It’s the first night proper of Blissfields 2013 and things are heating up on the stage and off. I’ve taken a moment to relax under a tree with a veggie curry and a pint of real ale to reflect on the day so far and what a day it’s been. There’ve been some great new friends made and some excellent big stage performances.
I’ve left the acoustic stage to get right down the front for one the best acts I’ve discovered in the last few years. Watford siblings The Staves never fail to amaze with their beautiful three-way harmonies, intricate melodies and on stage charm. They cheekily diss their own hometown as they bask in sun, sporting shades and somehow looking effortlessly cool. It’s a set full of material from their stunning debut album but with a rockier edge. They’re joined on stage buy two Eddies on bass and drums for a big festival sound, making me think of Dylan’s infamous Newport Festival appearance where fans flooded away in disgust. It’s a contrasting tale here though as the crowd grows throughout the performance and there are more than a few requests for more tunes as the band exit the stage.
Jim Lockey and the Solemn Sun are an unexpected highlight of the evening. They really should be on the main stage rather than under the shade of the Bradley Bubble stage. Signed to the Xtra Mile label alongside the likes of Frank Turner they plough a similar furrow of folk punk but with a more anthemic feel suited to the festival scene. Despite track names like ‘Songs About Death’ it’s a surprisingly feel-good affair with the crowd really getting into the better known tunes. If you like your guitar music in the vein of Springsteen or The Gaslight Anthem, this is a band you’ve got to catch at a festival soon.
Fenech Soler are a replacement for Friends who’ve had to pull out of the festival but an act who slot in like this has always been home. I’ve sat back in the shade to enjoy the electro-pop, feel-good, summery vibes and well, it’s not folk in anyway but there’s no complaints here. They’re a more than capable main support for the evening’s headliners Mystery Jets who pump out a set littered with infectious singalong choruses and huge pop rock hooks. You only realise that this band has been around since 2006 when you find yourself singing with the band on more hits than you’d imagine. They’ve honed their live act beautifully over this time and when they hit the highs of ‘Two Doors Down’ it’s the pinnacle of a triumphant Blissfields homecoming.
Soundtrack DJs wrap up the middle section of our night as they drop hits for the movies at the Premiere Party. Over the weekend, prizes of golden tickets have been offered up for competitions across the festival site. The drinks are flowing and in what was once the acoustic tent there are now a bunch of happy and hammered people boogieing along to Ghostbusters. In the midst of all the drinking and dancing we get invited to the wedding blessing of Martin and Helen. It’s an early start though. Tune in to act IV to see if we make it in one piece.
Food by Asian Grub Foundation. Drinks by Wychwood Brewery. Thanks to Martin and Helen for their whiskey and hospitality.