Festival Season

Thursday, 1st August, 2013

The sun is shining (well mostly) and festival season is upon us. This last weekend, Alligator Gumbo was invited to play at Kendal Calling, a three day festival held near Penrith. There were great headliners there; Public Enemy, Basement Jaxx and Johnny Marr. Basement Jaxx really tickled my fancy, they had a great set which got everyone dancing, one of their best tunes was Good Luck – but nothing very surprising or particularly different all the same.

Even with so many big names, the little guys had, in my eyes, far more to offer. One of my new favourite bands Riot Jazz Brass Band were one of my festival bests.

Along with Leeds’ based Tanz, Leeds, Riot Jazz and a few other little known bands really made my weekend. Listen out for the beautiful intricate harmonies between the violin and clarinet – and that incredible altissimo range on the clarinet!

But one of the crowning moments of the week was getting involved in an impromptu jam at Kendal – This is what all the hard work is for!