Jools Holland provides a helter skelter ride of pure class to bring CarFest to a close

Carfest North 2014

Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd August 2014
Oulton Park Race Circuit, Little Budworth, Cheshire, CW6 9BW, England MAP
£135 with camping, child £33 - SOLD OUT

Daily capacity: 5,000

A follow on from Saturday, throbbing and blistered feet, but we soldier on, wonder what the weathers gonna be like today?? Wet weather gear or not?? Wellies at the ready! Well Sunday was amazing weather wise, but we didn’t take any chances so still wore our walking boots and gaiters, which when we got back to the car I actually had steam coming off my feet as I was so hot!!

Today was the day we were looking forward to most, as one of our favourite bands were on, my wife has been a fan since the year dot. In all seriousness I only saw Texas for the first time last year and was blown away, 6 rows from the front at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester and again at the Radio Two - Festival for a Day at Hyde Park, London: What a day that was as I actually got to interview Ms Spiteri, it was a pinch yourself moment, a moment that you wont forget ever.

Back to today, a varied mix again of musical acts ranging from Sophie Ellis-Bextor, The Feeling, to headliner Jools Holland. Seven bands/artist’s up today:

Bob Blakeley, rejected by The Voice’s all star judges, Stockport’s answer to Michael Buble, Blakeley shows if you’ve got a dream you’ve gotta go out there and get it. Contacted by music producer Mike Battafter his rejection and finally putting together his debut studio album ‘Performance’. He didn’t disappoint at all and he got so much praise from the audience.

Texas – Scotland’s finest, who have been around for years, their back catalogue is amazing if you see how many albums they have released and how many singles, they even did an arena tour at the height of their fame. Their back catalogue is full of absolute stonkers and a guarantee to get your foot tapping and your hips swaying from side to side, even an energetic jump might be the order of the day too.

Shame they were on first, especially as the bands energy was amazing. The 45 minute set went way too quick for my liking, I was disappointed when it finished, but meeting Spiteri after was fabulous.

10cc – I don’t know anything about 10cc? Forming in the 1970s, part of the British institution and still going strong!!?? With over ten albums spanning their career since ’73. All the older members of the audience were lapping it up, even my partner said "Ooohhh I do actually know some of their stuff."

The Feeling – I actually saw The Feeling support Bon Jovi quite a few years ago, at the Ricoh Stadium in Coventry,that was a funny mismatch if ever there was one. They seem to have a lot of happy clappy tunes! There was a big ‘Feeling’ contingent at the front, where they donned their posters of ever dying love for the band. The set was what I expected and it got the audience in the zone for Ms Bextor.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor the English singer, songwriter, model and occasional DJ. Hitting the big time in the UK in early 2000, guesting on Spillers ‘Groovejet’, which gave her a platform for her debut studio album ‘Read My Lips’, which reached number two in the UK charts. Hits such as ‘Murder on the Dance floor’ and ‘Take Me Home’. Touring with George Michael and releasing a greatest hits collection, shows just how far Bextor has come.

Headliner Jools Holland, Mr Holland is part of the musical establishment. He has given so many new artists a start off in the music biz because they’ve appeared on his BBC2 programme, including KT Tunstall.

He always gives 110% and provides an amazing show and tonight was like no other, he left the audience eating out of his hand. An hours set provided a helter skelter ride of pure class.

Although this weekend was kinda tiring, with yet more blisters on my feet and an aching back and shoulder through carrying a 25kg pack on my back, it was well worth taking part especially after seeing Chris Evans highly prized cars, being able to view the cars in the pit was like a childhood fantasy had come true.

The weather was a bit hit and miss but no one cared, they all had an amazing time, so did we. A definite hit by all accounts and one not to be missed next year.

review by: Michelle and Trish Owen-Williams

photos by: Michelle Owen-Williams