A quick glance at my watch tells me I’m not going to get to the Radio Two Stage to catch the last part of the PEATBOG FAERIES set so instead it’s off to Stage One to catch the OYSTERBAND playing an acoustic set.
In
the end the set seemed to be more plugged than acoustic, a fact
that vocalist John Jones refered to more than once. Still it did
give Chopper the chance to use his distinctive cello style for
longer than usual. Chop’s cello style largely revolves around
him giving it all he’s got whilst dancing the instrument
across the stage. About the only thing he doesn’t try with
it is tucking it under his chin.
One unexpected highlight is when Rowan Godel joins the band on stage. He vocal harmonies duel with the insistent driving rhythms of Chopper and Lee and serve to remind that some of the OYSTERBAND’s golden moments occur when interweaved with a female voice.
This was a mellower performance by the Oysters than I have heard in awhile. That might have been because of the nature of the set, it might also be that there seems less anger at the world since the change of government.
Either way, the OYSTERBAND and Jones’ earthy vocals continue to make the band one of the finest, if not the finest, folk rock bands on the circuit. The irony is that despite the number of people here wearing the band’s t-shirts they still don’t get the recognition they deserve.
From one acoustic performance to another as it’s back to then Radio Two Stage for an acoustic appearance by the SAW DOCTORS. The SAW DOCTORS had a far tighter definition of the word acoustic than the Oysters. Compared to the high octane headline set of the night before, this appearance was far more laid back. What it lacked in energy it made up for in the reverence shown to the song.
It
was like Pearse had mentioned in the interview, when there’s
no where to go with volume and power you have to rely on the song
to carry you through, and carry them through they did. It says
something about the strengths of the songs and the musicianship
of the band that the same words in a different setting can evoke
such different feelings.
Off the bands two sets, this is the one that I preferred. There was something more emotional about it. The musicianship was given more prominence. Last night had been a great time, the buzz and the energy, but in the cold light of day, this was the one that showed the heart of the SAW DOCTORS as well as the spirit. I, for one, kicked myself for missing the first couple of songs.
By now thirst and hunger ensured that a visit to the beer tent and Mexican were in order. Suitably recharged it was time to nip backstage for a chat with one of the festival showcases, TARRAS. Recently signed to the Topic label, TARRAS hail from the Borders, giving them a different perception than most on both English and Scottish folk.
By the time the interview is over, I only managed to catch the second part of STACEY EARLE’s Stage One set. The bigger venue required more amplification, but that was about the only compromise. She still managed to keep the emotion in her voice and the set genuinely moved. This was a collection of songs to sit down on the grass and experience.
Stacey made a joke about the weather making the songs feel more at home. She wasn’t far wrong it certainly seemed more Tennessee than English Summer.
