It was a balmy Sunday evening in June,(in more ways than one), as the good citizens of North Warwickshire gathered to see out the final stages of Atherstone’s Stonefest. Three days of Love Peace and Confusion, climaxing in the final show. An open air event in the commodious beer garden of the mighty Angel Inn, situated in the old Town’s market square.
As we traveled to the venue the omens for it being a slightly different evening were there for all Roman Emperors,to portend. A long journey over to Coventry and back collecting the component parts of Nunc began with a jolt when we were damn near totalled by an Ice Cream van coming like a bat out of hell straight outa Earlsdon. Then,as we parked up in Atherstone alongside the pub, the world’s tiniest hedgehog was spotted, staggering about on a large expanse of asphalt.
Needless of my own safety, I leaped from John Kearney’s safari wagon and approached the wanderer. Fearlessly it turned to confront me. A stand off ensued until I gathered up the little urchin on a copy of our Set List. I knew that would come in handy some day. I carried him (or her) carefully to the nearest expanse of vegetation and as I was about to release it, it let out an impressively loud shriek which scared the pair of us half to death. The release came a few seconds earlier than planned as it rolled off,curling into a ball as it fell,and landed in a clump of Dock. Flossy recorded this scene for posterity and we made our way towards where we could hear the music coming from.
JK and I had played The Angel for a Stonefest Fundraiser earlier in the year. A fine old Tardis of a pub, with nooks and crannies everywhere a pleasant staff and a bar heaving with beer pumps and handpulls. No wonder it has won CAMRA awards-not often I get the chance to have Oakham Citra as my stage tipple. (Rude not to).
Just a few minutes late and after a very efficient sound check from a very friendly and competent Sound guy, we were under way,kicking off with John's "Come Lay Your Burden Down." It was a Sunday, after all and we could see the impressive Church Tower looming over the pub roof. John's " Irish Spiritual," was politely received by a very mixed audience which contained a broad age range. I was pleased to note that (unlike the canines attending Sly Old Dogs gigs) the large Chocolate Labrador pottering about the garden seemed utterly unmoved by my colourful shirt.
By the time we'd got onto "Weather with You," a few people were singing along. Things seemed to be going well when we had our first stage invasion. I'd first spotted far off, way up the other end of the garden.Making her way towards us during "Bring It On Home." A woman of indeterminate age, with a pint in her hand and wearing a Dutch Girls hat with artificial pigtails. (Amongst other things). First she plonked down heavily on a chair up the front. She seemed to be enjoying herself but something in "All Gotta Die Some Day," inspired her to rise and continue her journey. She whispered in my ear so noisily that some bodily fluids were exchanged and I had to wipe the spit out afterwards. I won't embarrass her any further, because she might be someone's Mum or Auntie just a bit far gone. But as far as we could we complied with her request. It wasn't rude..just mildly odd and slightly irrelevant. But it got the thumbs up from Tilly The Little Dutch Girl.
However, buoyed by her success, she returned during "After The Gold Rush," and asked for another favour just as Flossy was trying to give Neil Young's lyrics due reverence. Annoyed by this second incursion,Flossy used her best Team Teach technique to make a placatory (but firm) palms outward gesture in the "Please go away and sit down" kind of area. Which in fairness, she eventually did. I last saw her being led out of the moshpit by a kindly steward. Saved staff using the water cannon.
We had got at least half of the audience singing by this time, sometimes even in the right places. Unfortunately, Flossy's spirited rendition of "Perfect" seemed to galvanise the space invaders again and another lady came right up to my mike during "Angel From Montgomery" and interrupted by asking if we could do any Beautiful South numbers. (I declined. A bit cheeky of her really. After all, I didn't go up to her afterwards and ask her husband if he'd ever thought of trading her in for a new model.).
We had the big finish with "Don't Worry" and ended to warm applause, and a few cries for more. (At least I think that's what they were shouting). After 50 minutes, we'd certainly doubled the size of the audience since we'd started. The sound was pretty good,thanks to monitors and a very useful Sound Man. Gamblers, the act that followed us were very good too, and got feet tapping. But as the sun set, the audience thinned a little. Not because the entertainment had waned any, more because it had turned quite cold as darkness fell. And so it was left to Weavers to close the event.
I know Atherstone fairly well. I've played a couple of their Folk Club venues at Ridge Lane and Baxterley. I've done Wednesday lunchtime Folk Sessions in The Larder just round the corner from The Angel. ( A few customers can get very hands on on there, too sometimes). I've been to football matches at Sheepy Road and I've eaten in several of the town's hostelries. Its townspeople are an interesting bunch. Eve Bryant and her team worked very hard to get this festival up and running,and to attract and hold the audiences. Eve also did her personal best to accommodate the wishes of performers. She admits to still being on a learning curve, but her willingness to be flexible, and to adapt, and her panoramic view of music bodes well for future Stonefests. I hope they'll invite us back-but I might bring a minder next time.
