12/07/2008

Ely Folk Festival - Friday night report

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The British Summer.... wind and rain, luckily being British we are prepared for it with wellies, umbrellas and copious amounts of booze. The sold out 23rd Ely Folk Festival got underway with undaunted crowds enjoying the friday line up of Al Lindsay, Shambolica, Colvin Quarmby and Saor Patrol.

Al Lindsay
We had a chat with Al just before his slot, turns out he hasn't performed for over six months but you wouldn't have guessed that from his performance. He led the audience on a chorus of singing in the rain before performing some of his songs and a few covers such as John Martyn's 'May You Never'. Great voice with a lively guitar style; we'll get an interview with him before the weekends out.
http://www.myspace.com/allindsay

Shambolica
You know when you see some people and you immediately think they are happy warm types, well Shambolica are firmly in that set. Several times I tramped past them in the rain and each time we got a smile or a wisecrack that made light of the drizzle. On stage they ramp up this warmth and delivered a set of delicious songs, Kerry Blooms rich vocals drew people from the beer tent into the main marquee, they entertained the crowd with their Americana tinged songs and belted out a great cover of the Eurythmics 'Who's That Girl'. Definitely a band to check out as they have just released their debut CD.
http://www.myspace.com/shambolica

Colvin Quarmby
This 5 piece have a quote on their MySpace page 'Refreshingly Different Acoustic Music!' They certainly defy categorisation, they have the mix of acoustic and electric instruments just right. Coming across a something like the Pogues meeting Fairport Convention via a huge sugar rush they delivered a set of deeply original feel good folk rock.
http://www.myspace.com/colvinquarmby

Saor Patrol
They were delayed travelling to the Fest, yet strode on stage as relaxed and assured as if they had been there all day. They are an incredible sight, as if the mountains of Scotland had come to life and marched down to the Fens. Three of them on drums and two on bagpipes created such a pulsing rhythm of sound that the damp crowd were dried off in the blast of the Highland sonic attack. They may look fearsome but their banter and sheer enjoyment of what they were doing endeared them to the crowd. No wonder they were asked back after last year's performance.
http://saorpatrol.com/introduction_to_saor_patrol.htm

So, it's saturday, it begins again... off to the site to film, interview and maybe have a small glass of ale...

Click here to check out the picture gallery on our Ely Festival page

Check back for updates all through the weekend!

Iain Hazlewood