Southport Rocks 2011 review

This weekend saw us doing something I never thought we'd ever do............camping in Victoria Park in Southport. The reason why, for Southport Rocks formely known as the Jedi Festival. This festival first began to raise awareness for SADS, (Sudden Adult Death Syndrome) and initially started off as a one day in door event to the 2 day outdoor festival we know today. Co founded by Steve Haw, who lost his son Chris to this devastating condition, Southport Rocks is a festival with a truly worthy cause fuelling it on and it'sorganisers company Vital Sounds Foundation are now in partnership with Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital to bring a screening programme to the young people out there to get themselves checked out for undiagnosed heart conditions.

With a lot of unsigned North West talent, tribute bands and some big names gracing the main and alternative stage as well as a dance tent on offer there was something here to keep all musical tastes entertained. If I was to write about each band I'd be on a par with War and Peace so here's my highlights of the weekend.

One of the first bands we saw in the alternative tent were, Ratty Little Fingers, a quirky modern folk ensemble, who came dressed in onesies comprising of a cat, flying squirrel and a raccoon. With a guitar, violin, and a wooden crate, they provided an eccentric little set that filled the tent with toe tapping folk tunes and with their character's bouncing along just as much as the bubbles from their bubble machine did, you couldn't help go away with a happy smile on your face after listening to them.

Another fab band who made it to the main stage were Catfish and the Bottlemen, from Llandudno, They provided a very slick energetic indie rock set on a sunny Saturday afternoon and had the crowd hooked from the first song. With their cheeky characters coming out and clear love of music, I can only hope that they soon become a household name, unfortunately, the "compare" didn't think so and decided to cut their set short to make way for a 12 year old singing Lady Gaga!! The crowd seemed as dismayed as the band, who carried on strumming away behind him in a refusal to move till there allotted time was up. Good on you guys!! Personally I'd have liked to hear a lot more from them as I have to admit they were the musical highlight of the weekend for me.

Friday's headliners, the Lancashire Hotpots provided a highly entertaining set and I don't think I've ever laughed so much in ages. With flat caps and waist coats, they entertained us for an hour with comical musical musings about getting lost in Ikea, their own version of YMCA entitled "CHAV", bringing beer drinking to the Olympics, and yes I'd be up for that one, and a drum and bass fuelled ditty which the crowd had to do the conga to, as instructed by lead vocalist, Bernard Fresher, who became alter ego "B Fresh" especially for it. With most of the crowd twirling round each other arm in arm, this was definitely a great way to end the first day.

Back to Saturday again and Kid British once again played a perfect set, with their ska influenced tunes sliced with a bit of rock, they had the crowd bouncing away to, "Picadilly Gardens" and "Our House is a Dadless House" plus many more hits.

The alternative tent meanwhile was witnessing Stagecoach, who seeing as there were only three people in the tent at the time, decided to invite them up onto the stage with them and some of the band took to the audience part. As people drifted in they too were invited onto stage, the band refusing to play until they had. With a rather manic ukelaili player balanced on any speaker he could climb onto the tent soon filled up once word got round. I have to say Stagecoach provided the most entertaining set of the whole weekend.

Newly signed to Universal Records, Luke Bingham provided an R&B set, which saw all the teenage girls enthralled as soon as he came onto the stage, especially two who stared goggle eyed at him and lapped it up when he sang towards them. With songs like "Baby come closer", a very Taio Cruz influenced number, I'm pretty sure he will soon be the next heart throb for many youngsters.

The final highlight of the weekend was closing act, The Futureheads, who blew the crowd away with a full on rock set including favourites, "Heartbeat Song", "Hounds of Love" and show opener "Beginning of the Twist". I saw them at Kendal Calling last year and was a bit disappointed but I have to admit that this set was amazing from start to finish and exuded a sheer force of energy throughout. Lead singer Barry Hyde's character flowed out of him on Saturday just as much as his vocals and the whole band looked like they were really enjoying it as much as the crowd.

