As the summer season of outdoor festivals continue and our editor in chief takes himself off to England’s green and pleasant fields full of bliss, the burden of responsibly shifts onto us souls hardy enough to brace a Northern Ireland summer evening at the seaside to enjoy the Harbour Hoedown in Groomsport.
Groomsport is a small fishing village on the south side of Belfast Lough, about two miles outside Bangor. The name itself translates from the Irish “Port an Ghiolla Ghruama” which means port of the gloomy servant and while tonight there’s a distinct lack of donkey rides, saucy postcards and kiss me quick hats there certainly aren’t too many gloomy faces in the audience.
First up we have the Hard Chargers. This local blues power trio have been making a name for themselves on the local scene for the last four years with their own infectious brand of stomping, honest and dirty blues. Chris Todd’s vocal style always reminds me of the late great Rory Gallagher and tonight is no exception. His playing is raw, but immaculate as he strums and picks at his Fender Stratocaster and bottlenecks his resonator. Drummer Richard Hodgen is a joy to watch. He clearly relishes beating the crap out of his drum kit and demonising his washboard and he scrapes about six inches of steel off it during the set. Bass player David Thompson seems like the quiet sensible one in the band who pulls it all together, and in many ways he does just that. His steady pounding bass lines rise and fall to follow the other two and when they threaten to go on their own he always anchors them safely back into his four stringed clutches. Highlights for us were songs such as ‘Suicidal Hosepipe Blues’, ‘Bumpin and Grindin’ and the massive ‘Charger Swing’.
Sadly the weather gods didn’t approve and rain lashed down through most of their set. Much to our amusement we noticed that even the dogs of North Down brought umbrellas with them. As English Cajun band The Flatville Aces take to the stage rainbows break out, the sun shines and we get slightly distracted from the music as we are joined at our press area/picnic table by a group of ladies of a certain age all dressed in their finest summer whites. The band break into ‘Popcorn Blues’ and the swirling shanty like sounding accordion combined with the venue almost sounds like it its crying out for Uncle Albert or Portland Bill. Our new friends meanwhile unpack their picnic and proceed to spill red wine all over each other’s whites. We warn them about being discreet with the alcohol as the bar area is the only designated drinking space at the gig and even point to the Folk and Tumble rider carefully concealed in brown paper bags, but they know better and phrases such as ‘no cops will take my drink of me’ amuse us mightily.
As the band mix old fiddle tunes with guitar and accordion in perfect harmony our lady friends continue their jolly girls Beano outing by going off to the funfair and hitting the Terminator 3 ride. We briefly debate amongst ourselves about the whereabouts of one and two, but quickly return to the music.
The Flatville Aces were formed in Southampton in the 80s and while the line has changed quite a lot over the years their music and soul hasn’t. They were an instant hit with younger members of the audience and many fathers were dragged up to the stage for a bit of Dad Dancing. Soon though in true Only Fools and Horses style the jolly girls return cradling an array of stuffed toys in their arms. Once again memorable phrases leap into the air and compete with the bouncy Cajun music. “That ride wasn’t scary enough for me” and “I like a good scary ride” will stay with us for years.
It’s hard not to like tonight’s headline act. The originators of the term “Rockgrass”, Hayseed Dixie have built up a loyal following over the last decade or so with their own witty and energetic takes of classic ACDC, Queen and Motorhead tracks. Tonight is no exception. Lead singer Barley Scotch is on fine form preaching and testifying away in front of his adoring audience. However, Hayseed Dixie isn’t just another cover band. Former band members and brothers Dale and Don Reno can trace their lineage right back to the predecessor of ‘Duelling Banjos’, as their Father, also known as Don played on the original recording known as ‘Feudin Banjos’.
At this stage as if by magic our jolly lady friends produce a hoedown/Americana themed cake for the occasion and we are pleased to say were very generous with the slices.
The current Hayseed Dixie line up consists of Johnny Butten on banjo, Hippy Joe Hymas on Mandolin and acoustic guitar and long time member, long bearded Jake “Bakesnake” Byers on bass. The covers come and go ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, ‘Ace of Spades’ interspersed with their own classics such as ‘Keeping your Poop in a Jar’ and ‘Moonshiner’s Daughter’. With Barley’s preaching and the aforementioned ‘Duelling Banjos’ it’s easy to write these guys off as one trick wonders, but their musicianship stands out for all to see. Taking these often complicated songs and re-working them takes skill and knowledge of music that they hide very well beneath their beer swilling Hill Billy swagger. Their set is tight, well rehearsed and just a little too similar to last time we saw them less than 12 months ago. Perhaps some more originals thrown into the mix and some new stories might invigorate the band a little. That said, the audience loved them and that’s what matters.
The Harbour Hoedown was an entirely free event and it’s great to see this great of thing happening in our local towns and villages. Anything that encourages people out to enjoy live music we fully support and we will be looking out for it again to add to our schedule for 2015. A big round of applause for all the organisers who put it together including North Down Borough Council and the Northern Ireland Tourist board.
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