Intro Part 2

My day started early for Cattle And Cain and ended late at the after show party (bad choice) both at The Empire.  I think I saw 20 bands at 5 different venues.  I didn't see anybody at the other 7 venues including the main stage.  Not sure what that says about me but as ever it was an immense festival and you can't physically get around everywhere.

Not sure if 7000 attendees is considered to be a success but there was no way it was going to be free this year and possibly never again.  Maybe not a bad thing.  It seemed much more like a proper music festival this year and hopefully this will be the benchmark for the future.

In addition to the bands I mentioned yesterday Devon Sproule was rather special with her mixture of weird folk/country cross over

and although I only caught a few songs of Beth Jeans Houghton's set it was enough to leave me eagerly anticipating her album to be released on Mute records later this year.  She's certainly raised her game(and she needed to) after her amateurish performances at The End Of The Road Festival 2009.

So that's it over for another year. Probably my best for some time and who knows where we'll all be in 12 months time but hopes for a festival next year.

Next up Stockton Weekender, 5-8 August also no longer free.  £25 for 2 days, ouch.  See you all there.

Finally, got to mention Rikki And The Porters, pictured aside (somewhere) who played a heart warming set on the Homegrown Stage.  It was pissing down when they started but they forced the yellow ball in the sky out with their versions of House Of The Rising Sun, singing "There Is A House in Netherfields............" and Hot Hot Hot before which Rik name dropped Berwick Hills in his intro.  Great stuff.