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Naked Sunday on stage 2. When a band describes themselves as “Glam/Blues/Rock” you anticipate some fun visuals and a varied sound and that was exactly what we got! Vocalist Martin sporting a very snazzy jacket cutting through the early morning mist and the band providing some fun and lively tunes. Following them on 2 were Bird Shoes, a duo who laid down some deliciously dirty and raw blues that sounded far bigger than should have been possible from just drums and guitar. Bournemouth band San Marlo opened main stage with some Indie, guitar led tunes that, whilst pleasant, led to me deciding fairly soon to wander and see what could be found elsewhere. That led me to third stage for Luice who ramped up the volume and energy levels a bit and proved a most welcome distraction. A brief foray back to stage two for Towers before drifting back to main stage to catch a cracking set from The Franklys. I have to be honest I thought they had been around for years so was a little amazed to find that their catalogue only dates back to 2017! This set woke me up and had me nodding and foot tapping happily as they laid down some fuzzy riffs and coupled them with great harmonies and catchy lyrics. It was now mid afternoon and after a modest and gentle start, things were starting to warm up nicely in terms of music and the momentum was continued by Scottish foursome Cold Years. Vocalist Ross Gordon has a gravelly, raw voice that complemented the driving rock guitar and rhythm of his band mates perfectly. Until now the day had consisted of a few photos and a song or two then move on but this was the first set that had me planted firmly at the barrier enjoying the music on it’s own basis. Following Cold years we headed to the main stage ready for Bloxx only to be told “No Chance for this one mate. We are throwing everything at it!”, when we arrived at the pit. Watching from the front of the crowd we soon found out why as our eyebrows singed and we acquired an immediate tan! Bloxx quickly established themselves as one of the finds of the day. Few bands over the festival appeared to be having so much fun as they forged a set of Pop/Rock that never stopped sounding fresh and interesting. Couple that with fire, C02 and pyrotechnics and the crowd swelled appreciably during their time on stage. Paris Youth Foundation were the next attraction back at stage 2. I had gone into today knowing very few of the bands as my taste is usually to the heavy and rock end of the spectrum. Once again however, the Liverpool band caught my attention with some very soulful and emotive vocals from Kevin Potter and I stayed around far longer than I expected to enjoy their set. Wandering to the bar I was briefly distracted by someone playing a violin and creating a deep soundscape and on investigation found Stitch. I didn’t have time to hang around too long other than to hear some intriguingly deep vocals fill out the swirling ambience but I would have liked to have found out more! Now, at least once in every festival a band that I have never before encountered raises the hairs on my arms and gives me goose pimples. Little did I know as I unsuspectingly wandered back to main stage that it was that time! Bang Bang Romeo wandered on stage. “Stars” opened her mouth – and I almost dropped my camera! Holy Crap what a voice! Some gospel, some rock, some soul, all with immense power and range. I NEVER seek out artists after a set but I had to on this occasion just to say how much their music moved me. This wasn’t just about vocals though. The songs are catchy and emotive in a Fleetwood Mac meets Aretha kind of way, the band control the stage and the pyro is at exactly the right points to add to the set. As you can tell – I was utterly blown away and loved every second. King Nun provided the next entertainment back on stage 2 and shook me out of my “Stars” induced state. Scarily young, ridiculously energetic and deliciously fun they were a maelstrom of kicks, leaps and guitars. Fatherson over on main stage bought craft and culture to the afternoon. Ross Leighton, guitar strapped high writes deeply meaningful songs that are constructed rather than simply an in the moment reaction to events. On stage he is considered, thoughtful, measured. Bassist Marc Strain meanwhile is a visual focus as he prowls around, interacting with drummer Greg Walkinshaw. The sound is rich and perfect for a festival as it soars out over the fields. I let it wash over me and allow the music to do the talking for one of the few sets of the day that I allow myself to just sit and listen to. Stage 2 is back to the energy with Indoor Pets from Kent who play what they describe as “Dirty Pop”. It’s fun and lively and clearly thoroughly enjoyed by the packed crowd who have drifted over to see what all the noise is about! Sub-headliners were Toploader. I can’t say this was a band I was massively excited about seeing appear. Sure there is one big hit, from some time ago, that I knew but when a band playing second on the bill at a festival resorts to cover versions (“Rocket Man” by Elton John” if you are interested) it feels a little disappointing. Saying that, I am reviewing this for a certain type of audience and the crowds at main stage showed that I was clearly in a minority as they clapped and sang along. It all felt a little “corporate” for me and I didn’t stay around for too long. Instead, I dragged most of the press tent with me to stage 3. That outpost of cover bands that I had rarely visited. Why ? Black Water County is why. I caught these guys supporting “The Wildhearts” in a tiny pub in Exeter and loved every second so didn’t want to miss a moment of their set if I could help it. BWC are one of the most fun and enjoyable bands I have seen for a long time. Part Pogues and part Flogging Molly I don’t think it’s possible to watch them play without your face hurting from smiling so much! Led from the front by Bassist Tim Harris and the irrepressible Shan Byrom on a variety of whistles and a weird bastard child of keyboard and recorder I last encountered in school ,their set, to a rammed tent, is an utter joy. The brooding and leather clad rocker Louis Berry headlined the second stage, swigging from a bottle of bourbon and snarling out the lyrics like a modern day Johnny Cash. His sneering referral to the band that had just finished on main stage as he arrived set the tone and kicked off a set of brooding rock and roll with too many influences to even begin to define. Finally, closing the festival, to The Zutons. Not a band I had every really listened to a great deal so I was pleasantly surprised when they took the stage to find out how much more raw their sound was live. The sax of Abi Harding adds a whole extra dimension to their sound and McCabe’s vocals are somehow both laid back yet powerful. In the darkness the light show and staging complement their set perfectly and there is still a sizeable crowd despite it being late on a Sunday who clearly love every second. It is a great end to a day that, in comparison to my anticipation of Saturday, contained some pleasant surprises and a few real diamonds. To cap it all, it is announced that the festival broke the £100k barrier for money raised for the first time – an extraordinary achievement. I hope Teddy Rocks continues to go from strength to strength. It is a lovely, small festival with great music and a laid back vibe raising money for a very worthwhile cause and I can’t wait to head back to Dorset next year! Review and Photos – Rob Wilkins Thanks to Emma at Public City PR for all her help. Image gallery from day three here Review from day one here, and day two here. More about Teddy Rocks here.]]>
