Unfortunately this reviewer’s flu was getting the better of him and after a late night at the World Music Extravaganza I wasn’t there for the start of Sunday’s Respect Rocks. Shame because although the Auditorium wasn’t open until the evening. The Bar, Marquee and Voodoo Lounge all had acts on from 3pm.
Once I do arrive, my main priority being to get to the Aeon sponsored Voodoo Lounge for Stripped Bare Sunday, just missing Supenik I get to enjoy acoustic sessions from Kolo, Leucosia and Talula before the main ‘headliner’ Chris Letcher and his band.
I’m rather amused by the mass of condoms and literature piled on the table my 12 year old daughter and I are sat at even more so by my daughter’s uncomfortable reaction. All the acts I see are perfect for this intimate setting, and with less of the demographic being interested in acoustic sets, the waffling at tables is respectful enough for us to still enjoy the artists. A particularly fine performance by Chris Letcher sets the tone.
Downstairs in the bar The Thujones and Rebecca Worthley are unfortunately drowned out by the auditorium’s acts starting up with a much more powerful PA than these more laid back artists.
So rather than head into the auditorium just yet I again make for the marquee (which has been one of my favourite stages all weekend). Sure enough, the line up hosted by local club/bar The Hub doesn’t disappoint. Thousand Natural Shocks, Barbar Luck and the hilarious Pickled Dick are all terrific.
The draw of the big names in the auditorium attracts most of the youthful crowd, and once Idiom and InMe take to the stage, I’ve been drawn there too for some kick ass rock!
Having seen them before at Beautiful Days I have to return to the marquee for a bit of Nozzle and three piece don’t disappoint, they even get my daughter and me dancing! This is my kind of rock and Kolo continue to play music to my ears as I flit between the two stages which are still going, the whole place seems a bit quieter than the Saturday when there was more on. But the number of people is still a good turn out and the auditorium is pretty damn bunched at the front.
The King Blues are straight out of London (Hackney) are rudeboys who play fast beat ska with a message and swear a hell of a lot! They even swear in graffiti while making their own custom band banner! Don’t let that put you off these boys are effin marvellous! Guitars, speed-ukelele, drums it’s all tight! Really on form and really bouncy, the band play with energy and soon they’re building a great crowd in the marquee! Coming out of the punk squat scene they’re brimming with tunes, talent and cheek. Despite being a bit of a world music fan this lot are the band of the weekend for me!
And that’s it the three days are over, there aren’t many people that I saw at all three nights as each genre tended to have its own fan base. I was a bit surprised Friday attracted so many more men than women to listen to the acts. Saturday I thought was incredibly well attended for both the day and evening event and Sunday had great music and it was good to see many of Exeter’s young crowd there enjoying themselves – again I was surprised it wasn’t also full of more older people but I guess it was a school night for those with kids – although it finished at a sensible 11pm.
We offer a fantastic range of Ladies Funky Designer Wellington Boots to keep your feet nice and dry at the festivals.
We offer a next day delivery service and you will not find these wellies cheaper anywhere else.
Also Tents & Sleeping Bags more >>
Ashton Court Festival 
