Sex and rugs and rock and roll

[Auchinleckian]

"Going down to Jasper's farm ,guess I'll join a rock and roll band, camp out on the land and try and set my soul free."
In the end, I ended up at Kirkcudbright in deepest Dumfries and Galloway for the annual Wickerman festival, my 5th on the trot, for my once a year does of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Settled eventually for the rock and roll.
Saw some good bands, saw some very good bands, and saw some vastly over rated (nay, shite) bands.
Thought the Magic Numbers were vastly over rated, and looked like a heavier version of Mama Cass and cohorts. Idlewild disappointed as well.
Saw some very good bands in the Scooter tent, a mixture of punk and ska. UK Subs gave their usual manic set, but there was something faintly ridiculous about the vocalist resplendent in peroxide hair pogoing arounf the stage, especially as he's only a year or two younger than me! The Counterfeit Clash were okay, but having seen the real thing on the Anarchy Tour at Cleethorpes Winter Gardens in 1976, they were a pale imitation.
So who did I really enjoy? An American band called, I think, Oh Death, were excellent, and had a fiddler who sounded as if he'd just come back from the xroads having partied with Old Nick. The Zutons excelled, and I really enjoyed their set. A sassy saxophonist, methinks!
Billy Bragg, who I last saw at a Miner's benefit gig in Oxford in 1984, was superb. Anyone who can extol the virtues of Trade Unionism (Power in a Union) collectivism; kicking the fascists out; the ecomonic crisis, and have the crowd cheering is a class act. Also managed to speak to him after the gig, which for me is the nearest I've ever probably got to hero worship.
Difficult to put a fag paper between the top two bands, in my opinion, but just in second place were Dreadzone. Superb band, with a great vocalist, who despite his in jury, had an amazing stage presence.
Top band, though, were Zion Tree. Absolutely dog's bollocks ska music, and the whole crowd were bouncing (not me though, didn't want to trigger off my arthritic knees) If you get the chance to see either of the last two groups, take it, you won't be disappointed.
Cracking weekend, maybe next year it'll be sex and drugs to go with the rock and roll?

[grimsbybarralad]

Auchinleckian wrote:

"Going down to Jasper's farm ,guess I'll join a rock and roll band, camp out on the land and try and set my soul free." In the end, I ended up at Kirkcudbright in deepest Dumfries and Galloway for the annual Wickerman festival, my 5th on the trot, for my once a year does of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Settled eventually for the rock and roll. Saw some good bands, saw some very good bands, and saw some vastly over rated (nay, shite) bands. Thought the Magic Numbers were vastly over rated, and looked like a heavier version of Mama Cass and cohorts. Idlewild disappointed as well. Saw some very good bands in the Scooter tent, a mixture of punk and ska. UK Subs gave their usual manic set, but there was something faintly ridiculous about the vocalist resplendent in peroxide hair pogoing arounf the stage, especially as he's only a year or two younger than me! The Counterfeit Clash were okay, but having seen the real thing on the Anarchy Tour at Cleethorpes Winter Gardens in 1976, they were a pale imitation. So who did I really enjoy? An American band called, I think, Oh Death, were excellent, and had a fiddler who sounded as if he'd just come back from the xroads having partied with Old Nick. The Zutons excelled, and I really enjoyed their set. A sassy saxophonist, methinks! Billy Bragg, who I last saw at a Miner's benefit gig in Oxford in 1984, was superb. Anyone who can extol the virtues of Trade Unionism (Power in a Union) collectivism; kicking the fascists out; the ecomonic crisis, and have the crowd cheering is a class act. Also managed to speak to him after the gig, which for me is the nearest I've ever probably got to hero worship. Difficult to put a fag paper between the top two bands, in my opinion, but just in second place were Dreadzone. Superb band, with a great vocalist, who despite his in jury, had an amazing stage presence. Top band, though, were Zion Tree. Absolutely dog's bollocks ska music, and the whole crowd were bouncing (not me though, didn't want to trigger off my arthritic knees) If you get the chance to see either of the last two groups, take it, you won't be disappointed. Cracking weekend, maybe next year it'll be sex and drugs to go with the rock and roll?

How cool are you?

Agree totally about Billy Bragg. The man is a complete genius. Saw him at Lincoln Engine Shed last year.

This is in my opinion his best EVER song...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5heTJ65bdhU

[Wulfrunian]

I've liked Billy for a long time, but a lot of that is to do with his 'gods footballer' song, about my hero, Peter Knowles.
_________________
FPC Predictor Cup Winner 2013

"You only have one life, I gave mine to the Wolves" - Stan Cullis 1916 - 2001

[andyfromboston]

Bloody hell Auch, there's some life left in the old dog yet.......

Nice work mate, just wish the budget wold run to festivals at the moment.

[grimsbybarralad]

Wulfrunian wrote:

I've liked Billy for a long time, but a lot of that is to do with his 'gods footballer' song, about my hero, Peter Knowles.

"Don't Try This At Home" is quite probably his best album to date IMO

[Auchinleckian]

I just love the whole ethos of festivals. Been going since 1972, and don't see any reason to stop going. There's another one at the end of August - the Eden Festival - in Ae forest, which is about 8 miles from here. I've a friend who's getting married there, so might pop up for a day or so there. It's only £55 for 3 days, which I reckon is excellent value, in what must be one of the most beautiful places anywhere in Scotland.
Levellers are playing there, a band I've wanted to see for a long while. Trouble is I'm not going to be able to do the full fest as we've got our first league games going come then. Looks like Saturday night only.
Only wish there was a b&b in the middle of the forest. Camping's okay(ish) but I've got a cough and chest complaint the noo. Can't win 'em all.