VEF 50: "Between sets one could feel the expectancy" the 1976 festival review by Errol Groves
An army of part-time roadies, an old Charlie Chaplin & cowboy movie playing as a backdrop and the people sent still dancing out into the warm summer night.
The First Annual Festival Of Folk Country & Rock Music, as reviewed in 1976 by the late Errol Groves.
After an afternoon of fine music and entertainment culminating in a great set by Axis, Paul Perrio took over and captivated the tea-time audience with a mellow, roll along selection of songs including some of his Dylan favourites, with of course the Perrio stamp on them.
Paul at his best and in his element playing to a large receptive audience, great to see him out again and going down so well with a very varied crowd.
Paul Perrio at his best and in his element playing to a large receptive audience
Gulliver were next and carried things gently into the evening with some lovely music and harmonies and nice and easy pleasant listening. I should expect quite a few new faces at their regular playing places after their reception at the festival.
I should expect quite a few new faces at Gulliver's regular playing places after their reception at the festival.
Between sets one could feel the expectancy as Mirkwood prepared to come on and get it on they did, taking a couple of numbers to move into full flight and then there was no stopping them.
Mirkwood taking a couple of numbers to move into full flight and then there was no stopping them.
Once Dougie arrived and got blowing on the old sax the atmosphere rose to a new high. Some doubted the wisdom of having Mirkwood on so early in the evening but I feel they fulfilled the organisers faith in them as being the best band to get things rocking into the night, by the end of their set the area in the centre of the castle was alive with happy smiling dancing people. A powerful sound from Mirkwood with Dave and Pete’s guitars really blending into each other.
Some doubted the wisdom of having Mirkwood on so early in the evening but...by the end of their set the area in the centre of the castle was alive with happy, smiling dancing people
Time to ease it out a little again, get laid back and let Sam and Huck take us along, now pretty starry-eyed and laughing as the nearly full moon peaked above the castle walls. As usual we had a great set and, again, as normal, people really opened up to their particular brand of magic.
Let Sam and Huck take us along, now pretty starry-eyed and laughing as the nearly full moon peaked above the castle walls.
They had to put up with periodical buzz from a faulty mike which might have marred their set had they allowed it, but they rode it well and left the now 2500 strong crowd buzzing ready for Tempus and some good strong rock.
Darkness was fully upon us, the moon now hung bright and fat over the castle, as Tempus took the stage, just two weeks after their marathon gig at the previous Northern Venture Unit Castle concert. They moved through a fine rocky set visually enlivened with the lights and an old Charlie Chaplin and cowboy movie.
"Darkness was fully upon us, the moon now hung bright and fat over the castle"
As the applause died down and Tempus’s gear was quickly whisked off stage by the army of part-time roadies, the B.J.J.B Band prepared for their set and the last of a super day.
They rocked into “Shoot out into China Town” and after a couple of numbers really started to boogie along by this time the people were crowding up to the stage, dancing merrily just in front or standing soaking up as much as they could of the warm friendly feeling that had grown with the music throughout the day.
by this time the people were crowding up to the stage
As had been hoped, after an encore and strong appeals for another, the B.J.J.B band’s music sent the people smiling and some still dancing out into the warm summer night.
...the B.J.J.B band's music sent the people smiling, and some still dancing out into the warm summer night.
