Chester Rocks 2011 Review - Sunday

Day 2 and time for rock legends and dance legends to grace the main stage along with a legend in his own right, Mr Shaun William Ryder. It was also a day of a lot of walking for us at musicmafiauk due to the sheer amount of talent available on both the main stage and Dawson's stage.

Starting the day off was Tommy Scott, ex lead singer from Liverpool 90's band Space, who sported a rocker billy look for his set, followed by The Lightening Seeds.

Now the day really kicked off with it's Sunday rocked fuelled extravaganza, with Feeder playing a full on rock set with hits including, "Feeling The Moment", "Renegades" and "Buck Rogers" which saw the crowd in full on bounce mode and cheering along in definite approval to the instrumental part. I have to admit I had forgotten just how much I loved Feeder and

can honestly say that it has now been rekindled and cannot wait for their new album which they've been working hard on in the studio.

After that I was all set for more of this genre, so headed over to the Dawson Stage, which was thankfully a lot more busy today. In there we found The Suzuki's blasting the place out. To look at them you them you would expect an Oasis maybe Stone Roses laid back indie set, but oh no, with powerful rasping vocals and a cheeky glint in the eye from front man, Chris Veasy and bass player, Robert Warnes fingers moving faster than the speed of light, this rock outfit are already making a name for themselves in the music world and provided the Dawson stage with a performance worthy of the main stage.

Back at the main stage, Mancunian and Jungle legend, Shaun William Ryder, as he's now apparently known as, came onto stage looking like he was going sailing with his jaunty lil cap on and glass of wine!!! I always had him down as a lager man. With his first mischievous words of, "we'll have to keep it clean, there's kids in the crowd", you knew this ex Happy Mondays front man was on fine form. Joined on stage with his band and backing singer Jill, he performed hits from his pretty large back catalogue and the crowd just lapped it up, dancing early 90's style along to, "Kinky Afro" and "Step On" to name but a few.

The Australian Pink Floyd, provided a great set both musically and visually and the older generation there absolutely adored them, presumably being taken back to their youth of the original Floyd, unfortunately for me, they have always produced a very sleepy effect for me and I spent the next half hour trying to stay awake, great for insomnia though!!

Then the moment we had all been waiting for, although we were expecting him to headline, the godfather of punk/rock, Iggy Pop roared onto the stage with massive cheering from the crowd, (which the sound guy had instigated by waving his hand up, yep i noticed it, although why he felt that was needed i don't know). From the very beginning we saw Iggy bounce, twist, jump, turn all in just leather pants and boots. With tongue pulling and waving at the crowd, Iggy Pop was on tremendous form and rocked the place to it's very core. Half way through the set he addressed the crowd, "Hello my fellow Chestertons, we are the fucking Stooges!" and then proceeded to invite the entire crowd onto stage, pretty soon the stage was full of kids and teenagers and a few older rock chicks jumping and head banging away on stage. A moment these youngsters will never forget and will have a lot of jealous friends come school on Monday. With Iggy barely able to stay on the stage, jumping into the photo pit, thankfully photographers had all gone to safety, singing to individuals, trying on their various hats, this legend showed why he has this godfather status and long may he have it after this performance, a true legend in his own very individual right. I just wish he had played, "Lust For Life!"

After Iggy's performance, about half the crowd dispersed never to return, even though Leftfield were due on, who gave a great set with all their most famous dance tracks but we were off to see Liverpool's very own, much loved, Fly With Vampires. This young band have been going for a few years now and never fail to impress and deliver a show laden with character, true talent and one hell of a formidable bass player. With tracks like, "Not Wasted On The Young" and "Waves" a military beat induced track about a hand movement apparently, FWV always put there all into every gig and the audience loved it, especially one zealous fan who danced for the entire set with a look of sheer happiness on his face.

So for us this was the end of a fabulous weekend and it was a great way to end it on. Thanks FWV!!

And congratulations to Chester Rocks for your 1st year into the music venture and here's too many more like it.

Review by Alison Goggin

more  photos of Saturdays event can be found HERE