MAVERICK 11
6th,7th & 8th July 2018 @ Easton Farm Park, Suffolk
The Maverick festival continues to grow in popularity as it should do thanks to the high quality of the artists the organizers sign up, with last weekend being no exception, although the heat this year somehow created a drain on my energy levels and I didn't see quite so many full sets as I had hoped. As usual it was an unequal balancing act in trying to decide which sets to see in full and which to see in part or not at all, always knowing that we were going to miss some hugely talented performers, although there was one that I saw twice! That one was the Brighton domiciled young Welsh lady Gwenifer Raymond, a person who says little and doesn't sing but is the most gifted guitar and banjoist I've ever witnessed, confirming as fact the cliché, 'she let her music do the talking.' I first saw her earlier this year as support for Charlie Parr and was absolutely knocked out; then I reviewed her debut album which is still getting played at home regularly. She was the first artist to perform at the Moonshine bar on Friday night and was so good she played in the 'Barn' on Saturday afternoon and at times the almost full house seemed to hold their breath in amazement at her incredible virtuosity. Following Gwenifer at the Moonshine was Dylan Earl who sounded good and seemed to forge a good rapport with the crowd for the couple of songs I heard but my appetite for food and drink took over. We caught a few bits and pieces of sets by the excellent Weeping Willows and Arkansas Dave before watching the whole set at the nights finale from Norfolk based eight piece The Vagaband whose high velocity yet varied show made them one of the weekends highlights.
Saturday dawned sunny, hot and humid after a good night's sleep that somehow seemed surreal thanks to the total lack of squawking sea gulls which were missed not at all! To my shame we were too late to see Luke Tuchscherer, on stage at 11-00 a.m; his tremendous new album, 'Pieces' having been released last Friday is soon be reviewed on this site. We saw most of the set from 'The Most Ugly Child' whose recent album received a rave review from me and were at least as good live as on record. I stuck around as it was such a lovely day and the Southern Sound stage is outside so purely by chance saw Liverpool's own 'The Grande,' a band I had never heard before but was so impressed with their take on alt. country/country rock that I spent some of my hard earned on both of their albums and had a chat with them afterwards. It seems they play very few gigs, something I find incredible for a band this good. I certainly can't think of any British based bands that play in a similar generic field who are better, and they really need to be heard by more people, so any promoters reading this, please give them some thought. You won't regret it. 3-00 p.m saw me in the Barn watching 'A Different Thread' play a tremendous set. I had hoped to have a chat about their newly recorded album but as they finished there was a terrific roar from the direction of the Cafe in which there was a t.v and a huge crowd! It was just after 3.30 and England had just gone 1-0 up so I stuck around and watched about 10 minutes of the match, after which it was back to the Barn for Brighton's own Mountain Firework Company, a band I have seen a few times and who are never less than excellent playing their folksy old timey songs that are full of fire and energy but with a little subtlety where needed to bring a nice variety to their music.
Just over a week ago, the night the England football team was beaten by Belgium, I witnessed what could well be the gig of the year. It was at the Prince Albert, Brighton, where Curse of Lono played the 'support' slot for The Cordovas, two bands who are so good they should be playing large theatres and selling albums by the multi thousands, things I am sure are going to happen before we're very much older. I've said all of that because at 4-00 p.m Curse of Lono took the stage on the Southern Sounds Stage and put on an incredible set of some of their older songs and a few from their new album, 'As I feel,' due for release in mid August and soon to be reviewed here. I actually became so engrossed in their music that I completely forgot to take any photos! They are a great band who are genuinely different to anyone else around and are able to project their deep dramatic sound that is often rooted in a dark world with as much power outside on a sunny day as they are with all a recording studio puts at their disposal. They were followed by, yes you guessed it, The Cordovas whose dynamism and harmonies are as unmatchable live as they are on record. They have three lead vocalists so it's no surprise the harmonies are so good, and a front man and bassist in Joe Firstman, a character who I can't imagine has ever been referred to as 'shy and retiring,' with his egging the crowd on and his dynamic leaps from the stage that added to the entertainment. The Cordovas are certainly not there to just back up this dynamic character though, all five are highly skilled musicians with influences that range from Grateful Dead to the Allman Brothers, perhaps a little Lynyrd Skynyrd, a touch of Little Feat but all put into the pot and served up in very much their own individual stew, although as I said, those harmonies are incredible, both live and on record, their second of which, 'That Santa Fe Channel' is set for release in August. Two great bands for whom stardom surely beckons! Food and drink were what beckoned to me next so I missed out on several more great artists but the evening was filled by seeing the hugely talented Anna Tivel and Jeffrey Martin performing both separately and together. Anna is an excellent songwriter and the possessor of a beautiful voice and has been touring with Jeffrey Martin, a man I was unfamiliar with but will be investigating this hugely talented singer songwriter's small collection of recorded work in the next few days. The night was rounded off by a tremendous hour and a half performance of great dynamism and musical quality from the incredible U.K band 'Danny and the Champions of the World' although we could only join the throng outside the already crammed 'Barn.'
