L Fest offers a great day of musical entertainemnt on opening day

It's not exactly been festival weather so far this year, so my partner and I weren't looking forward to the weekend, especially after all the downpours. And having a partner that has an affliction to mud isn't the best thing in the world when planning to go to a festival.

Luckily we live locally, so a 45 minute drive to Shrewsbury was no bother!! The skies looked awful, forecast was for constant down pours, so wet weather gear it was and wellies, oh joy!

The showers were intermittent, on/off, on/off, but we were all kitted out. We got to the festival very early and were quite gobsmacked how small it was, every was in the vicinity of a hop, skip and jump, which was cool.

L Fest is not just a festival, it's a family orientated event, they cater for kids too, not just music either, there's workshops galore and even talks by famous authors, there's the climbing wall and archery to do as well, even power kiting, there was even a masquerade ball and music into the early hours to bop the night away.

There were a few stalls there and obviously a few drinking establishments, which became apparent later with a few drunken escapades and mud fighting, hilarious:

I have witnessed some funny dancing in my time, but tonight it was apparent that some of the people had nothing on John Cleese who was the king of funny walks, I was in stitches.

The arena stage was quite small, but just right for this type of event and the artists that were playing.

We saw every act on Saturday, except one, first up was Laura Catlow, a native of Blackpool, a songwriter and talented musician, unfortunately we missed her act due to going to the loo and looking at the lush merchandise they had on sale. Wicked bracelets lol.

Managed to catch our first act, Lucy Spraggan, I loved her, you can see why she was second in the National UK Live and Unsigned competition and why she’s bagged a support slot on the up and coming Joan Armatrading Tour.

Roses and Pirates were very ballsey, loved their tenacity on stage, you can see why they've previously supported Skunk Anansie, totally loved them.

Ladette Charlotte Oram, reminded me slightly of a woman version of Ed Sheeran, wicked vocals with amazing tunes, even told stories in-between songs, one about how she proposed to her girlfriend and wrote a song about it.

One of my favourite acts of the day (I had Three!!), the lead singer was amazing, she could've sang on her own and I would've still been mesmerised, ballsey songs, vibrant and upbeat, loved their passion and energy on stage.

Eek were a surprise, they looked like a gang of reprobates, you know hadn't bothered to get ready to go on stage, but boy god could they sing, an all girl band with a mix of LFest to boot.

Christina Novelli, I must admit to not really liking Ms Novelli, I saw her at GoGo Festival and to be honest thought she was over rated, but tonight changed my mind.

Dressed in a black 'BOY' cap, covered in tattoos, never seen so many! Wearing a sweatshirt and something like 'TOM' shoes, she had a guitarist for company and didn't disappoint. Worth a watch for sure.

One of the surprises of the night, Joan Ov Arc, they blew my bloody ears off and I totally loved it, seen this girl band before and boy can they rock, they put the men to shame. I could've watched a 90 minute set to be honest, I didn't tire of any of their set. The lead guitarist has certainly got some spunk and can show Richie Sambora a thing or too lol. Awesome, awesome band.

Kenelis, well what can I say, definitely not my type of thing, although I must give the girl her dues, she definitely has passion and knows how to rock out. Sorry I didn't connect with the music, maybe I'm just an old fart!! (No agreeing please)

Highlight of the day was Jill Jackson, Scottish Songbird, with her amazing band, FRAZZLE on lead guitar, lovely guy and he can make that guitar sing, the amazing Lorna Thomas on bass, who is hilarious and there is so much banter between her and Jackson, it's amazing to watch. Sorry Mr Drummer, its usually Lisa Tring on Drums, so I hadn't a clue what his name was.

All the Jackson Lemmings gathered at the front of the stage, it was a nightmare, not in a nasty way though, I kept at stage left or right as it was a free for all, moshing, dancing, drinking, singling, clapping, jumping, even crutch waving and trying to take a photographer out; Lots of heckling and shouting Ms Jackson between songs.

I love this singer she is way too underrated for me and should be so out there, her albums are cleverly written and some of her songs are absolute masterpieces, her band really complements her vocals and she thrives on stage with every song. The set was blistering, songs from all her albums, just wish she had been on forever, I never ever tire of her lush vocals, it seriously is music to my ears. (Anyone reading this book her, lol).

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