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The Rockstone Ale Festival

Venue: The Rockstone
Town: Southampton
Date: 29th - 31st March 2013
Website: http://www.therockstone.co.uk/

Bevois Valley was the setting for the place to be seen in Southampton this Easter weekend with live music playing at a joint ale festival between the Rockstone tavern and The Shooting Star. Both venues situated within minutes walking distance from each other share credit for bringing the festivities to Southampton's favourite valley.

Friday night was the kick off for the Rockstone ale fest with the ep launch from rockabilly band 'Smokin Hogs' a feisty, loud live band , I felt a Cream, Deep purple sound in their midst. They did bring a great 'oomph' to the Rockstone and played to a mixed age crowd all drinking and dancing, dare I say cavorting. I saw a few people walk away with the Hog's CDs so it's safe to say an impression was made. Keep an eye open around your way, I'm sure they tour and they seem like the perfect Friday night pub band.

Saturday night fired up the Rockstone again with a couple of acoustic acts called Dave Wire and guest singer the petite Emma Lou. These two complimented each other rather nicely on vocals and when alone Dave plugged on with soothing acoustic music with a punk like attitude growl during his self penned songs.

The Sweetchunks band kept the flow with local singer-songwriter Stuart 'Sweetchunks' Blakeledge bringing his own unique blend of eccentric folk-Blues as he played with a distorted banjo , plugged into a vintage fuzz laden guitar amp it was quite the show. The sound was addictive to vintage guitar amp fuzz fans and really brought out the theme of the Rock stone with a pedigree of almost Texan-Blues in the place, giving credibility to the often misquoted 'steam punk' label the Rockstone gets inflicted with.

All that was left to top off the evening was 'ale-rock' pioneers the 'Dukes of Tavern' to round off the evening in only the way they could, ale-rock fuelled fun 'n' frolics. The chaps live large in the ale world and play hard in the music. Rarely is a Rockstone performance gone by without the chugging and raising of tankards, this is ale drinking music.

The Shooting star held their own with some exceptional local talents in acoustic form on the Saturday evening Arnie Cottrell and Graham Bushell, highly revered artist in the South coast scene.

I found it difficult to catch every act and missed sets from the Blue chain Gang and the Anthems which was a shame but the line-up was so epic for your local pub gig, it was hard to be everywhere. So much was going on in between the two venues all weekend ,I doubt I have even covered it all what with a the dance nights towards the end of the bank holiday weekend. I did see a man called Nick Karlsen dressed as a Viking was attempting the world record and eat a 140lb t-bone steak for charity .That was just a side show! The overall event was impressive and carried a jolly feeling from Rockstone to a few doors down at the Shooting star where people inevitably ended up so once again BevoisValley was the star of this gig . Oh, and £500 was raised for Hampshire and Isle of Wight air ambulance service and sight loss charity 'Southampton Sight'. Who says you can't have fun for a worthy cause. Well done Bevois Valley!

Words Lewis MacLean
Pics: James Ashman