Eclectic mix of fantastic music at Fenny Compton festival

THE first ever Wharfbam Beer and Music Festival was an eclectic mix of musical acts performing under a marquee in the garden of the Wharf Inn to raise money for the Breast Cancer Campaigne and washed down with excellent real ale and cider.

This was a fabulous event and hopefully will become a regular feature of the local music festival calendar.

The day started with the vocal talents of Tracey Coetzee, followed by new Rhythm and Blues outfit The Boat Blues Band who’s set included a rocking Riot in Cell Block No.9.

As always V8 rocked the place with rock classics including Ace of Spades. It was great also to see ex lead guitarist Fred step in for current axeman Mark.

For me the surprise of the day was how much I enjoyed the Lady Gaga tribute, The Gaga - a very theatrical set which started with her being carried through the audience onto the stage in a black coffin by some of the punks from the audience and emerging onto a stage full of dramatic dry ice. The audience seemed to really enjoy the performance which was full of the Lady’s hits including Poker Face and Bad Romance. There was one more surprise in store - for the finale, flames shot out of a special-made bra. Pure entertainment.

Time for a bit of punk next with Summat Else who, for me, have a touch of Sham 69, with a set mixing covers and original material.

Change of genre next with a set by one of my favourite local bands - the rock-a-billy sounds of The Scatsville Busters. This was the first time I had seen them play with their new female vocalist who added another dimension to the bands already great sound.

Two tribute acts finished the day, firstly playing the best of Faith No More, Faith No Man, and last - but by no means least - the excellent AC/DC tribute act Whole Lotta DC. This band are as close to the real thing as you can find and had the marquee rocking with a set including Hells Bells, High Voltage and Highway To Hell and the band’s very own Angus is a real live wire and pulled off all the trade mark moves.

A fantastic first Wharfbam festival and I think a real success. I hope very much it returns next year.

Andrew Lock