18 years since our first (and their first) Moseley Folk we’re back after a couple of years away (not even the number 11 goes as far as Devon, so popping to Mo Folk is a bit more of a mission these days than when we lived in Bearwood). No idea who these two lovely chaps either side of me were but they had fine taches.
That special vibe (vibe…what is this…1990?) is still
there and entering the site from bustling Moseley village still feels a little
like stepping into Narnia. All three days contained enough gems to warrant the
ticket price for the whole shebang but here’s my personal pick of the pops...oh dear:
Friday
The Black Country Cowboy film…with a live performance
from the man himself, Mr Pete Boddis.
The Scratch – one of the rocking-est bands around
right now dished up the latest anthem to going on the lash, Another Round, and,
appropriately enough (given the resulting hangover), a powerfully funereal
cover of The Pogues’ Sally MacLennane.
Flogging Molly – Another of Ireland’s finest –
although apparently founded in Los Angeles (who knew eh?) – kept up the energy
as the post work crew arrived bearing pints of ale and a burning desire to
bounce the office out of their hair.
Beans On Toast – Love this dude. He just seems so genuine, nice and honest, freely admitting that he doesn’t have all the answers but making a strong case for a world that’s based on music festivals like Mo Folk. He gets my vote.
The Levellers – Despite going to The Lev’s own
festival, Beautiful Days, every year I’m normally up at the Tiny Tea tent when
they’re playing silently mulling over the dreadful prospect of packing up our
tent at 7am on Monday morning. Oh the horror. So it was great to see their
whole show up close and personal, including rousing romps through One Way and
Beautiful Day. It was, too.
Saturday
Katherine Priddy – Ahhhh, KP, Mo Fo’s very homegrown folk f-henomenon. Always a joy to hear her play and not even swallowing a fly during the last number could stop her from delivering one of the most bewitching sets of the weekend. Full marks for George Boomsma (also pictured) for stepping in at the end to sings the last few verses.
Vashti Bunyan in conversation with Lyle Bignon – Folk
legend who made me want to pack up my bags and recreate her 18 month wander up
to the Outer Hebrides, although she and I suspect that it wouldn’t be quite as
idyllic as it was back in the 70s.
The Staves – Sisters still doing it for themselves,
folk doesn’t get much poppier than this. That’s a great thing by the way. Despite
the world outside Moseley Park turning to shit All Now still manages to make
you feel optimistic.
Jon Muq – He’s from Uganda but now living in Austin,
Texas…as he was very fond of telling us. The songs may be simple but some of
the best ones are and Muq’s beaming smile sold the set to me.
CMAT – Quite possibly set of the weekend as Ciara (Mary-Alice Thompson…see what she did there?) literally threw herself into her performance with some top notch banter in between songs that blend such disparate influences as Country and Western and Kate Bush. Bonkers pop has its new princess. A Cyndi Lauper for the 21st Century anyone?
Brian Lightning – Missed the start if this dude’s set
but if I was still living in Brum I’d be there at every single show. A bit of
Bowie, a bit of Jobriath, a bit of Scott Walker…it’s all a bit brilliant. One
to watch.
Dexys – “Been down Bearwood…The Little Nibble?”. Sadly they missed out this bit at the start of This Is What She’s Like but they included pretty much everything else in a joyous hit (and should’ve been hits) packed set. Kev seemed pretty happy too and, at 71, that distinctive voice of his is still in fine fettle.
Sunday
George Boomsma – Last seen backing Katherine Priddy this
was the first time we’d caught George solo and it was the perfect start to the
final day of Mo Fo. By George’s own admission there’s a gentle melancholy to many
of his songs but his vocal and odd bout of remarkably tuneful whistling casts a
soft and reassuring light across every word.
Niall Macnamee – Top notch between song banter from
actor, singer/songwriter and all round great bloke. He wins the best song title
of the weekend award too courtesy of the rousing Magpie With A Mullet.
Helen O’Hara in conversation with Lyle Bignon – Ah, so
this is what she’s like. Dexy’s original fiddle maestro reveals some surprising
myth busting facts about joining the band. Got to meet her and buy a copy of
her autobiography afterwards too. Teen me would be beside himself.
Kate Rusby – Folk’s own Bubble from Ab Fab (and I mean
that in the loveliest way…she really is a sweetie) Kate delivered one of the
festival highlights with a crowd cheering romp through The Bangle’s Manic
Monday.
Belle & Sebastian – Almost 30 years after falling in love with ‘em I finally got to see Belle and Sebastian live…and boy (with the arab strap) was it worth the wait. A much meatier proposition than in their earliest incarnations they dished up a masterclass in witty pop perfection and rocked the roof off the place. Yep, seriously. Stuart even pulled off a death defying mid set walk/wobble along the safety barrier and after 90 minutes they barely scratched the surface of a body of work that few bands get within sniffing distance of. A folking amazing end to the weekend.
No comments:
Post a Comment