Other acts over the weekend you might like to check out are Sly Digs, Matt Belcher and Picture Book.

 

Only downsides to the weekend, for me anyway, was the sheer lack of promoting the Alternative stage by the compare, a DJ from Dune FM, who seemed to like his own voice more than some of the acts and the sheer amount of tribute bands on the main stage. It would have been nice to see more of the unsigned acts, who actually write their own music and lyrics, instead of copycat bands, who some sound and look nothing like. I understand that, for example, The Blue Meanies, are crowd pleasers and to be fair, they do make an effort to look like them, but if more festivals took that small step to promote these young talented acts, then maybe some of them might just get that break that they so readily deserve.

Overall though this was a fantastic weekend, even when the rain poured, and it's a festival that helps to raises an awareness to an extremely worthwhile cause.

Review by Alison Goggin

Festival pics in full can be found HERE

Southport Rocks Festival Line Up

Southport Rocks, the two day music and entertainment festival set to take place at Victoria Park has today announced the line up for the two day extravaganza. The confirmed acts are a blend of mainstream musical artists, the very best of the North West’s new music and unsigned talent as well as stellar tribute artists.

Steve Haw, Co-Founder and Chief Organiser of Southport Rocks said:

“The programming for Southport Rocks has been centred on providing festival goers a very rounded festival experience. By providing music from high profile mainstream acts, giving a platform to showcase the very best of the North West’s new music talent as well as well as booking stellar tribute acts; everyone from the discerning music enthusiast to a family group will find a performance or activity they will always remember.”

Confirmed headliners for Southport Rocks are the Futureheads who will be taking to the Main Stage on Saturday 9^th July. Now here is a band that needs no introduction! Having celebrated their 10^th anniversary last year as well as the release of their fourth studio album, The Futureheads are heading across the Pennines to set Southport Rocks on fire with their dynamic live set and punchy post-punk sound. The Futureheads inject familiar styles from the likes of Fugazi, Devo, XTC and The Buzzcocks. With clever technical formations, they achieve the perfect balance of mess and order within their music that keeps things fun and interesting. Definitely not to be missed!

Other confirmed acts include:

