back in April and he impressed me enough to ask him to play at Parklive. You join the dots!
My Dinosaur Life
'My Dinosaur Life are [sic] a Crewe-based pop-rock three-piece.
With a polished perfection reminiscent of Jimmy Eat World in their prime, and armed with choruses that Feeder and the The All-American Rejects would be proud to call their own, the band have built up a solid reputation as one of the Cheshire scene's leading lights. Tipped for big things, the band's full-blooded live shows and arson of contagiously catchy pop-songs continue to win over every audience they play to.'
I caught MDL at The Dirty Dozen and, as I said at the time, I enjoyed them but they were totally new to me. So, when the opportunity came to put them on my stage at Parklive, I wanted this band to play. They are such fun and, yeah, pop/rock but they just have some good tunes, catchy lyrics, and they make you smile.
Sadly, this was their penultimate gig. :-(
With a polished perfection reminiscent of Jimmy Eat World in their prime, and armed with choruses that Feeder and the The All-American Rejects would be proud to call their own, the band have built up a solid reputation as one of the Cheshire scene's leading lights. Tipped for big things, the band's full-blooded live shows and arson of contagiously catchy pop-songs continue to win over every audience they play to.'
I caught MDL at The Dirty Dozen and, as I said at the time, I enjoyed them but they were totally new to me. So, when the opportunity came to put them on my stage at Parklive, I wanted this band to play. They are such fun and, yeah, pop/rock but they just have some good tunes, catchy lyrics, and they make you smile.
Sadly, this was their penultimate gig. :-(
Amy Condrey
Amy, I first saw play at The Rittz and Friends gig, at the back end of last year. Contemporaneously, I wrote:
'I'm not a fan, generally, of solo female singers, nor do I claim to know much about them. It is not my field of expertise. To this old grouch, they all sound alike and, well, I saw Joni Mitchell back in the day.'
I then went on to say how damn good she was. She was so good that she was one of the artistes I was sure HAD to play the Park Stage for me. It wasn't easy to get her there and I had to juggle some plates to make the slot work for her but, I'm sure glad I did.
She has a great voice and all that clever loop malarkey still impresses me. But, it's not just that. She is easy to listen to and her inter-song chat is funny and, quite enchanting. She comes across as relaxed and confident and it was a joy to have her play, even if she did tell me off for taking photos of her while she was sweaty. In my defence, the photos aren't too shabby.
'I'm not a fan, generally, of solo female singers, nor do I claim to know much about them. It is not my field of expertise. To this old grouch, they all sound alike and, well, I saw Joni Mitchell back in the day.'
I then went on to say how damn good she was. She was so good that she was one of the artistes I was sure HAD to play the Park Stage for me. It wasn't easy to get her there and I had to juggle some plates to make the slot work for her but, I'm sure glad I did.
She has a great voice and all that clever loop malarkey still impresses me. But, it's not just that. She is easy to listen to and her inter-song chat is funny and, quite enchanting. She comes across as relaxed and confident and it was a joy to have her play, even if she did tell me off for taking photos of her while she was sweaty. In my defence, the photos aren't too shabby.
Headsticks
'Where folk and punk collide to provide a passion infused commentary that is as raw and honest as it comes...'
I was very excited about, finally, seeing Headsticks live. I've been listening to their music for some time now and just love their brand of folk-rock-punk. To me, it has a sort of Familyesque quality to it, mainly because I hear a little Roger Chapman in the vocal but, having rediscovered Camper Van Beethoven, recently, I hear a bit of that in there too.
The songs are top notch and the musicians as good as any. In fact, for one of them, Nick Bayes, this was his third performance of the weekend, having already played with Junker, and Phil Maddocks. The songwriting is some of the best you will find, with songs like Flatline Town, Are you feeling great, Britain?, Paper Flowers, and Teenage Widow, really making you think.
It was important to me, personally, to have Headsticks close the Park Stage and they did a tremendous job of it. Their performance was one of the highlights of an extremely high-quality weekend of music. The number of people who came up to me and said that Headsticks were fantastic surprised even me. But, they weren't wrong. I've got to get this band back to Congleton, soon. Thanks guys!
I was very excited about, finally, seeing Headsticks live. I've been listening to their music for some time now and just love their brand of folk-rock-punk. To me, it has a sort of Familyesque quality to it, mainly because I hear a little Roger Chapman in the vocal but, having rediscovered Camper Van Beethoven, recently, I hear a bit of that in there too.
The songs are top notch and the musicians as good as any. In fact, for one of them, Nick Bayes, this was his third performance of the weekend, having already played with Junker, and Phil Maddocks. The songwriting is some of the best you will find, with songs like Flatline Town, Are you feeling great, Britain?, Paper Flowers, and Teenage Widow, really making you think.
It was important to me, personally, to have Headsticks close the Park Stage and they did a tremendous job of it. Their performance was one of the highlights of an extremely high-quality weekend of music. The number of people who came up to me and said that Headsticks were fantastic surprised even me. But, they weren't wrong. I've got to get this band back to Congleton, soon. Thanks guys!
And so, the Park Stage, MY stage, was done. I was so proud of all the artists who played during an incredibly hot Saturday afternoon. For my first venture into putting on a gig, it went better than I could have hoped but, I made mistakes and I know for next time how to improve it. Huge thanks to everyone but, especially, Shaun and Sam. You saved my bacon.