singers belt out shanty after shanty on first night at Bromyard Folk Festival
Bromyard Folk Festival 2009 review
Friday 25th September 2009
The Festival proper starts just after dark at 8pm by which point most have been welcomed on site by Morris men stewards, pitched or parked up and begun supping a brew. As the site is quite small the first night bimble is a bit limited.
Family band The Tindalls kick things off in the Wye Valley Brewery Stage whilst there is a dance for those sure of their feet in the Ceilidh House. In the Arts Centre there is a concert featuring favourites 4Square, and Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies the Wye Valley Brewery Tent has a show with Faustus followed by Seth Lakeman. Faustus's performance is well attended and very entertaining. A 450 year old tune is given the Hendrix treatment with Benji Kirkpatrick playing wahwah bouzouki. Aunt Crisps? is brilliantly done.
The set is very well received by an appreciative audience for many of whom Faustus are the night's main attraction. Benji Kirkpatrick is back on stage again after Faustus playing in Seth Lakeman's band. Ladies' favourite Seth takes the stage with his familiar strut and launches straight in to an energetic hoedown set featuring many of his hits. Seats to the front of the Stage have been removed so Seth's fans form a throng about his feet which adds to the 'gig' feel.
After the concert finishes around midnight there is still singing in the Arts Centre where Graeme Knights and The Young'Uns, amongst others, are putting on a tribute to popular singer Johnny Collins who died on tour earlier in the summer. No microphones are needed as the singers belt out shanty after shanty with various performers taking and leaving the stage on an emotional and heartfelt night.
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