Summer Sundae 2003

It was a shock to see grey skies on Sunday morning and claims that rain might occur looked like they might hold water, but it was still very warm and it certainly didn't put people off - they came in droves today proving the big names who were joining together later in the evening to raise awareness for the Campaign for a Landmine Free World had a lot of pulling power.



Other acts were to get a turn before that though, The Vessels played a tight set of acoustic rock on the mainstage, a visit to the Musician Stage (in association with local pub-venue - The Musician), which was conveniently also the beer tent proved there were acts well worth seeing on the smaller stage - local lad Pete Morton attracted a captive audience when the only short shower of the day started but if the applause was anything to go by his well crafted protest songs were keeping his prisoners quite content.



Aqualung were an unknown to me (as per!) and they were quiet and chilled, delicate and sombre songs delivered with understatement, nothing too taxing - verdict postponed. Richard Hawley I was more interested by but unfortunately I missed most of his set - would like to see him again based on what I did hear though.



I was impressed again steel guitar playing Ian Siegal on the Musician stage and then it was time to get a spot for the finale - Emmy Lou Harris with Joan Baez, Chrissie Hynde, Billy Bragg and Steve Earle taking it turns to sing and play from the heart, all impassioned with the cause they were supporting, Billy Bragg looked delighted to be there in such company.



The show was halted for a while to give the mic to a campaigning vietnam veteran - wish I could remember his name because he spoke so eloquently about just why the land mine really IS a Weapon of Mass Destruction and should cease to be used in any theatre of war. The music resumed as before, solos and duets, adaptations of old standards and sooner than expected it was the encore and the end had come for another great weekend of entertainment - hats off to the organisers for putting it together.

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