Summer Sundae Weekender 2010
Friday 13th to Sunday 15th August 2010De Montfort Hall, Granville Road, Leicester, Leicestershire, LE1 7RU, England MAP
£105 weeked - sold out, only £40 Friday, £45 Saturday available
Despite the sometimes torrential rain on Friday and Saturday, the site held up very well and most managed to avoid having their enthusiasm dampened. But then, there is a lot to be enthusiastic about at this festival. Beer prices are kept at about pub prices and organisers have no problem with people bringing their own alcohol into the arena - though reports of anti-social behaviour amongst underage drinkers will surely be noted by the organisers when planning next year's festival.
The sun came out to play on Sunday and Red Shoe Diaries provided a summery pop start - perfect for a 'sunny Summer Sundae Sunday' as the announcer pointed out - and a gentle lead into the day. On the Musician stage, The Guthlaxtones provided an explosion of soul. The young 12-piece outfit covered a number of classic soul tracks from Aretha to The Jackson 5 via Stevie Wonder and had a rammed tent loving every moment.
American folksters Megafaun were huge fun and developed a quick and easy rapport with their audience - aided very much by a great collection of tunes. Equally fun and equally well received on the same stage were Pokey LaFarge & The South City Three, whose totally authentic blues Americana - they hail from St Louis - was a revelation.
Closing the Musician Stage were Leicester ska favourites, El Pussycat. From the opening note they had the crowd onside and dancing - this was another piece of programming genius and a much deserved move up the bill from their 2007 Sunday afternoon slot. An already exultant crowd went daft when they brought on special guest Neville Staples to shouts of 'ruuuuuude boooooooy'. The packed tent joined in with 'Message To You Rudy' and 'The Lunatics have taken over The Asylum' and went skankin crazy for 'Monkey Man'. After another singalong to 'Enjoy Yourself', the band wound up a memorable set and encore with the classic line 'Thank you very much. Now fuck off and watch The Mumfords'. And so we all did.
Summer Sundae 2010 was a huge success. Yes, there are things the organisers need to look at for next year, but by keep doing the things they always do well, the future of the festival looks bright. An excellently eclectic mix of music, the nicest stewards and security and litter picking staff, great comedy, great food and drink and a great crowd - all make for an excellent festival experience. Keep doing what you're doing - and see if there is anyway whatsoever that you can get Phrased and Confused back in 2011. They were missed in 2010.
review by: Phil Adcroft
photos by: Phil Bull
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Summer Sundae Weekender
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last updated: Wed 20th Apr 2022
Summer Sundae will not be returning in 2014
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last year was the final year
last updated: Thu 5th Sep 2013
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