Review of 2005 Festival

The 2005 festival went off without too many hitches last September and we had another brilliant weekend weather-wise. It's our second year at Kemble and though we are still experiencing a few teething problems, we believe we are well on the way to getting things right for you. Never have so many people congratulated us about the toilets! Rest assured, they are booked for 2006 and so is the quiet generator.

The members of OGRI were just brilliant this year and they are very much part of the festival with an increasing number of them buying into the bluegrass sound, alongside Motorhead of course! The bars were run perfectly and we cannot say enough about the beer prices. How many festivals can offer a pint at £1.50?

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who help make the festival the success it is: the stewards (all fifty of them), the technical crews (lights, sound, stage), the artists, OGRI's members who were on duty over the weekend and Kemble Airfield's Fire Service.

Concerts

Friday is the more "rootsy" concert of the weekend. The bands were magnificent and there were some great performances. Who will forget Buffalo Gals, Rabbi John and The Daily Planet?

Saturday afternoon gives us the opportunity to get some different people onto the stage and we were treated to some folk with Dave Totterdell & Hilary Pavey, both Bristol based singer songwriters. Wood, Wire and Words were back after a very warm reception at Didmarton 2004 and the local combo The Knockdown Boys delivered no frills bluegrass, just as they would in the local pub! Amy Newton lifted the roof off the marquee with a great performance of original material to close out.

Outside, the audience were treated to a fantastic dance display by Gloucestershire based troupe The Applejacks and the tree lined dance area is just perfect for the purpose. See the pictures in the gallery.

Saturday night is always Bluegrass Time at Didmarton and there was another brilliant display of technical wizardry on guitars, mandolins, fiddles, dobros, banjos and basses by some of the best talent on the British scene. Sally Van Meter and her band delighted the crowd with a beautiful set and newcomers Buffalo Smoke proved they are a band to watch. Old favourites A Band Like Alice lifted the roof for a second time with an upbeat set, one of their best we believe. Just what the doctor ordered to close out Saturday night.

By Sunday everybody was settling down and enjoying the atmosphere but the energy on stage continued at full pace with an opening set by Keep on The Bull from Cheshire, followed by another string of great performances. Ponchartrain and Home Territory preceded an outstanding display of guitar picking by Steve Kaufman who was later joined on stage by our own Chris Moreton who joined in the fun with a few well chosen jokes. Big smiles all round until Steve kicked off Beaumont Rag at a fair pace and Chris got his concentration going! It's jams like this that you get at festivals. From chance meetings of great players you get a unique performance never to be seen again. What a way to finish off the festival!

Next year

We are well on the way with planning the 2006 festival and at this stage we are negotiating with a number of bands from the British Isles and the United States. We should have a great line up of performers again next year. Better block out the dates in your diary now! Next year's festival runs from Friday 1st to Sunday 3rd September 2006.

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