Neighbourhood Festival Victoria Park Warrington Cheshire Sunday 27th May

NeighbourHood Festival

Victoria Park Warrington

Sunday 27th May 2018

 

Its another glorious summer day as the gates open on 2nd day of  'Warrington's First Ever Huge Indie Festival, only yesterday the crowd were dancing to Miles Kane, and Losing it to 'The Courteeners' I don't expect the mood to calm down for the next BIG headliner.

 

But as the gates are open the first thing people do is head straight to queue in the bar and grab a snack from the food vans, I on the other hand wandered straight to the main stage , there are 3 stages to choose from Main Stage, Viola Beach Stage and The Tent Stage right at the back of the park as I arrived I heard 'The Editors' soundchecking I've no chance of nipping over late on and catching their set or 'Beth Ditto' either gutted as its why I intended to be here but can miss 'The Man' tonight.

 

 

So I'm here at the main stage for todays line up,and kicking things off warming up is 'Manchester Camerata Orchestra', an act with an orchestra,3 piece female backing singers and 2 male main singers ,a band, and 2 Northern Soul dancers yes the stage has effectively become 'Wigan Casino' (For those not aware what that was ,it was basically A Huge Venue where people danced to these records in late 60's-early 70's in unique way and held competitions for best dancers ).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A small crowd has been gathering behind me as they begin to entertain with some well known 'Hits' 'My Girl', 'Reach Out I'll Be There' , 'Theres A Ghost In My House' (Nice tribute to Mark E Smith there even though he wasn't mentioned it reminded me of him).

 

 

 

 

 

Also on the stage 3 Female backing singers performing 'You Keep Me Hanging On' by 'The Supremes' there's a few people dancing the moves like a mini flashmob, people want to get involved.

 

 

This of course is the most relaxing it'll be all day next up 'Rock Band' 'Black Honey' my new fav rock band from last year,The guitarist appears on stage in that 'Royal Blood' custom made shirt that 'Mike' of the band wears on the tour last year clearly the influence has rubbed off on them ,today they are playing some new tracks from their album which is out in November, singer herself looking 'Rock N Roll' in the sunshine in a 'Suzi Quattro' style creation Silver Leather Jacket & Short Matching Skirt,there's quite a crowd now about 3 deep where it seemed to be quiet the guitars attracted more younger fans over.

 

 

 

 

 

Up next 'Tom Grennon' he's a confident tall cockney in Vest and Tinted Sunglasses, I hadn't known who he was til he mentioned 'Chase & Status' and uttering ''We'll Play that one later", he swears a bit, he could be forgiven though as the guy has an awesome voice and it turns out I've heard his single somewhere that I can sing along to the words, he has a new album to promote.

 

 

 

 

 

Suddenly the mood changes more people turn up behind chanting in low tones DMAs DMAs Yes that's the name of the next band as they introduce themselves "We Are DMA's and we're from Sydney' they are a band much touted by 'Liam Gallagher' , they walk on looking casual their lead singer in simple White Sweater top and cap and acting cool with same kind of arrogance he looks like any lad from 'Warrington' who'd lend you a cig or buy your kid a Energy Drink....so this is going to go OFF!!

 

 

 

 

As The Crowd go nuts for these ordinary looking lads (except they are not actually lads they're blokes at least in their mid to late 20s) the crowd obviously feel they can relate to them in the style they represent, they know all the words and off go the coloured flares which should of been banned they stink and are a nuisance not to mention Illegal, its really gone up a notch as security in front are having to dodge plastic bottles hurteling towards the stage many hitting me on the head , lager fly's everywhere "Welcome To Warrington"!!

 

 

 

Even security are stunned how soon the mood has changed, so I was glad when they finished, The Press were doing my head in encouraging kids to climb on shoulders for the unique photo opportunity, any of me will be vexed Pissed Up fingers up pose on the barrier as I was sick of it.

 

 

 It was squashy already and was only 3pm . 

 

 

Next up 'The Sherlocks' a band from Sheffield that I seen in Liverpool at 'Sound City' last year, the crowd appear to of calmed a bit, and after them 'The Coral' the mood flagged during their set it rained, even during 'Pass it On' the crowd weren't getting into it though 'In The Morning' received a warm response.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I guess this was because 'Warrington' is waiting for 'The Blossoms' fast rising stars and a young band from 'Stockport', lead singer 'Tom' in White Flares and super sporty fashion T-shirt , hes opted for an image change cropped his long hair in trendy style of wholesome 'Indie Boy' ,even their lighting has moved up a gear with proper strobing and a stage set worthy of an Arena tour. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ironically last year the band supported 'Liam Gallagher'  in Leeds and now they're doing the same for his Big Bro, and despite the music being melodic and easy to get into.

 

 

 Still the mood goes ballistic in a total frenzy Flares going off all over the place, I can barely move lager is truly flying everywhere, everyone is singing all the words, I think today they had an even bigger fanbase than at 'Leeds'. As they finish with crowd pleaser 'Chardonay' .

 

 

 

Suddenly there is no room to twitch, the people who spent much of the time in the bar are here, as gear is getting loaded onto the stage and the amps with the flag of 'Man City FC' as this happens the DJ plays 'Manchester Classics'. 

 

 

Just the right mood for the headline act tonight 'Noel Gallagher' arrives on stage his band 'High Flying Birds', he's the man in black as he walks on to the roar of the crowd in black Leather Jacket and jeans, beginning with Album Track 'Fort Knox'.

 

 

 

 

 

His new Upbeat Rock N Roll striking a chord with this audience, looking over to the left its that famous woman with the scissors that caused a sensation on 'Jools Holland' last year, she plays keyboards too but everyone notices her playing them on that song lol. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tonight we are treated to an acoustic performance of 'Importance Of Being Idle' and 'Wonderwall', even 'Half The World Away', it's such an iconic feeling having 'Noel' here playing to us the songs we played on the jukebox in the pub and sang every word to in the indie bars, it's euphoric as well as laddish there are some lovely moments and when one geezer shouts 'Liam' , 'Noel' says "Oi None of that  right chant Noel ,that's right" Classic !!!.

 

 

 

It was even more fitting that we got 'Don't Look Back In Anger' and to end with it was even more special with 'The Beatle's classic 'All You Need Is Love' as the closing song to his set.

 

 

 

 

 

Many People I'd chatted to throughout the day didn't make it through to the whole set falling back from the barrier after the crush, but I was determined to last to the end, I even got one of 'Noel's plectrums at the end and my honoury 'Setlist' .

 

 

Well it was as expected a lively bunch ,afterward being no exception with many fans worse for wear I must've been the only sober person there. 

 

 

One fan had the insane idea of hanging on to the back of a bus as it left much to the police's horror such was the struggle to get back home due to cancelled train chaos on the Railways up north as commuters feel the squeeze on services to and from events. 

 

 

No such worry for me my transport back is more reliable.

 

 

The only problem I had was a dead leg and was battered and bruised soaking wet with lager but I'm satisfied, Good night out in 'Warrington'. 

 

 

 

 

 

LMi xo