Brian Glover sends these two reviews from The August Bank Holiday Festivals. Well done Brian. For those who are unfamiliar with Brian, well apart from being a great bloke and a veteran performer/guitar player, he also is the lighting and sound engineer with Splash Alley. His light shows are legendary and his PA expertise is awesome. Many Northern bands owe Brian for his free agency work too. Now he's turned his hand to being a rock journo, and for all of that Brian, we thank you!

 

Generous Pioneer Festival Burley in Wharfedale

 

This was only the second year that this festival had been held but it was apparent from the numbers of people who turned up early that the word had spread. Bright sunshine and a slight breeze made it a pleasant start to the show as SIDEWINDER started the show,  with their mix of classic rock numbers including songs from AC DC and Metallica, they also played some of their own numbers which had a style which was definitely influenced by the likes of AC DC and Thin Lizzy, what a great start to the show this band were!.

 

 

After a short break Barnsley’s best rock and roll band VAMP took to the curtain sider stage to deliver their cracking style of covers and when they thought they had finished they were encouraged to do no less than three encore songs before they were allowed to leave the stage, pack their gear up and rush off to see the Rolling Stones in Sheffield.

Next up was Bradford based 80s rock covers and Bon Jovi tribute band VAGABOND,  As they were doing their full Bon Jovi set it was decided to announce them under their other stage name BON JOV’ISH. Not only do these guys copy the sound of Bon Jovi they also dress like them. All of the popular old and some of the latest Bon Jovi songs were delivered to the audience who were singing along with every song.

 

Another short break and it was the turn of U2 tribute band New2. Unfortunately the sky had now clouded over and as the band were a few songs into their set the heavens opened and the rain came pouring down. The wet weather did not deter anyone as Adam the manager of the Generous Pioneer handed out umbrellas’ and the show carried on with some people watching under the covered pub entrance while others sheltered under the brollies . New 2 played through their repertoire of U2 songs and even threw in some Beatles and some Tamla Motown songs for good measure, Lead singer Frank even threw in a song about sunshine just to take the mickey out of the weather.

 

It was amazing how many people stayed put under the brollies while Splash Alley set up for the final spot of the day as darkness began to fall. The pilot of the aircraft on the flight path from Leeds Bradford airport must have wondered where the searchlights and white strobes had appeared from as Splash Alley launched into their set with Thin Lizzys Jailbreak. The rain had stopped and those who had used the shelter of the pub reappeared onto the car park. The band went from one classic rock song to another and as they played their penultimate number ( Guns & Roses  Livin on a Prayer) the rain had come back with a vengeance, It was like monsoon season, but would you believe it, the majority of the audience just braved it out under the brollies while some of the younger ones who were already soaked just carried on dancing in the rain.  The final number of the show was AC DCs Whole Lotta Rosie which was greeted with LOUD cheers by the crowd in the main part of the car park and the now thoroughly soaked young uns at the front of the stage. The final song of the outside gig was over but the entertainment was far from over, as Splash Alley started to dismantle their sound and lighting rig and pack it away  Frank and Jamie from New 2 continued the entertainment inside the pub with an unplugged acoustic set which went down a bomb as they played to a packed pub including some very wet but somewhat happy music lovers.

 

The Queens Hotel Outdoor Festival. Bradford

 

Here we go again said the Splash Alley road crew as they proceeded to set up the gear for a second festival of the Bank Holiday.

 

It was another fine but somewhat chilly afternoon with nice sunshine but a slightly chilly breeze as the young lads from EEVOLUTION rocked through their set to the small but enthusiastic audience who had gathered on the car park of The Queen Hotel. After yet another great set from these young lads there was a short break. The audience retired to the warmth of the pub while the bands equipment was changed over and then it was the turn of Leeds band MID LIFE CRISIS to entertain the audience with their music covering several decades and styles delivered with great enthusiasm. As the band finished their set the audience once again disappeared into the pub for some more drinks and a respite from the chilly breeze.

 

As fairly new band on the scene ZEPHYR started their spot the audience reappeared from the pub and took up their places at the tables dotted around the car park. The band blistered through their set with classic numbers and some modern covers. The audience made their way back indoors as the sky began to darken with the dreaded rain clouds and a few spots of rain began to fall.

The sun came out again as DELIRIUM took to the stage to begin their set and the car park began to fill again with the people from inside the pub.

Just when everything appeared to be going well lead guitarist Chris started to have problems with his amp going on and off so an amp was quickly pulled from Splash Alleys trailer and placed on stage and the show continued with this experienced band playing through their old and new rock numbers including songs from Metallica to Kaiser Chiefs, Good band, Good material. Crap weather as the sky kept dropping the contents of the clouds on the car park and the audience. Someone in the crowd (I am told it was a woman) had the bright idea of moving some gazebos from the beer garden to the car park to shelter the crowd from the rain, what a bloody good idea that was!

 

The final act of the day were South Yorkshire band METALWORKS. they played some classic rock numbers including Panama, Enter Sandman, Shot Down In Flames & Fool For Your Lovin  with the lighting effects casting sometimes eerie mixes of colour over the stage. The crowd which had grown steadily throughout the duration of the show were wanting more at the end of the set but unfortunately the outside event licence dictated that time was up and it was back into the pub for the audience with the only entertainment left to watch being the music videos. As Metalworks and Splash Alley packed their gear away the song  We Will Rock You by Queen could be heard from the PA system in the pub. Well WE DID ROCK those who were at the QUEENS and we in RotN land Will Rock You with live music for as long as we can. Weather permitting!