We didn't sleep well at the Travelodge due to the heat in the room, the fan doing little to bring the temperature down. We enjoyed the breakfast buffet, though. A right good feed to set us up for the day.
The weather was already scorching as we walked to the park. Arriving after ten for an eleven o'clock opening, we rested against the metal sheeting that surrounded the event space and ate our Greggs sandwiches, chatting with the other fans beside us. By the time the gate opened (late, around 11:15 am), the queue stretched the whole length of the park. The security supervisor urged his staff to keep us moving, keen to avoid angry confrontations. The staff member who scanned our tickets didn't have wristbands for weekend VIPS, so he had to find some. Not a good start if the aim was for a swift entry.The space around the main Inferno stage was already filling up with the campers who'd been allowed in on time. We collected our VIP packs, and I picked up my pre-ordered event T-shirt. Then, we met up with Bob's pals. After that, we mostly did our own thing, catching up with each other from time to time in the VIP section. This area had been changed this year to separate the VIP band stage from the bar, the only areas now covered with tents. The space had more benches and tables than last year, but no posh recliners. The VIP urinals were too close together, so in practical terms, only two could be used simultaneously. First world problems.
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| Hillbilly Vegas on the Inferno Stage |
The sun was so hot you could smell the varnish melting off the wooden VIP benches. I ended up using my event T-shirt as a scarf to protect my neck. I headed over to see Lead Feather, approaching the barrier to avoid standing in the direct sunlight. Lead Feather were good, but I preferred their intimate set from the night before. It felt more personal.
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| Lead Feather opening the Firestarter Stage. |
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If looks could kill...
I thought she might snap! |
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| Secret Set: Kris Barras's Hollow Souls |
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| Myke Gray |
The first act I'd been eager to catch was The Quireboys. I'd never seen them before, but remembered their hits fondly. Spike is like a hybrid of Rod Stewart and Vince Neil, with a hint of Freddie Starr, as he prowls the stage. His voice is no longer what it once was, but he makes up for it with his stage presence. The crowd really gets going when he plays the well-known songs, singing along loudly. Luke Morley of Thunder was helping out on guitar. His drummer usually plays with Squeeze, and Nigel Mogg is a rock legend. In fact, watching their set reminded me of the Legend slot at Glastonbury. They brought the party to Maidstone.  |
| The Quireboys |
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| Spike |
The food and drink prices were initially a shock. A fiver for a pint of syrupy cola felt like a rip-off, but there were free water stations, so I managed to stay hydrated. I loved the freshly made duck wraps and had one each day. Only a tenner each!
H.E.A.T. were the first band to blow me away with their performance. Even from the food stall area, well away from the stage, they sounded dynamic, powerful, riff-heavy and musical. The front man has an incredible vocal range and comes across as more articulate and intelligent than most rock singers. He had a layer of self-awareness that pricked any pomposity about their performance. I thought they were brilliant, and it was a shame I'd chosen their set time to eat. I'd have enjoyed being in their crowd.  |
| H.E.A.T. |
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| An unfortunate camera angle |
The rest of the day was less exciting. Joanne Shaw Taylor was okay. Gorilla Riot did well with an appreciative crowd on the Firestarter stage (I loved how they finished on a cover version of AC/DC's Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be). The final act of the day, Dirty Honey, didn't move me, except to leave at the end of their set.  |
| Gorilla Riot |
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| Dirty Honey |
The first day had remained dry, and I'd avoided sunburn. The warm, dry spell was not going to last, however. This warning appeared on the screen (and online).
I can imagine the scenarios. Tap at the window. "Hey, Stranger, can I sit with you in your car, please?" Actually, the festival is so friendly, the response would have been, "Come on in, bud. Squeeze up, hun. Want a beer?"
I made sure to remember to bring my poncho the next day.
Ticket Price: Weekend VIP ticket ???
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