Friday

This Is Seb Clarke – Main Stage
It’s Friday, it’s 5 o’clock, it’s ... no, not Crackerjack, but the start of Guilfest with the first band of the day taking to the stage. There’s loads of them, I count eleven at first but then realise there’s another member of the horn section dressed in black. There’s a good crowd to hear them and they’re terrific a great opener, all that brass section (4 members) means they have a rich sound and though I know none of their tunes I’d highly recommend watching them. Great stuff and a good choice of opening act.

Big Wednesday – Uncut Stage
I’d seen them last year after the name caught my attention, being a big fan of the surf flick. So I dashed off to watch them again this year. I wasn’t disappointed, their music is vibrant and songs like ‘I am Going’ and ‘Must be on my Way’ sounded wonderful in the sunshine and their guitarist is brimming with talent. They get the front of the crowd dancing and I hope much like other surf connotation band – Reef, they build a big following. Certainly they’re reminiscent of that style of sunny happy music.

The Proclaimers – Main Stage
Okay, normally I don’t ever allow myself to like The Proclaimers, mainly because I hated that ‘500 miles’ record because at the time I was at school and wore glasses and so heard it every day for months! Yet despite my deep psychological trauma I actually enjoyed this pair, who played pretty much a greatest hits set and had loads more than I thought I’d remember. ‘King of the Road’, ‘Letter From America’ and ‘500 Miles’ plus others I forget. The swelling crowd were loving it and I’d see them again, professional performers who put on a good show.

Alabama 3 – Main Stage
For the third time in a year I’m watching Alabama 3, and tonight their performance is hot hot hot, but they do miss out my favourite song! We get treated to most of the album ‘Exile on Coldharbour Lane’ and the hot weather seems to bring out the best in Alabama 3. Between songs there’s hilarious patter from Larry and Co. and a couple of new tracks. Despite my familiarity with them, I’d make them the band of the night.

The Pogues – Main Stage
The crowd is rammed, there’s expectation in the air and many are still wondering if Shane will show. Many are just here for the experience of seeing the legends again. To be honest the performance was far from legendary but it didn’t matter. Shane slurred and the crowd howled along, what more could you want in the baking heat? Well personally I wanted a decent photo of this frail man at the mic, so down I went to the very front. I got there after jigging through a packed crowd to see him leaving the stage and the guitarist take up singing duties! Gutted. A few songs later Shane wobbled back to continue singing duties. But by then I was headed out of the throng who were steaming and still singing ‘Irish Rover’ between songs. A classic set, including the momentous ‘Dirty Old Town’ but Shane looks so wasted!

Hothouse Flowers – Uncut Stage
I leave The Pogues briefly to grab a beer and as the bar is between the two stages I go to catch one tune of Hothouse Flowers. Perfect timing as it happens to be my favourite. Bearded and shirtless Liam played a nearly unrecognisable version of ‘Don’t Go’ with a mixed up reggae beat and a long refrain, it still works and sounds terrific. I’d like to watch more but the other Irish band call me back.

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