Last year we spent a wonderful day bathed in sunshine and Americana music at the inaugural National Trust ‘Gig In The Garden’. Hundreds of people enjoyed the tunes, the weather and the food and drink in the surrounds of Minnowburn gardens. Hoping for the same two years running would just be asking too much, right?
We’ve been warmly welcomed on site by the staff and volunteers of the National Trust who once again have set up a wonderful live music venue in this stunning location. Performers mingle with punters on the grassy banks. There’s a real air of belonging whether you’ve got your pushchair or your pensioner’s bus pass to get you about… Our first port of call is the Hilden Brewery beer tent where the choice of ales, beers and ciders has decreased since last year but the quality of produce and customer service most certainly has not.
We recommend the Belfast Blonde… but we’re here for the music!
Andi Campey is the face of the Belfast American Folk and Roots Club and our compere for the afternoon. He can wax lyrical about music, culture, history, beers, most things really and despite offering to answer any questions about the National Trust we may have, some of us suspect this is Belfast bravado and a sneaky time waste until the feedback from Wookalilly’s banjo dies down. Slight technical hitches aside, the girls from Wookalilly get into their stride eventually and slickly improv around broken guitar strings and sing about broken hearts. It’s bordering on old-time string band music with a slightly Appalachian feel which is perfectly apt with the stunning valleys below and the north Belfast hills framing the stage. Lacking a bass player or a little more stomp on the kick-drum leaves some songs sounding a little too light but it’s an enjoyable set to guide us neatly into the day.
I’ve been criticised for my use of the terms “wheels of steel”. I stand by it as a great phrase. On said wheels or decks or Macbook for the day is DJ Venus Rollergirl who’s playing some very summery, festival tunes. You’ll get a little bit of folk, a whole lot of reggae and maybe even something you can bust a few 1920’s flapper moves to.
White Mansions continue to plough that Americana furrow that the Wookalilly girls began. Paul Reid and Eamo Lynch’s vocal harmonies are bang on the money as is the work on the strings. I’d previously thought these guys to be quite a straight-outta-Nashville outfit but there’s a whole lot more going on today with even hints of a bit of mariachi drifting in and out of the melodies of some songs. ‘Lord Won’t You Keep My Will Strong’ is an early contender for song of the day.
The middle of the day takes a diversion through singer-songwriter-ville with Declan Doherty under the guise of Shakey Horse ably filling in for the ill Wes Grierson. Despite the many apologies in advance of the songs and the referals to the last minute nature of the show, there’s very little shakey about this horse. Doherty has done the rounds in several country outfits, most recetly as guitarist and vocalist with the New Sheriffs and the confidence of the seasoned professional shines through. Like a less gruff Neil Young, it’s Americana for the masses… Plaid shirts, three chords, whiskey and heartache.
Chrissy McCullough and Malojian round up the support set for the day bringing us back to full band set ups on stage and a good few tunes to tap your feet to. There’s a sea of smiling faces, taking in the tunes and enjoying every second as we take a little break from the sun and head up to the Root and Branch Organic Café for one of the most delicious burgers we’ve experienced at an outdoor music event. Heaped with salsa, salad and cheese it’s a pure delight. We’re supporting local farmers, doing our bit for the organic growing community while enjoying a cold brew and the ambient sounds of Stevie Scullion’s melodic folk-pop in the air.
Some call her Mama Kaz. Some call her Kaz Hawkins. The name doesn’t really matter when you bring this much sass and attitude to the stage. We’re told that officially this is the last outing of Mama Kaz. The metamorphosis to rockabilly-blues diva Kaz Hawkins is complete and today’s set is a masterclass of blues renaissance. There are moments of beautifully tender blues that Otis Redding would’ve been proud of, bringing a much needed air of cool to the warm summer air before raising up a right rock’n’roll ruckus. There are definitely tunes here to hitch your polka dot dress up to and get your groove on. Kaz dedicates ‘Don’t Make Mama Cry’ to mother nature in these picturesque surrounds. Old folks on deckchairs are beaming their approval. Kids in facepaints are bouncing around enthusiastically and some of those who’ve been supporting the beer tent in all their efforts have started a Mexican wave……