Boomerang Festival makes a very promising beginning

Boomerang 2015

Saturday 12th to Sunday 13th September 2015
Hickstead International Arena, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH17 5NU, England MAP
£45 per day

The Boomerang Festival is nestled just outside of Brighton in Hickstead. This is its first year and they have landed some very impressive artists. In fact, the headliners are worthy of a much more established, recognized festival.

First impressions: The festival is beautifully laid out; very clean and quite arty. There is a feeling of classiness about it and family orientation. The food venders seem to have been carefully considered and to a very high standard. Around the field there are various artists conducting visual arts. It all sets a lovely overall tone.

Saturday 12^th September 2015

Andreya Triana

Joking around with the crowd, it’s easy to see why this beautiful talented girl is a favourite of Jools Holland. Her fresh jazzy sound gives a welcome refreshing sound to the festival. Her comeback album has received critical acclaim and rave reviews.

The Shires

The Shires (aka Crissie Rhodes and Ben Earle) are already record breakers. They are the first British country act to score a UK top 10 album (for their debut Brave) and the first British act to sign to a major US country label. They get the crowd going in typical thigh slapping fashion.

The Proclaimers

Charlie and Craig Reid, also known as the proclaimers have been entertaining the crowds for well over 25 years. We are treated to some of their newer material but it’s the oldies such as 'I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)' and 'Sunshine on Leith' that the punters really enjoy.

Simple Minds: Boomerang 2015

Simple Minds

Simple Minds originally formed in 1977 but didn’t achieve commercial success until 1982 onwards. Jim Kerr has an unexpected, formidable stage presence pumping his fist into the air and commanding the crowd. For the beginning he has them eating out of this hand. With their vast range of material they make an enjoyable headliner.

Sunday 13^th September

Soul II Soul

Soul II Soul celebrated 25 years in the music industry back in 2012. Setting a chilled out, mellow, soulful vibe one has to ask themselves if they would have been more suited to preforming on the Saturday of the festival as the punters would have been more familiar to their songs. The mum and dads of the children however seem to be enjoying the tunes. Once the iconic ‘back to life’ is performed, the festival goers seem to be on side.

The Vamps

It’s no coincidence that festival goers are of a younger age today. The Vamps are stuff of You tube legend formed through the channel itself. They put on an energetic, very lively performance and judging by the high pitched screaming and cheering it is much appreciated by the younger folk. By the time they finish with ‘Can we dance’ (their most famous hit) the youth are in their own private utopia.

Jessie J

Jessie J chose the festival to debut both some new tracks and also new bright blue hair. She is known for vocal gymnastics and she didn’t fail to deliver. Since bursting onto the music scene back in 2010 with her smash ‘Do it like a dude’ she has never ceased to shock both musically and in her private life. The recent American flavour is clearly obvious but the fans seem to be enjoying her efforts. With the new album ‘Sweet talker’ recently released future chart success is guaranteed.

Jessie J: Boomerang 2015

Boomerang Festival has made a very promising beginning. As its fame gains momentum it should grow in success. Let’s hope it returns again just like its title.

review by: Kristina Clark

photos by: Jason Richardson