Following another good night's sleep we were in the Barn bright and early (or at least, early) for a 10-30 start with Brighton's own folk, hillbilly, country and more, Porchlight Smoker, a band I've seen on numerous occasions and never tire of. They played a terrific half hour set to great applause from the assemblage on this hot, sunny morning. Next we were off to the Peacock stage to see the incredible 'Hillfolk Noir' a trio from Boise, Idaho led by husband and wife team Travis and Alison Ward, who I've seen virtually every time they visit the U.K. Their own label for their music is 'Junkerdash' and although I don't know the origins of the name it seems somehow quite appropriate. All three have an easy going relationship with their audiences and after they finished their tremendous set I wasn't surprised to learn from people that they found Alison's often self deprecating sense of humour hugely appealing alongside the trio's unique modern day 'Hillbilly' music. Following this it was back to the Barn for a large part of an excellent set from The Orange Circus band, a British band from Kent whose 2016 album, 'We make our smiles,' still gets played regularly in my house! The festival finale came from the festival openers, North Wales trio The Goat Roper Rodeo Band, a dynamic trio who perform their take on a rootsy hillbilly hybrid with great fire and passion allied to three part harmonies that have to be heard to be believed! That was it for this year and after another great Maverick festival we drifted off on our hot four hour journey home feeling tired but looking forward to Maverick 12 next year.
Thanks to Paul Spencer and co for another tremendous festival that just seems to get better each year, and after attending most of them, familiarity certainly doesn't breed contempt!
All we need now is for them to add The Curst Sons to next year's lineup!
Saturday dawned sunny, hot and humid after a good night's sleep that somehow seemed surreal thanks to the total lack of squawking sea gulls which were missed not at all! To my shame we were too late to see Luke Tuchscherer, on stage at 11-00 a.m; his tremendous new album, 'Pieces' having been released last Friday is soon be reviewed on this site. We saw most of the set from 'The Most Ugly Child' whose recent album received a rave review from me and were at least as good live as on record. I stuck around as it was such a lovely day and the Southern Sound stage is outside so purely by chance saw Liverpool's own 'The Grande,' a band I had never heard before but was so impressed with their take on alt. country/country rock that I spent some of my hard earned on both of their albums and had a chat with them afterwards. It seems they play very few gigs, something I find incredible for a band this good. I certainly can't think of any British based bands that play in a similar generic field who are better, and they really need to be heard by more people, so any promoters reading this, please give them some thought. You won't regret it. 3-00 p.m saw me in the Barn watching 'A Different Thread' play a tremendous set. I had hoped to have a chat about their newly recorded album but as they finished there was a terrific roar from the direction of the Cafe in which there was a t.v and a huge crowd! It was just after 3.30 and England had just gone 1-0 up so I stuck around and watched about 10 minutes of the match, after which it was back to the Barn for Brighton's own Mountain Firework Company, a band I have seen a few times and who are never less than excellent playing their folksy old timey songs that are full of fire and energy but with a little subtlety where needed to bring a nice variety to their music.
