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Review of Cambridge Ska Fest 7
Sat 24th September 2022
By Citrus George and Theo
We arrived at The Junction where there was a good sized crowd waiting
at the bar and in the auditorium. The Frontline Soundsystem were spinning
some old school reggae / ska vinyl which was getting people in the
mood and there was a really friendly, chilled vibe. Most people seemed
to know each other and it felt like a very inclusive almost family
like atmosphere.
When RudeSix took to the stage they grabbed our attention
straight away. They looked amazing and oozed confidence and charisma.
Liv, the lead singer had an enigmatic presence and a voice that hit
the high notes with ease and was effortlessly fluid especially noticable
on their belting versions of ‘Uptown Top Ranking’ and ‘Ghost
Town’. She didin’t need to posture and prove she was the
focus of the band it was obvious. The brass section, Sam and Jonah
were tight and enjoying playing off each other and harmonising together.
We have learned that they are departing to other projects which is
a shame but what a great
opening for any ska loving horn players....watch this space!
The bass player was cool as f##k grooving away in his
own zone and keeping the rhythm tight but loose at the same time (only
great bass players know how to do this). The drummer, Harry who we
believe is the longest serving band member apart from Liv provided
plenty of energy whacking the skins in perfect off-beats and killer
fills. The guitarist was getting some really cool effects out of his
pedals expanding his role beyond the conventional ska sound and making
the band sound bigger and more contemporary than more conventional
Ska acts.
All in all we were blown away by this band. They had the crowd in
their side from the offset and maintained their focus and attention.
They played mainly covers but they also write their own songs and
they are every bit as good as the rest of the material. Their 2018
Ep Trip Club has some quality self-penned tunes especially the last
track ‘The Reality of War’ which is brilliantly written
and as spiky, political and hard-hitting as anything that The Specials
came out with back in the day. All of their music is available to
buy on their Bandcamp page or on their website.
Hailing from Nuneaton and mainly playing in the West Midlands area
it was a real treat to watch this band and we will be waiting to see
if they are down this way again. They are already getting booked up
for the festival season in 2023 including the Bearded Theory Festival
in Derbyshire, The Double Diamond Music Weekender in Oxfordshire and
Outcider in Somerset playing with the mighty Dub Pistols, If any of
these are near(ish) to you.... go check them out!
Of course it would be naive to think that anyone here tonight hadn’t
come to see Big Ten. They have gathered such a huge reputation as
a live / party band that never disappoint and always entertain to
the max with a huge line up that includes every component of every
ska band that you would want to see. It is the third time that I have
seen them but they are every but as good as I remember.
What is not to love about them? They are ten musicians whacking out
the classics from Madness ‘One Step Beyond, Night Boat to Cairo’
to The Specials ‘Do The Dog, Too Much Too Young’ to Dexy’s
Midnight Runners ‘Geno’ with such magnificence, they make
every song their own and obviously enjoy every minute of their time
on stage as do the audience..... skanking away and singing along to
well loved lyrics of timeless classics and chatting to familiar faces.
If you live in Cambridge and haven’t seen Big 10 perform theren
you really should. It is hard to describe the atmosphere. It is just
so heartwarming to see a crowd of people of all ages that are part
of a local music scene getting together and having a party like a
big family.
After Big 10 leave the stage there is a break in the music and a chance
to grab a drink or catch up with mates while The Equators set up.
Theo unfortunately started feeling faint and went home after Rude
Six’s performance (the reason for the the photography’s
drop in standards from this point....sorry!). I haven’t got any
mates at the gig so I stand on my own waiting for the Equators and
watching them set up. There is a noticeable change in atmosphere and
I am feeling my legs get tired. There aren’t as many people in
the auditorium now and I am reminded of how I have felt a few times
when I have headlined a gig but supported the most popular band. There
is a lot of energy required to turn a night around in this situation
and get people up dancing again.
I needn’t have worried though because when The
Equators come on although the audience has drifted off a bit they
soon get people’s adrenaline pumping again. I was immediately
mesmerised by the band. I had read their bio beforehand but wasn’t
prepared for their mastery of the craft. I should have realised that
the three original band members, the Bailey Brothers were going to
be exceptional performers and would have hand-picked the best musicians
to enhance their sound but what really got me was their energy.....Now
I’m no spring chicken but I was only just out of nappies when
these guys were in their heyday but they looked so fresh and full
of youthful swagger it was hard to comprehend that they were in the
original all-Jamaican ska band from Birmigham that supported The Beat
in the late seventies.
Rocky is a genius on the keyboards and it was thrilling
to see, as a player myself, someone who didn’t have to look at
the keys at all whilst holding the rhythm and off beats in perfect
synchronisation, something I couldn’t imagine ever accomplishing.
Leo is an awesome drummer that is so locked in to the beat that he
can loosen / tighten up at will and drop in cracking fills or ride
the tempo up or down to suit the mood of the song. Don just commands
the stage. I am in awe of the way he can move, dance, sing and I love
his use of the shaker with the classic ska reverb and of course all
the percussive vocal noises that are a hallmark of the sound and he
uses it to great
effect.... If I closed my eyes I would think that I was in a Birmingham
or London boozer in 1978 and the crowd starts picking up on this energy.
They start drifting back in after catching up at the bar and Don has
them in the palm of his hands.
He brings them back to where they were with Big 10, skanking away
and great vibes a-plenty. The horn section by the way are truly magnificent....
A great big bass saxophone with a hell of a punch and a trumpet player
with huge hair and beard to match.
They look and sound superb as do the guitarists... the bass mainly
stood next to Leo and the electric to the left of the stage both of
them locking the sound down and keeping it tight, They play many of
the songs from their now highly regarded album 'Hot'. Check it out...
it's a forgotten classic that sounds fresh and relevant in today's
society. 'Copper Man' addresses the 'stop and search' culture and
institutional racism that is still being flagged up in the police
force forty years on. 'Feelin' High' and 'Rescue Me' sound fresh and
vibrant as does 'Baby Come Back' their cover of The Equals / Eddie
Grant track that is probably their most recognisable song and seems
to have had a bit of a reinterpretation which packs more of a punch
than the original recording. The vibe gets more intense as their set
progresses as does the audience reaction. I can't help myself and
start dancing (badly) without alcoholic lubrication so hats off to
them for that.
After the last song the MC comes on stage to announce that it is the
end of the evening but amidst shouts for more they ignore him and
sign off with a cracking version of 'Pressure Drop' which I sing my
heart out to, along with many others around me.
Thanks to the Alley Club for a truly great evening and sorry for the
(very) late review. It was great to be with an inclusive and passionate
crowd who love life,
dancing and watching great, diverse music.
https://www.facebook.com/thealleyclub
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