Cabbage Massive whip up a storm at Off The Tracks Spring Festival

Saturday was a trifle wet to start with and I didn't make an early start by any means. Copious amounts of real ale supped whilst listening to the jam session in the bar meant that I went to bed with the dawn chorus ringing in my ears...

The 1st band I saw were Warblefly with original songs of people and places. They were charming indeed.

Martin Simpson followed with his sublime folk/blues and slide guitar. Truly a master musician, (there were times when I thought "how does he do that?!") A friend of mine, Darth, summed him up succinctly... "fu**ing good."

Inside in the barn there was also folk music with the delightful The Kittiwakes followed by Oka Vanga. There was then, as it said in the festival notes a beer break. Well who am I to disagree with advice like that?

El Mahico re-opened the main stage with gusto. As the sun broke through the clouds El Mahico's hi energy rapping, scratching up tempo, hypnotic Latin beats quickly got the sold out crowd to their feet. Following them was a DJ set from the Alabama 3 with a mix of old skool classics and wicked beats before they took to the stage proper. The full live band was excellent, playing to a packed, swaying, dancing courtyard. Many folk came just to see the Alabama's and I think all went away happy. Funky, laid back country acid blues washed over the adoring audience. There were many croaky, hoarse voices on Sunday morning!

Meanwhile indoors, the Cabbage Massive where whipping up a storm all of their own. The Wobbly Squadron initiated proceedings followed by DJ Bez who was in turn followed by the band OOOD and soundly rounded off by DJ Purusha. Again, lots of happy, sweaty, people emerging from the barn.

Another long night followed for me as I took in the jam session in the bar before we were turned out at around 4a.m. off to bed as the birds were waking up again.

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