Just over a week ago, the night the England football team was beaten by Belgium, I witnessed what could well be the gig of the year. It was at the Prince Albert, Brighton, where Curse of Lono played the 'support' slot for The Cordovas, two bands who are so good they should be playing large theatres and selling albums by the multi thousands, things I am sure are going to happen before we're very much older. I've said all of that because at 4-00 p.m Curse of Lono took the stage on the Southern Sounds Stage and put on an incredible set of some of their older songs and a few from their new album, 'As I feel,' due for release in mid August and soon to be reviewed here. I actually became so engrossed in their music that I completely forgot to take any photos! They are a great band who are genuinely different to anyone else around and are able to project their deep dramatic sound that is often rooted in a dark world with as much power outside on a sunny day as they are with all a recording studio puts at their disposal. They were followed by, yes you guessed it, The Cordovas whose dynamism and harmonies are as unmatchable live as they are on record. They have three lead vocalists so it's no surprise the harmonies are so good, and a front man and bassist in Joe Firstman, a character who I can't imagine has ever been referred to as 'shy and retiring,' with his egging the crowd on and his dynamic leaps from the stage that added to the entertainment. The Cordovas are certainly not there to just back up this dynamic character though, all five are highly skilled musicians with influences that range from Grateful Dead to the Allman Brothers, perhaps a little Lynyrd Skynyrd, a touch of Little Feat but all put into the pot and served up in very much their own individual stew, although as I said, those harmonies are incredible, both live and on record, their second of which, 'That Santa Fe Channel' is set for release in August. Two great bands for whom stardom surely beckons! Food and drink were what beckoned to me next so I missed out on several more great artists but the evening was filled by seeing the hugely talented Anna Tivel and Jeffrey Martin performing both separately and together. Anna is an excellent songwriter and the possessor of a beautiful voice and has been touring with Jeffrey Martin, a man I was unfamiliar with but will be investigating this hugely talented singer songwriter's small collection of recorded work in the next few days. The night was rounded off by a tremendous hour and a half performance of great dynamism and musical quality from the incredible U.K band 'Danny and the Champions of the World' although we could only join the throng outside the already crammed 'Barn.'
Following another good night's sleep we were in the Barn bright and early (or at least, early) for a 10-30 start with Brighton's own folk, hillbilly, country and more, Porchlight Smoker, a band I've seen on numerous occasions and never tire of. They played a terrific half hour set to great applause from the assemblage on this hot, sunny morning. Next we were off to the Peacock stage to see the incredible 'Hillfolk Noir' a trio from Boise, Idaho led by husband and wife team Travis and Alison Ward, who I've seen virtually every time they visit the U.K. Their own label for their music is 'Junkerdash' and although I don't know the origins of the name it seems somehow quite appropriate. All three have an easy going relationship with their audiences and after they finished their tremendous set I wasn't surprised to learn from people that they found Alison's often self deprecating sense of humour hugely appealing alongside the trio's unique modern day 'Hillbilly' music. Following this it was back to the Barn for a large part of an excellent set from The Orange Circus band, a British band from Kent whose 2016 album, 'We make our smiles,' still gets played regularly in my house! The festival finale came from the festival openers, North Wales trio The Goat Roper Rodeo Band, a dynamic trio who perform their take on a rootsy hillbilly hybrid with great fire and passion allied to three part harmonies that have to be heard to be believed! That was it for this year and after another great Maverick festival we drifted off on our hot four hour journey home feeling tired but looking forward to Maverick 12 next year.
Thanks to Paul Spencer and co for another tremendous festival that just seems to get better each year, and after attending most of them, familiarity certainly doesn't breed contempt!
All we need now is for them to add The Curst Sons to next year's lineup!
Friday evening artists:
Goat Roper Rodeo Band, Gwenifer Raymond, Dylan Earl
Goat Roper Rodeo Band, Gwenifer Raymond, Dylan Earl
Saturday artists:
Most Ugly Child, 'A crowd scene,' The Grande, Gwenifer Raymond, Mountain Firework Company, The Cordovas, Jeffrey Martin, Anna Tivel, Arkansas Dave
Most Ugly Child, 'A crowd scene,' The Grande, Gwenifer Raymond, Mountain Firework Company, The Cordovas, Jeffrey Martin, Anna Tivel, Arkansas Dave
Sunday artists:
Porchlight Smoker, Hillfolk Noir
Porchlight Smoker, Hillfolk Noir
