Feature article: BatFest 2010

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Kevin Gaughan reports

Batfest took place on 21st August, 2010 at Battram, near Ibstock, Coalville, and was organised rganised by Elliot O’Brart.

The line up was:

Sam & Dale
Knitters Jig
Joe
JD – Jess & Dave
Joe
She can’t fly
Third time lucky
Bring Back the Dodos
City of Dan (formerly Identity Parade)
The Stiggz
BKTB

BatFest is an annual event held for charity in the tiny but pretty village of Battram. We were going there mainly to see a few bands that we knew, as well as to help the charity and see a few bands we didn’t know. The festival was primarily a music festival with a couple of stalls selling home made cakes and a raffle stall.

The BatFest stage at night

It started at around midday but we got there at four o'clock, which was just before Sam and Dale’s performance came to an end. Sam & Dale, are the two guitarists from the bands Third Time Lucky and Beauty Killed the Beast (BKTB).

When we arrived they were playing an acoustic set, which, as always with these guys, was quite well polished and well executed. Dale did the singing which was pleasant and very enjoyable to listen to. Needless to say, it was quite early in the proceedings so there wasn’t much of a crowd but the crowd that was there enjoyed them.

A good start to the day, we thought. Now, where’s that bar I’d been told about? Ah yes, inside the village hall which was next to the stage. The stage, by the way, consisted of a lorry trailer - not particularly glamorous, but it did the job, although the scaffolding got in the way of the photographs.

Having got my beer - the proceeds of which went to charity - we went back outside to watch Knitters Jig, a 3 piece band playing Irish Jig music. They were fronted by a very energetic lady who got into the crowd and explained how to do some of the dances to go with the music. There was good audience participation, all of whom were having a great time. The music was good too, with plenty of the traditionally Irish sounding fiddle parts. A good band and a fun time; I like Knitters Jig for their sheer fun appeal.

Joe at Batfest

Next up, a woman called Joe. The organiser of the event (Elliott O'Brart) told us she had just turned up and insisted she do her performance, which would have been two hours long. There was no way she could fit into the schedule so she agreed to do her performance in ten minute chunks between bands. In practice, we felt she actually fitted into the proceedings well. Her act was Karaoke, which made me smile, but her voice wasn’t bad at times, only occasionally off key. Joe sang along to various backing tracks including the Carpenters and various others.

Jess and Dave on stage at BatFest

Next up, JD - Jess and Dave. We know Dave quite well and he has always impressed us with his voice, so it was nice to meet his girlfriend, Jess and see what they would be like as a duet. As soon as they started, we thought they sounded like professionals, they both played their acoustic guitars very well and Jess’s voice was actually very good, complimenting Dave’s well.

They also looked good together, although, because of the equipment on the stage, they sat far apart, at opposite sides of the stage, it would have been nicer to see them together, so that the audience could feel the chemistry more. Together they sounded like a solid, well rehearsed acoustic act. They played a good selection of covers and were very impressive. I’d like to see more of this couple as they put on a good show.

After JD, I fancied a JD, so I popped into the bar only to find they didn’t have any Jack Daniel’s. Oh well, still conscious about doing my bit for charity, I got another beer.

She Can't |Fly at Batfest

Back to the stage and Joe was on again providing some easy-listening entertainment while the next band set up. The next band were She Can’t Fly who are a five piece band with a female singer. They took a while getting ready due to technical problems with the sound. But while setting up the singers’ microphone, I could tell she had a good voice which I was really looking forward to hearing.

When they did eventually start, their music was good, very good, we really enjoyed their mix of up tempoed indie style songs, having three guitarists, they had a good well rounded guitar sound and the singers’ voice (Louise O'Donnel) was very enjoyable to listen to, although, it was often drowned out by the strong guitar section. I would really have liked to have heard much more of her voice, it really was very good. She Can’t Fly is, without a doubt, a name I’ll be looking out for at a proper gig and will hopefully be writing more about them in these pages. Watch this space!

Next up, did my bit for charity again, heard a bit more of good old Joe and then on with Third Time Lucky.

Third Time Lucky playing at BatFest

A fantastic threesome I’ve seen before with Zak Wisehall on Vocals and guitar, Josh Barnett on bass and Jon Jones on drums. As always, thoroughly enjoyable to watch with their catchy mix of melodic, guitar-centric, Indie tunes. Josh on bass, who usually put on a mesmerising visual performance, was quite restrained, probably just as well as the stage was quite cramped with equipment and cables. They were still full of energy and performed their, mainly original, material well. As always, a solid, memorable, performance from these guys.

Not sure if Joe was on again, as I went inside to do my bit for charity!

Bring back the Dodos

Next up – Bring Back the Dodos, another five piece with a female singer. The female vocalist was quite charismatic and we couldn’t help but warm to her with her chat between songs. She came across as being very genuine and quite likable. They performed a covers set which included more rocky numbers from the likes of Pink and AC/DC.

Generally the songs were performed well and the lady’s voice had good strength behind it, although, again at times there were parts where it wasn’t loud enough. Generally, we quite liked this band, the Pink songs were very well executed and sounded close to the original.

The AC/DC song, however, probably as it’s one of my favourite songs, was a little disappointing. Apparently they formed just for this gig, so I’ll forgive their imperfections, and overall, especially considering they only had a couple of weeks to rehearse, were pretty damned good.

City of Dan playing at Batfest

Did my bit for charity, yet again, then back to the stage for the City of Dan (formerly Identity Parade). I don’t think we saw any more of Joe for the rest of the night.

The City of Dan played a wonderful set of their own material, which I really appreciated. I enjoyed their quite unique sound and different effects on the guitars. It was really nice to hear the raw, grungy guitar sound but at a medium pace and totally memorable riffs. Connor’s voice was very good, too. They featured the amazing Zak Wisehall, guitarist, who had played in a few bands on the day, he was given the chance to flex his musical muscles a bit here, which was great, really great.

I thoroughly enjoyed this band, and again, will definitely be looking out for them at a proper gig.

The Stiggz on stage at Batfest

Following on from the City of Dan were The Stiggz who blasted onto the stage playing their amazingly enjoyable songs. I’ve seen this band several times before and they never fail to impress. The crowd were involved with both clapping and singing, although not at the same time, thankfully, as that would have stretched this particular member of the crowd a bit too much!

The guitar riffs from Mr. Jack Patrick really hit the spot – ludicrously catchy, and, when they burst into the short guitar solo of Fire Exits, the hairs on the back of my neck all stood to attention! They have so much material, it was nice to hear some of their older songs as well as the new ones. These guys put in a solid performance, note perfect, and I really can’t wait to see them again this weekend (August 28th, 2010) supporting Example! at Strawberry fields.

BKTB at Batfest

Finally, Beauty Killed the Beast (BKTB), exploded onto the stage with front man, Elliott O’Brart, who also organised the whole day, as if he didn’t have enough to do.

Again, I’ve seen these a few times and always enjoy the music, with the three guitars of Sam, Dale and Josh, they have a good solid guitar section and riffs that are difficult to forget. The crowd really enjoyed BKTB and Elliott’s charismatic personality shone through as he cracked a couple of well used jokes between songs, but still appreciated by the audience.

They were a pleasure to watch, with Elliott being so energetic and Josh on bass really getting into the music - I just don’t know how he can move like that and still get all the notes in the right order, let alone at the right time! Beauty Killed the Beast put in a consistently good performance playing some of their own material mixed in with a few covers.

Hats off to Elliott who did a good Job of fronting BKTB and for organising the whole day.