The Beggars Fair 2010

Article Date: 15 Jul 2010

This year's coverage of the Beggars Fair took me to a new tally of 12 bands seen (ok, one of them I saw twice - but more of that later) and a new level of lobsterness as I baked my fair flesh in the deceptively strong sun.

It was a vintage year with the newly repositioned Cornmarket main stage giving more space and viewing points for the near capacity crowds. The sound quality at the Cornmarket appeared to be much better too, so well done the committee and the sound engineers.

Starting on Friday night, in the boiling hot Bishop Blaize pub (now re-signed as The Bishops Blaize - I know that's what some locals call it, but would they have re-signed as "The Bish", which is what I call it!) Beggars Fair aficionados waited in anticipation for the first act, "Mitchell", to begin.

At about 8.30pm a man went behind the bar dressed in a short sleeved shirt and shorts and emerged shortly after in black trousers, white shirt and a black jacket. Accompanied only by his pre-set backing track he launched into a powerful rendition of "Mack the Knife". It was time to move on. Halfway through the second number I escaped to the Abbey Hotel where "Kelly's Tattoo" were setting up. They describe themselves as an exciting brand of high energy Celtic folk punk... and they didn't disappoint. They were certainly loud and at times (enjoyably) over the top. Good musicianship coupled with many well-known favourites, including "Whiskey in my Jar", one of mine, made an hour pass rapidly.

Ears ringing and with the strains of "The Irish Rover", or at least that's what I thought it was, drifting through the still air, I arrived at The Tavern to the half time interval of an intriguingly, if not arguably, compellingly named "Free Beer and Naked Women" who performed a stonking set of covers ending with a hen party writhing and dancing to songs like "Give it away" and the encore, "Killing in The Name" where everyone, and I mean everyone was jumping up and down, arm pointing into the air, repeating the final chorus line - very powerful.

Saturday was a sun blessed music fest in every way. It started with "Broadband" on the main stage and I wandered round catching "Contraband", "The Intruders", "Della Perrett's Sweetedge", "Dr Blu", "Jo Long & The Pure Drop", "Black Bart" and to round off a fine afternoon, "Jazmorillo". Of all of these, Black Bart stand out. Not just because they're damned good, but also because most of their stuff is written by them, mainly by Rob Joy, the lead guitarist. (See separate article - Black Bart plays the Bishop Blaize).

 

 

What I love about the Beggars Fair is how everyone gets involved, dancing, jigging, moving their bits to the pounding beat. There were wannabe girls of six or seven at the front of the main stage executing perfectly timed dance steps. When Jazmorillo relived the golden age of disco in the late afternoon, one middle-aged gentleman made it his mission to cajole as many people to dance at the front of the stage as possible. (I was in serious danger of exhibiting long lost moves myself at one point!) Jazmorillo are the ultimate feel good funky sound. They have a great horns section, a fantastic singer, whose slim frame belies the purchase she gets on numbers like "Superstition", "Respect" and "I feel good". Excellent.

 

 

Other bands that deserve a mention are "Dr Blu" who performed an eclectic set of blues, soul and funk covers such as "Mustang Sally" and "Cocaine" to name just two famous songs. The Intruders performed "Jumping Jack Flash" which caught my attention, completely justifying my wearing of a 1990 "Urban Jungle Rolling Stones" tee-shirt. (Amazingly it still fitted.)

Another thing I love about the Beggars Fair is that I live in Romsey and so at 5.30pm I was able to wander home, eat, recharge and step out once more into the evening where we had decided that a repeat visit to The Tavern was required. We weren't disappointed. They started earlier to meet the compulsory shutdown at 10pm (Not something I agree with). What a set, I've never thought of "99 Red balloons" or "Kids from America" as being particularly rocky, but in these guys hands it really was outstanding. Such fantastic music which achieved what everyone wanted - a good time and a positive vibe.

Bring on The Beggars Fair 2011!

Below are a selection of clips from the 2010 Beggars Fair:

Broadband : I'm a believer

Contraband

The Intruders : Jumping Jack Flash

Dr Blu

Jo Long and The Pure Drop : Stop Crying
 

© Steve Bratt July 2010