Hi there,
Well I have finally come down to earth with a bang! I know you have all been waiting patiently to be told about the day and I have just not had a moment! Ok to be honest its been a week of being completely overwhelmed by all the nice things people have had to say and I know for a fact that everybody there had a fab time.
So where does one begin? First to arrive was The Present what a lovely bunch of people and the hugging was in supermode :D. We watched them do their sound check and then reality sort of started setting in and the adrenalin was brimming over. More bands started arriving and then I could relax as we had music until 7.30pm and the Red Star Rebels were also there who were due on at 10 so all was good.
Afternoon was opened up by acoustic set from Matt Henshaw (of Censored). Matt showed an awful lot of guts opening things and was very very confident for one so young. Not to mentioned accomplished. People were buzzing after his set and his version of "Anarchy in the UK" is still a talking point amongst my friends. Hard to describe the genre but the Beatles influence was quite apparent and actually suited an acoustic set. Matt has a superb voice and we all love him! Personal favourite "Johnny Boy" :o) We all have pencilled in the Censored Hard Rock Cafe gig.
Matt's performance was followed by 3D who were not able to get the band in the Venue as they were only 14 lol, but they sang to a backing track and it was quite something different.
Then came the turn of Wayne Ridgway whose songs are all inspired by real life events and issues and all very close to the heart. Wayne's influences are the likes of Neil Young and Nick Drake and he captivated the audience with his impressive delivery. There is a certain Butterfly song that has people talking as it was very sad. No doubt see more of Wayne in the future.
Next up was Richard Snow (with his newly named Inlaws) to set the stage on fire. Happy harmonising melodies that makes you wanna dance and sing a long. The highlight of this set for me was "Silent Girlfriend", but that is not what has people talking. Seems "Lonesome Cowboy" (sung half country half reggae) that grabbed people's interest. Seen Richard since (what a lovely fella!) and will no doubt catch him on his next round of Battle of the Bands.
Up next The Present who travelled all the way from Forest of Dean to Sherwood Forest and boy was it worth it! They were loved by the audience as their unique mixture of great vocals, catchy melodies with a indie rock edge. I am so looking forward to catch these again as they were the first to get the crowd dancing. Yes its official The Flowerpot loved you!! Really love "I Hear Sunshine" and "Day Like Today" which I thought was quite apt. Gutted they did not do their Kylie tho lol!
Then came the first hitch of the night or maybe it was a blessing in disguise. Sandi Thom had not turned up yet as she got caught up in traffic and roadworks. Shmoo did not want to go on earlier as they were expecting fans at the time of their slot and now I had an hour to kill somehow. The saviour of the afternoon and one of the distinct highlights of my night...step into the breach Johnny Rebel! After a little persuasion and me turning on my absolute charm Johnny dazzled the audience with an impressive acoustic slot...people were captivated and he was awesome. So that was just a bonus :o)
All the way from deepest darkest Manchester....Shmoo were on next and they are also one of the talking points of the gig and many really enjoyed their set. Lots of keyboards and synths for a truly Electronica sound. Rowena has an amazing voice and the whole set was very well received. Sadly I was at the door for most of this set but the bits I heard were great!
Then was the turn of "The mad one from down South" Dlugokecki who travelled with full band all the way from Southampton. I had only seen Ben a few weeks prior in London and I was really looking forward to his performance. Well Nottingham truly loved this sound and Ben's amazing voice captivated everybody and has now left people a bit unhappy.... Unhappy with the fact that he is so bloody far away!!! Personally being a fan I loved the whole set but was completely blown away bye the final song and truly awesome version of "Insecure" - WOW WOW WOW
Sandi Thom had now arrived and it was great but now we are running a bit late. Sandi's set up was quite easy and very low tech but what a voice! Her own style of friendly happy music had people hanging on her every word. Songs like "Little Remedy" and "No more heroes" were enjoyed by all. But highlight of my night came a truly memorable performance of "I wish I was a Punk Rocker" I think that Flowerpot and I must have drowned her out as we sang at the top of our voices! A truly overwhelming moment :D
"Standback Nottingham and prepare yourself for the turn of Red Star Rebels as these guys are mental"!!! People's faces were a picture as the Meady and Johnny climbed on the bar and Dazzle was on the staircase! Of course I was one of few who knew what they were capable of. The sound in Rescue Rooms was amazing and these boys truly rocked the joint! Every single head head in the audience was shaking and people were mesmerised by the spectacle. What a set and I personally loved "Fast Die Young" and "Bulletproof Love".
One of the people who enjoyed the Rebels the most was Story One front man Tom Evans. I have never seen him so into anything before, it was awesome. Then to be asked by Tom "Do we have to play?" and "How can we follow that?" is compliment itself.
But Story One are one of my fav bands of all time and they sounded the best ever on that stage! The energy and passion coming from the stage electrified the audience and people were just watching in true amazement. Tom has an amazing voice and this band Gerald, Mike and Barney have a unique togetherness that is apparent everytime I watch them (6 times this year already lol) Mindblowing performance!!!
Highlight for the Flowerpot came in the guise of The Council a band we saw support Alabama 3 in October last year. Unique band with most amazing hard hitting vocal sound in front man Derin. They were as fab as we remembered and the Resuce Rooms was the perfect venue for them! Finished their set with a 14 minute song - WOW!
Twilight spot belonged to Tom Wardle who had been patiently waiting for his set. Tom as usual was awesome (though a bit quietier than usual) as his voice was going but he was much loved by my friends and I and a perfect way to end of this occasion by mellowing things a little. Another highlight of my night was Tom doing his version of Green Day's "Good Riddance (Time of your life)" A very fitting song for amost memorable night and I can safely say that I did have the time of my life.
All that remains now is to get around to opening the collection boxes and doing a final total. Oh yes and of course to thank all the bands for participating, the Rescue Rooms for use of the venue and their nice friendly staff all my friends who helped out on the day in no particular order:-
Leigh (Flowerpot) for being my mate and having to put up with my wining and talking of nothing else before and since! Luv ya mate and glad we could have shared this together :o)
Nicki & Stu for helping early on setting up and for staying all night - you guys were awesome!
Tom for being at the end of the phone when I needed you about technical stuff, setting up on the night and for being a mate!
Mike for standing tirelessly by the door all night long and for much hugs and cuddles throughout. Thanks so much!!!
Mark for your help and support before during and after and for much needed financial assistance. Much appreciated :D!
Helen for being my official photographer and mate and for also putting up with my constant talking of music and gigs at work. You are a star!!!
Sally who did the artwork for the publicity stuff - pity you peaked too soon girl! Thanks a lot!
Rick (bald, short, fat, hairy man from Barnsley) Thanks for being there for me mate - love ya to bits!
Everybody that enjoyed this night with us - nice to have met you!
Much love to all of you from the bottom of my heart :D
Margi x