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• The Lancashire Hotpots
• Headlining Southport Rocks on the Friday Night, the Lancashire Hotpots are a comedy folk band from St Helens. This bunch of flat capped Lancashire lads play satirical songs about Lancashire and The British culture. Their first single, 'He's Turned Emo', became a big hit on Myspace and was featured on BBC Radio One by Colin Murray. They had a hit with their debut album, 'Never Mind The Hotpots', which reached number two in the BBC 6 Music Album Charts.
• Picture Book
• The three piece electro pop sensation consists of Greta (vox) and brothers Lorne (guitars) and Dario (percussion) who formed the band out of frustration at the lack of music they actually believed in. Picture Book are the antithesis of all three, groove driven guitar/synth hooks, timeless melodies , classic  song writing underpinned with beats straight off the dance floor.
• Bird
• Bird is the vehicle for 22 year old mystical songstress Adele Emmas who have established themselves onto the Liverpool scene. Their haunting and ethereal sound has been likened to Kate Bush and Leonard Cohen, artists which the band hold dear. Influential music journalist Paul Du Noyer (Q, Mojo, The Face) described them as "hauntingly beautiful" and head honcho, Simon Williams, of legendary indie label Fierce Panda said "a bit folkie, a bit spooky and a lot good".
• Stagecoach
• Huw Stephens played their single 'Map To The Freezer' exhaustively on his Radio 1 shows over the summer. He then invited the band to play the BBC Introducing Stage at Reading & Leeds 2010, before booking them for SWN Festival. Huw has since named Stagecoach as one of his BBC Introducing acts of the year.
• Cheap Cuts
• Cheap Cuts is a power pop trio whose songs combine the distinctly nostalgic sound of 1960s soul with short, witty kitchen sink sagas set in modern, broken, bankrupt Britain.  The band was formed in 2008 when Gareth Roberts (vocals, guitar) and Joseph Forshaw (bass, vocals) recruited local "face" Joe Bennett to play the drums.
• Stealing Sheep
• Stealing Sheep is a three piece girl band from Liverpool. The chasm between noise-drenched experimental trip-hop and ephemeral folktronica.
• Richard O’Flynn
• Richard O’Flynn is an Irish songwriter and performer based in Liverpool, UK. This exciting artist draws upon indie, alternative and folk influences using contemporary recording techniques to support his classic song writing. His soaring voice, catchy melodies and emotive lyrics are at the centre of his uplifting performances
• Thief Technique
• This band has power and poise. Like J Mascis holding hands with Joy Division and the Mary Chain. It’s awkward, uncomfortable and loud. Featuring former members of The Paddingtons and The Daisy Riots amongst their number, Thief Technique are serious proposition.
• The Wild Eyes
• The Wild Eyes are rock and roll weirdoes.  Drawn to Liverpool from North Wales and the Pennines, the Wild Eyes trio have been wowing the city over the past twelve months with their mélange of garage rock, psychedelia and twisted rock n’ roll.  Performances alongside The Zutons, Darwin Deez, The Lucid Dream and Jeniferver have seen the music press drawing comparisons with the primal groove of the Stones and The Stooges. 
• Sour Mash
• This six-piece talent from Southport hold the perfect sound for a classic summer fest. After being crowned Xfm's Official England Band during the World Cup, the only way for Sour Mash is up. They mix the perfect combination of funk and soul blended with a little Madchester sound to achieve something just that little bit different. Lie back and soak up the sun whilst listening to the Sour Mash experience that is quality funk and soul.
• Tales Of George
• From another seaside resort (Bognor Regis), here is a post-punk revival band echoing a more refined Sex Pistols sound and perhaps a racier Libertines. Tales Of George played as main support act to Bruce Foxton's 'From The Jam' at the ROX Festival with their whole set broadcast live on Spirit FM. The band was also a key act to this year's Leicester Oxjam.
• Catfish and the Bottlemen
• This young, energy-driven quartet is a straight-up indie-rock band from Llandudno. They've received rave reviews since forming and have been championed by Steve Lamacq on BBC6 music. Their blistering live shows have earned them support slots with acts such as Reverend and the Makers and Twisted Wheel. These lads are not afraid to use their guitars properly, a must-see band for 2011.
• Kid British
• A fantastic indie-rock ska band from Manchester. Since playing support slots with The Enemy and The Specials and gaining regular airplay from Radio One's Chris Moyles, this band has gone from strength to strength. Kid British have been described as 'Blur or The Specials crossed with Outcast and De La Soul'. They have a prevailing take on two- tone and a stylish approach to how urban music styles should be combined.
• Ute
