It’s April, the sun is shining and we’re back in Blackpool and that can only mean one thing. Springfest is back in town for a second round, with another impressive roster of bands old and new carefully curated from across the UK rock scene.
Read More3rd day, and my 3rd drive-in, but as I'm only driving in from Bury so there's no drama. I arrive, park, flash the pass and get my camera out just in time to see We Three Kings, who open up Sunday morning on the outdoor stage. They are a Manchester-based trio that delivers (and delivers really well) no-messin' rock n roll.
Read MoreDay two starts early (well, earlier than Friday), and has 13 bands plying their wares today. It opens with relative newcomers Unknown Refuge and they instantly get the crowd to wake up or at least look up from their first pints of the day. If this Bolton-based band of youngsters are anything to go by, we are in for a belter of a day today. These very talented guys not only wrote, recorded, mixed, produced and released their debut album (“From the Darkness”) during lockdown, but they also built their own practice and recording facilities.
Read MoreSunday starts not with a bang, but more of a splat. There is an Issue with the toilets, namely that the company that was supposed to come and clear them out on a regular basis over the weekend hasn’t turned up. This has led to a bit of a crisis, as those of us camping are faced with (literally) brimming cubicles, and the arena can’t open for health and safety reasons. Thankfully after frantic ringing around a replacement pumping company is found, and the situation is relieved. As are the campers!
Read MoreThis year sees the 12th edition of Manchester’s SOS (School’s Out for Summer) Festival, and it will be the 5th one I have attended. The festival was originally envisioned by Lynne Hampson from Rocksector Records to be a family-friendly indoor gig. It continues on that basis to the present day, providing a platform for local bands whilst also adding some national and international acts into the mix.
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