storming Peatbog Faeries bring a sunny Off The Tracks to a close
Off The Tracks Spring Festival 2009 reviews
Tuesday 26th May 2009
Sunday dawned bright, clear and beautiful. That, at least, I'm informed, was how it happened, I was nowhere near seeing the day break. I peered out of my tent, far from being bright and beautiful I might add, at just after the stroke of noon 15...... the sun was out, the sky was blue, it doesn't get much better.
So to plan B. Enjoy a full breakfast,courtesy of the breakfast bar, a cup of coffee, a couple of pints......of water. Brilliant. Works every time. Feeling somewhat more human I amble over to the main stage to listen to the 1st act today, Lorelei Loveridge, and Zoe Mulford, sing songs of lands distant and times past. Debbie played the djebuti to Lorelei's acoustic guitar with Zoe accompanying on banjo and more gentle percussion. I tried to like them, maybe I just hadn't woken up properly, but gentle enough songs that brought us all a little closer to 2 o clock.
Had a listen to Lucy Ward, in the barn - beautiful, clear singing of some lovely songs. sometimes performing with just her voice, other times with an acoustic guitar, a set which included her adaptation of Anne Boleyn's last ever poem set to music. Enchanting. So too was the following act in the barn Dante Ferrara, playing some fantastic looking and sounding medieval instruments. Decidedly racy, wickedly funny ditties from a time far far ago. Stunning. Grinned for ages.
I went to see what was happening over in the Energy Orchard, the healing area part of the festival where a variety of therapy / workshops were happening all over the weekend. There was Tai Chi, Chi Kung, Shiatsu massages, reflexology, crystal healing workshops, meditations, yoga, metamorphic technique amongst other things available. I went for a breathing/movement meditation in the afternoon. the session lasted a couple of hours and left me breathing properly again. I felt refreshed, grounded and more peaceful. Very nice. Will now reacquaint myself with the real ale bar and think pure thoughts.
The next act I caught up with was the magnificent Scott McKeon. Quality hard-edged blues with power and grace. For a three piece they sure make a hell of a racket. great everything, Bass, Drums and Scott's guitar playing all top notch stuff. They warmed the crowd up nicely for the Peatbog Faeries who took the place by storm. Infectious reels, jigs and groovy big beats make a fine noise indeed. Sterling behaviour. Brilliant. I was not alone in those thoughts.
I didn't really catch much of the late stuff in the barn but from what little I saw and heard, all was very well indeed, I was outside having a natter with some very likeable lasses. Having safely escorted them back to their cool Vdub abode I then went and joined in the jam session in the bar. Many humble apologies if my amateur drumming sent people scurrying away, I will learn to play the thing quietly!
eFestivals is 
