Tenbury Music Festival
Saturday 18 June, Tenbury Wells,
Worcestershire
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Steve Gibbons - seemingly effortless enjoyment
(c) Phil Richards 2016 |
Only in its second year, Tenbury Music Festival is one of those small-but-beautiful events which promises to get bigger and bigger. Tenbury in Worcestershire, nestling on the sleepy borders of Shropshire and Herefordshire, seemed unperturbed by the good-natured jamboree taking place in the heart of the ancient market town. Performers and organisers had generously given up their time to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust but it was also a celebration of some of the most enjoyable musical talent in the region.
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Steve Ajao - stroll on
(c) Phil Richards 2016 |
The main
stage featured acts including singer-songwriter Dave Onions and bluesman Steve
Ajao - who took a stroll around the audience while continuing to play guitar. Celtic
rock band Quill featured a special guest in the guise of Clive Bunker (erstwhile
Jethro Tull drummer) while headliner Steve Gibbons provided seemingly
effortless enjoyment with his affable rock n roll, including his unexpectedly
hilarious ditty Biggles Flies Undone.
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Son of John
(c) Phil Richards 2016 |
Interspersed
with all of this were a variety of more rootsy folk and fusion acts on the -
let's face it - much more interesting acoustic stage. Swing drummer (and former
Steve Gibbons collaborator) Sticky Wicket, with a five-piece band, had a repertoire
ranging from The Jungle Book to
B.Bumble and the Stingers' Nut Rocker. Arcadia Roots, led by singer/drummer
Dave Small, galvanised the unsuspecting audience with a high-energy set which
would have transposed well to the main stage, while the day drew to a close
with the earthy, almost prayerful music of Son of John aka Jacob Johnson (accompanied by his mate Will on double bass) with
songs from the stunning debut album Autumn's
Hymn (which we'll be reviewing soon on the blog.)
It's hard to
imagine a more varied collection of acts. We look forward to doing it all again
in 2017.
(Phil Richards' photographs used with permission.)