• It’s no wonder that Huw Stephens, Bethan Elfyn, Tom Robinson have all pledged their allegiance over the last 6 months, or that BBC Oxford felt it necessary to run an hour-long programme dedicated solely to the 3-piece. Ethereal at times, terrifying at others – this is a Viking feast of a sound which fuses a whole host of glorious influences and delivers a must-listen, and listen again. Lush harmonious vocals traverse shuddering bass riffs, whilst unnerving guitar riffs loop over - the pace shifting from delicate tenderness to storm-rumbling swiftness.
• The Secret Police
• The Secret Police is the World’s longest running and most respected Police tribute band. Since their debut in August 1996 the band has appeared at hundreds of venues throughout the UK, across Europe and the Middle East. The band plays all the greatest hits of The Police like no other; with incredible power and intensity, whether performing to festival audiences of thousands or to crowds at smaller more intimate venues.
• Sly Digs
• Their song ‘Electric Love’ having already been hailed by NME.com as “one of the five tracks you must listen to”. Not ones to shy away from a bit of hard graft, Slydigs have supported the likes of Pete Doherty, the New York Dolls, the Fall and Idlewild in the past.
• Dead Cities
• Having formed in late 2008, the trio, which includes members from various other Liverpool bands of past and present, have wowed audiences with their direct and affecting approach to performance.  No one member has a set role – they play whatever is needed, and whatever is at hand to create songs of ethereal lo-fi beauty.
• Owls*
• From out of the swirling mists step the timeless Owls*, a quartet of musicians who make the kind of music that the hairs on the back of your neck were made for. Taking inspiration from the shadowy recesses of the mind, and knitting together feelings with a deft yet menacing thread, Owls* have created a sound that is utterly compelling.
• Glassheads
• Glassheads are a guitar based four piece who hail from Wigan, Lancashire and draw upon diverse influences ranging from Sex Pistols to dub reggae and hip hop to flamenco guitar! The inaugural signing to Microdot Recordings, established by designer Brian Cannon - renowned for his artwork for Oasis and The Verve, their debut single ‘Error Of Your Ways’ was released on the 24th January 2011.
• The Antarctic Monkeys
• Formed in 2006 from a jamming session, The Antarctic Monkeys took a big chance that led to them becoming a phenomenon in their own right, travelling the UK, playing venues armed only with one album of material. That success has continued and now armed with a set list of almost 30 songs, the demand for the Antarctic Monkeys is ever growing with tours booked up nationwide and Europe.
• Berlin Berlin
• Formed in late 2010 from the ashes of other bands, Manchester’s Berlin Berlin combine synths and guitars to make euphoric electro-pop with big choruses. Having spent the last few months writing and recording they are ready once again to hit the stage.
• All Weller
• The All Weller band has established itself as one of the most respected Paul Weller tribute bands on the scene. The group, which has been together for four years, covers some of Paul Weller's best known hits from The Jam and Style Council up to his modern day solo material. The band has toured all around the UK and is a crowd pleaser wherever they play.
• Space God
• Space God is the devastating fusion of five talented musicians from five very different musical persuasions. The resulting concoction of anthemic indie vocals, infectious blues riffs, epic classical progressions, intense metal bass lines and trip-inducing progressive drumming is not like any other band you will hear at the moment. Space God is beyond dynamic: from subliminal highs to heart-wrenching lows, their technical endeavours never obscure the raw emotional energy behind their music.
• The Loud
• Following on from their widely acclaimed self released EP in May 2010, THE LOUD return this summer with their debut full offering, Harris Shutter, via new Liverpool Independent Label, Payper Tiger Records. Produced by Psychedelic architect Ross Halden (Wild Beasts, Forward Russia, Lone Wolf), the record has been mastered in Los Angeles by Light In The Attic Records in-house maestro, Dave Cooley (The Black Angels, Serge Gainsbourg). Lead single Amyʼs Gonna Get You (out on limited edition vinyl, Monday 23^rd May) is an infectious glam stomp, T Rex dusted down for 2011ʼs dance floors. With a sultry, seductive accompanying video shot by Dominic Francis Foster (following from his stunning productions for The Sand Band, Set Me Free, and The Suzukis, Reasons For Leaving), and a backlit dub remix, courtesy of Joe Edwards & Greg Mighall (formerly of The Rascals & The Little Flames) the record sees the band shift into new territory.
• Jumping Ships
• Jumping Ships are an alt rock quartet from Brighton. They fuse post-rock with pop hooks creating a sound that has musical depth and instant appeal. The band formed in mid 2008 in Brighton, whilst the band members were involved in the local music scene.
• Dead Cities
• Sound of Rum
• Blue Meanies
• Kings Of Lyon
• Southport Rocks is 2011’s freshest music festival, with live headline bands, new and emerging musical talent and onsite camping. 
  
