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home » festivals » Big Session Festival » Big Session Festival 2010
Big Session delivers a wealth of musical choice on second dayBig Session Festival 2010 reviewTuesday 22nd June 2010 The Saturday at Big Session is the only complete day of music, across all three stages. It's an especially varied day, ranging through traditional folk such as headliner Kate Rusby, via stomping dub/reggae from Dreadzone and to indie-pop newcomers Stornaway. It also includes a two hour ceilidh. That something like this can take up two hours of prime stage time on one of the main stages differentiates Big Session from some of it's more mainstream cousins. Crucially, the variety of acts on show also confirms that this definitely not a straight up folk festival, but a crossover showcasing all manner of talent.
It should also be noted that because the festival is so small, it is so easy to spend a while wandering around, looking at the many choices for lunch, catching a bit of something here, a bit of something there, and generally soaking up the delightful atmosphere. As such, two hours can pass you by without you realising, and you just don't mind. Therefore Miles Hunt and Erica Nockalls are the next band to be caught, also in the Big Top. They peddle a relaxed brand of acoustic songs and are perfect for the sunny afternoon. So we come to another of the Oysterband offshoots. This time going by the name of Holy Bandits, they are in fact the whole of Oysterband (plus a couple of guests) playing the entirety of their classic Holy Bandits album. Whilst there are some initial sound issues, the atmosphere in the tent is fabulous. There is a real sense of a special moment, and the band feed off the crowd as much as the crowd feed off them.
Lets get the preconceptions over with. Yes, they did do Tubthumping. No, they do not play it. They don't even sound like it. What they are is a revelation, and proof that music can still be interesting and fresh. They work largely in an a capella form, occasionally incorporating instruments such as accordion, trumpet and guitar. Indeed, there is even one moment in a song that uses the dreaded vuvuzela that has been terrorising audiences throughout the World Cup in South Africa. They are a mighty triumph, and whilst still as politically minded as ever, they don't push it down their audience's throats.
Whether it's a laid back number, or a more upbeat song, they perform perfectly. The more melancholy tracks in particular, awash with beautiful keys, are lovely. They are tipped for the top, and on this showing they will make it with ease. A revelation.
It is a choice that is justified the second they walk out on stage. Combining dubby moments, with reggae guitar and vocals, some killer beats from both drummer and electronics and the filthiest bass lines known to man, they raise an entire tent to their collective feet. Incredibly loud, and with the bass so huge it shakes all your internal organs into one jelly-like mush, they, quite simply, rock you to your very core, and hammer the final nail in the 'Big Session is a folk festival' coffin.  review by Phil Grimley photos by Phil Bull
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