New festival, just outside a small village north of Fareham....
There were a few minor panics before the day, when, owing to an earlier than expected noise curfew (10:30pm) the schedule was rejiged and Bluehorses were on at the same time as the oystyboddle ... however we were given a 15 minute headstart.
The afternoon began with the usual gathering of the clans. I arrived first and had parked up in the field, when Andy phoned as he got into the area. Just after Andy, we bumped into Hev and Rob (almost litterally) as we were crossing the road. The usual welcoming huddles over we set off for the main festival ground, to pickup tickets and litter the afternoon crowd with flyers - gentle reminders to the masses that BH were on in the hall later .
The main area was wrapped around the Community centre (a massive place for such a village - slightly envious), so the first steps were around the retail "village" the excuse was distributing off flyers, but in reality it gave enveryone a chance to spot a bargain or two. On the way around the hall we met baggy boy and tasslehoff, as well as little Jonathan, who were also flying the BH flag. Then on to the main stage area and the massed ranks of camp chairs - all neatly alined in rows. Everyone was very pleaseant about the flyers, apart from one white haired old lady who refused to accept one - turned out to be Debs Peakes mum . There were a good number of BH tee shirts around, so things were looking up for later.
The rest of the afternoon was spent chilling in the campsite - before the spin up for the evening. We were due to unload the gear around 8pm, a quick sound check at 8:30 and then straight in at 9pm. Everything was a mad dash in the end... we assembeld the drum kit on the side of the carpark and loaded it through the back of the stage, while therest of the kit did the commuter shuffle thougth the side door whilst the gear from the band before - "the fold" was coming the other way.
9pm on the dot and the first bars of Cabbage train were blasting out of the speakers. By the time the community singing was in full voice in Witch in Wedlock the hall was at fire regulations capacity, and there was an over subscription - the headstart was being used to great effect . As the band moved into Billy Boy the Health and Safety person was checking out the sound levels - apparently Nic's drums were too loud, a quick check of the sound board showed that there was little if any amplification going on, and a minor adjustment to the overall level satisfied him and he went away as the the final notes of Blackleg Miner echoed around the room.
The oystyboddle had started up out side, so the volume went up a little again to cancel them out, whilst on the stage an old favorite - Hoedown reels had everyone bouncing in the Mosh pit. Night visit quickly followed and the audience were still packed to capacity.
Gravel walk gave the first respite from the relentless driving of the first 4 tunes. which then gave way into Crow on the Cradle and we back at fever pitch. Ostara/ Morrisons had the crowd back jumping in the mosh pit, with another dusty favorite Old haslams' Bitsaired for the first time in several years was met with some wild dancing on the floor. Not sure if this was the signal, or that the oysters were at about halfway, but some part of the crowd now moved out. However these were met by more people coming in - which evened it out.
All too soon we were at Twmbarlwm by way of Barbara Allen, Bigger Gun and Skyclad. Given the tight nature of the curfew and the desire of the band to play as many tunes as possible, they finsihed right on the dot, so diss-appointment for those in the crowd who were after an encore, but excellent value for money.
Afterwards there was a mad panic to clear the stage for Fiddlers Bid
to calm things down and bring the evening to an end. Once everything was packed up it all came to a close with the usual mass chat into the wee small hours - as I left it was well into Sunday morning, but there was no sign of any conclusion.
So next up .. Farmer Phil's .. another new one for me, and a friday night to boot
