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It’s great when a quality festival starts up in your home town and although the first one-dayer back in 2000 somehow managed to slip by under my radar I’ve lapped up having the Summer Sundae Weekender on my doorstep for the last 5 years. It’s even better when the festival goes from strength to strength, growing from a one-day city centre outdoor gig into an established 3 day festival with camping.

This year another quality line-up across four music stages beckoned and with the reputation of the festival clearly spreading to distant quarters the ticket sales breached a high watermark by selling out for the first time (catching out many a local who thought they could wander up after breakfast and pay on the gate, as usual) and the festival site has once again expanded and improved – more of which later.

The first live music of the weekend could be found of at the Musician stage with a series of acoustic sets from local musicians such as David Wyatt and Storm Theives setting the standard for the whole weekend in fine style. Mid-afternoon and the soulful James Morrison, returning to SSW for the second time, opened the mainstage and the festival was finally well underway. The timings on the various stages are such that it’s easy to take it in a lot of what’s on offer on the four stages – if you have the energy.

Baxter Dury showed he’d inherited some of his fathers swagger on the indoor stage, and shortly after, Richard Hawley’s crooning with a rock n’ roll edge was well received by the mainstage crowd. Back to the Musician stage where Kingsize upped the tempo with their brass-driven ska and the mood was suitably set for The Blockheads featuring Phil Jupitus who did a storming set of old favourites to a predictably packed tent. As the Blockheads were taking their bows the evening headliners Elbow struck up on the outdoor stage, but it was to the indoor stage where I headed for festival favourites Michael Franti & Spearhead – playing mostly new material the songs were unfamiliar to me (in fact I don’t think I recognised a single song) but Frantis music and heartfelt enthusiasm was as infectious as ever. A pretty fine start to the weekend, pleasant weather and a good vibe to the crowds – feeling the pace slightly (or was it the real ale and Jim Beam chasers?) I head for my tent for an early night.

After a quick home visit for a wash and fry up I arrive back on site just in time to watch Kissmet’s energy infused Banghra-rock get people on their feet and grooving. The newly expanded Rising Stage is rammed for Joan as Policewoman so I give up and dive inside the hall to grab some pictures of american alt-rock band Howling Bells – I’m reminded of Belly, a bit, but I forgive them and enjoy their set to the end. A late start by Derrin Nauendorf on the Musician stage meant a disappointingly brief set for the talented guitarist from oz, but local R&B legend Simon ‘Honeyboy’ Hickling (of The DT’s) squeezed as many notes out of his harmonica as his 30 minute slot would carry.

As mentioned the festival site has been expanded further into the adjacent public park with the addition of the ‘Village’ area providing a relaxing space to shop and eat in the shadow of the imposing war memorial. In contrast to the memorial the village was also home to the all new and cheerful eFestivals Cabaret tent – sponsored by eFestivals and programmed by the Leicester Comedy Club (organisers of the annual Leicester Comedy Festival) the new venue proved a popular addition, at times attracting more people than the tent could hold. Scanning the programme I spot Earl Okin is due on stage and knowing him to be good rib-tickler (and sex-god) I decide to amble along – just for a laugh – and I’m not disappointed. Genius.

Due to bad timing and blocked entrances I still haven’t seen much on the Rising Stage but on seeing a ‘TBA’ slot in the programme I figure I’m either sure to get in, or everyone will be more clued up than me and the tent will be rammed again – luckily it’s the former, and even better - Fionn Regan was rather good! On the main stage Nouvelle Vague took up the slack left by an absent Martha Wainwright. There will probably never be huge demand for eighties covers in bossa nova style and it took me until the ‘again an’ again an’ again an’ again..’ bit at the end of The Forest to realise they were singing a Cure song, but they were sweet, and this is a festival which is probably where they belong. Calexico played SSW in 2002 and won many converts, including me, so I was looking forward to seeing them return and it was a more self-assured Calexico that took to the stage this time round – the whole set was a pleasure. A quick visit to the indoor stage to grab a couple of photos of The Proclaimers (the things I do for this website!) and it was soon time to be back at the main stage for the Saturday headliner – Gomez. It was the performance I was hoping for with a good selection of songs from all of their albums and the new stuff sounding great live, BUT I’m too tired (and drunk!) to enjoy it properly, it’s raining, I realise I’ve lost my sunglasses and in a sulk I head for the campsite and listen to the end of their set from my tent.

Heavy rainfall in the night made the site a tad soggy by morning but there’s plenty of cover at Summer Sundae and after another dash home for a wash and change of footwear I was ready to make the most of the last day, rain or shine. Youthful rockers The Displacements attracted an equally youthful audience at the packed Musician Stage but for me it was the New Cassettes in the hall that got things off to a rocking start. Redcarsgofaster were in a very similar vein on the main stage but they didn’t quite hit the same spot. I’d been introduced to the quirky anti-song mind melt act that is MisterLee at the warm-up party the previous Thursday and decided to give them a second try – strangely engaging is all I can say! Time for some comedy and to check out how the cabaret tent is fairing - it’s quiet when I arrive, but fills as Dan Atopolski does a turn – I’m enjoying the laughter and decide to keep popping back to see some more. Captain were completely new to me (I know – I’m crap) but I enjoyed them nonetheless. Jose Gonzalez was engaging for a few songs but would have been so much better on a sunny day and I head back to the Cabaret where MC Markus Birdman is being a lot less charitable about Jose’s music, before introducing ex-Leicester stand up comedian James Branch to an enthusiastic audience. Jamie T drew a large and expectant crowd on the Rising Stage, however he was late coming on by a good 15 minutes so I only saw the first couple songs before heading back to the cabaret tent to see the last act - comedy singer Mitch Benn - perform to the biggest crowd of the weekend. Earl Okins words from the previous day came back to me – comedy isn’t all about stand up (but I think I already knew that). A photo visit to the Buzzcocks followed by a pint in the hall bar and sooner than seemed possible it was time for the last band of the weekend on the main stage and Belle & Sebastian crowned the day and the weekend very well indeed. They referred to themselves as ‘just an old indie band’ but this was a polished performance from a band on top form (despite the messed up setlist) that kept my attention and my feet moving right to the end.

As the crowds melted away the party continued for a while up in the Village for a few revellers (music supplied by the coffee-bug stall) but soon the plug was pulled and it was all over for another year (apart from the conga in the campsite of course). So, approx 30 bands watched, half a dozen comedy acts, 1000+ photographs taken, 400 efestivals promo lighters given away, 2 tired feet and a feel-good ending – marvellous.

It’s probably unlikely Summer Sundae could grow much more but the organisors have made full use of the space available and created a very nicely formatted and friendly festival that will continue to appeal just as it is. Many thanks, and of course – roll on next year.

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