• Situated a stones throw away from the beach, Southport Rocks mixes tribute acts, breakthrough artists, unsigned new music, the freshest dance stages, alternative talent with big name headliners.
•   5,000 tickets are on general sale through Ticketline.
• Taking place on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th July, a full weekends camping costs just £49, with onsite catering facilities and entertainment available.
• Southport Rocks is passionate about showcasing local artists and breakthrough acts from around the North West.
• Ticket holders are free to explore the surrounding Southport areas and can also bring their own food and drink.

Southport Rocks - A Fresh Music Festival to Make Southport Rock

A two day musical extravaganza offering the ultimate festival experience for families as well as the stalwart festival goer is coming to Southport. Southport Rocks will take place at Victoria Park over the 8^th and 9^th of July 2011 offering a line up of artists, acts and events from mainstream musical artists to the North West’s very best in new music talent.

The Main Stage will play host to some of the North West’s best new music talent and unsigned artists. Artists include the newly signed electro pop sensation Picture Book, XFM’s band of the World Cup Sour Mash, Indie-Ska band Kid British who have supported both The Specials and The Enemy in recent years, Stagecoach who were named as one of BBC Introducing ‘Acts of the Year’ by Radio 1’s Huw Stevens and Sly Digs, who’s song ‘Electric Love’ was acclaimed by NME as “one of the five tracks you must listen to” to name but a few.

The two day music extravaganza will be headlined by The Futureheads, the post punk indie band likened to other UK heavy weights of the ‘angular movement’ such as Franz Ferdinand and Bloc Party. The Futureheads rose to fame through their cover of the Kate Bush hit ‘Hounds of Love’, which reached top ten in the charts, and its performance is sure to be a festival moment not to be missed on Saturday 9^th July.

Steve Haw, Co-Founder and Chief Organiser of Southport Rocks:

 “Southport Rocks is something new, fresh and exciting for the North West. We have worked to bring a very rounded festival experience which has everything from a stellar line up of new music talent, recognisable and mainstream acts as well as amazing tribute bands, incredible camping facilities as well as activities and entertainment everyone will enjoy. The festival is going to be a highly charged and fun filled weekend and an experience you will never forget.”

Southport Rocks will also play host to a variety of activities and events expanding the festival experience across the site. Alternative and Dance Music Stages will showcase some of the best local musical talent, acoustic acts, DJ Sets and evening comedy performances. Outdoor climbing walls, cage football, face painting, a vintage market, a homeopathic tent and a massive toddler play will also be entertaining family festival goers.

Those planning on attending Southport Rocks should also take advantage of the Glamping facilities; an area will be made up of luxury Mongolian Yurts and Tepees in which you can rest those weary heads after a day of music and fun. There will be traditional camping spaces available for those wishing to bring their own.

Tickets start at £49.00 for the weekend including camping with under 12s allowed in free with paying adult, family tickets and day tickets are also available.  

Ends 

A little more about Southport Rocks…..

• Southport Rocks is 2011’s freshest music festival, with live headline bands, new and emerging musical talent and onsite camping.
• Situated a stones throw away from the beach, Southport Rocks mixes tribute acts, breakthrough artists, unsigned new music, the freshest dance stages, alternative talent with big name headliners.
•   5,000 tickets are on general sale through Ticketline.
• Headline acts confirmed include The Lancashire Hotpots and The Futureheads with new bands being added each week.
• Taking place on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th July, a full weekends camping costs just £49, with onsite catering facilities and entertainment available.
• Southport Rocks is passionate about showcasing local artists and breakthrough acts from around the North West.
• Ticket holders are free to explore the surrounding Southport areas and can also bring their own food and drink.
• Formerly The Jedi Festival, the event was launched in 2007 in memory of Chris Haw, a local young man with a huge passion for music. The festival will donate all profits to The Vital Sounds Foundation, screening young people against SADS (Sudden Adult Death Syndrome) 
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• .http://www.southportrocks.co.uk/