Saturday.

El Dorado Festival? Nope, never heard of it before, wonder what that’s all about? A conversation that I had with myself as I drove past a noticeboard on the side of the road, on the way home from Malvern late one eve that was advertising the upcoming events at Eastnor Castle. As they say, no good story starts with a salad, so after a couple of Thatchers I foolishly emailed Reg offering to go, why do I do such things?

A brief history for you, before I tell you all about my weekend at El Dorado 2023. Cirque Du Soul, (ever heard of them, if not Mr. Google is your friend) unveiled their very first festival in 2016 in the same location as this years, and, unsurprisingly all other previous years; this was at Eastnor Castle, Ledbury, Herefordshire. Cirque Du Soul are normally self-professed ‘party creators’. Though this time, through hard work, and a tadge of good fortune, they rediscovered the previously lost kingdom of El Dorado; a land which has streets paved with gold, it’s layered with lakes of fresh water, and has never ending green jungles; it was described in the history books as a land so beautiful that you would never want to leave. To those who dared enter the kingdom it promised an escape from everyday life, with a touch of something a little more exotic thrown in, or so they claim!

More of the artists that I saw in a bit, but firstly, let me share some of the sights and sounds of El Dorado 2023 with you. If I was to say that anyone there over the age of 30 was a novelty, almost a rarity some would say? When you finally spot someone in that bracket, as you passed at distance a knowing nod was the order of the day, yet when these grey haired individuals in ‘normal clothing’ having never known or spoken to one another previously, got close to one another they stopped, and they chatted like old friends, topics were inevitably ‘feeling old’, ‘baby-sitting, ‘school parties’ and the like…..starting to really visualise the scene yet? If so, that will go some way to setting the rest of the scene that I’m about to describe to you?

Picture something like a mini Ibiza, I guess? A sea of retina burning colours, more than a just hint of hedonistic values, the almost constant waft of weed in the air, and ‘suspicious’ white powder being sold & sniffed off of keys in plain sight, with me here?

There is a ‘dressing up theme’ each year at El Dorado, and this year the theme for the Saturday was ‘Space Cowboy’, voted for prior to the event by those with tickets apparently, virtually unlimited boundaries right there I would have thought? I’d have gone with Jamiroquai’s version if needed, that’d thrown a spanner in the works, I’m sure? And sticking with tradition, (some say as old as El Dorado itself), the Sunday theme, leaving that door wide open, was of course, gold!

Given the above mentioned theme, there were sparkly cowboy hats aplenty, cut-off jeans teamed with cowboy boots and multi coloured metallic waistcoats, rainbows aplenty, small pink ponies on sticks, and eye-wateringly tight gold shorts! With both genders dressing alike, it was sometimes very difficult to confirm what was what, who was who! Oh, I forgot to mention another popular item of ‘clothing’, regularly on display, and sported again by both genders, and that is the ubiquitous ‘Chaps’, worn at El Dorado (generally) with nothing underneath, or so it appeared to me? Is that a thing? My personal view is that look, when sported by an attractive woman is extremely pleasing, yet when a bloke with glitter smeared hairy arse cheeks passes you by, in relatively close proximity (as you’re sat down at a table), it is a somewhat, and after much thinking, traumatic is the only word I can use here, experience, there is absolutely no pleasure connection there! The close pass wasn’t an isolated case of ‘Men in Chaps Sans Shreddies’ either, they were a relatively common sight over the weekend!

Ok, promise me that you’ll remember all of these mental images as you drop off to sleep tonight, or perhaps if you do remember then maybe you won’t drop off? There are times when I do regret being a photographer due to the sights that I have to endure, in the name of creativity!

Note to self….Chaffing Cream may sell well there next year? And at least I didn’t see any ‘Cats’, Sheep’ or the like there dressed as Space Cowboys, well not that I know of?

Ok, enough of trying to set the scene to give you an idea of what El Dorado is, time to talk about the music there, which is what I went to see / hear and to tell you about? Points to note…I can find the words to describe some of the acts more descriptively than some of the others, some I found far easier to write about than others, so given that, and as you’ll see I’ll cover some of the acts in more detail than some others, my article my choice!

This year El Dorado boasts a relatively unfamiliar (to me) musical line up. I know a few names on the schedule, but not all by any means. That means it’s going to be a musical adventure for me. What I normally do in cases like this, and something that I suspect most of you do, albeit for very different reasons, and that is I resort to ‘Facebook Stalking’. That way I do get an idea of what I’m about to hear, and what I’m possibly going to see, that way I can think about how I’m going to take the images that I do.

After waiting for the heaviest showers to do one I decided to be brave and go for it. I rocked up at the festival late Saturday morning. On arrival I asked where to park (expecting a Media area to be pointed out) and was promptly informed that there wasn’t any particular media parking area and that I’d passed the general carpark, so I needed to turn around and go and park in it, way over in yonder distance! Which I reluctantly did!

Next to find Accreditation. So, with the accreditation point found I get into the queue as highlighted on my ‘eTicket’ and arrival instructions only to find that, as I get to the front of the queue the girl in the ‘window’ doesn’t have the authority to authorise my accreditation and I need to be in the queue ‘at that window’ instead! In the interests of harmony and good relations I adopt the stance and the attitude of a milkman’s’ pony, and I stand patiently waiting. Once at the window the process was simple and straight forward, Festival and Press wristbands issued, and with no Press Info Pack in sight, I’m off to Bag Search.

It went along these lines:

“Hello Sir, how are you; can I ask please, what’s in the bag?”

Me – “Hello Fella, I’m good Thank You, how are you, it’s cameras, I’m a photographer”

“Ah ok, no problems, in you go then, through there, (turns around and points) follow the fence line, and around to the right”

Me – Thank You……

Moral of the story, if you want to take anything ‘iffy’ in tell ‘em you’re a photographer, you won’t be searched!

So, I follow the instructions and start the trek to get into the actual festival area, I say trek cos with an iffy ankle / foot the 10 / 12 min walk to the area was a trek…..as I get closer I hear the absolutely fabulous Oh My God It’s The Church (OMGITC) strike up…..if you’re not familiar with them, you need to be, and it is because of them that I increase the pace slightly, heading to the pit gate. The crowd at this stage is quite small, and I have no problem negotiating gaps in the crowd to get to the gate. I show my Press wristband and I’m let in, just as it starts to drizzle, did I just say drizzle…I meant rain?

Oh My God It’s The Church

I had the pleasure of seeing OMGITC a few years ago at the Nozstock Festival, what a show that was…..and it’s good to see that they haven’t changed it too much. If you’ve never seen OMGITC before then just so you know what to expect, stood before me is Reverend Michael Alabama Jackson a Reverend / Preacher from America’s ‘Deepest South’, he’s dressed in a dapper leopard skin patterned suit, complete with tasseled sleeves, sporting a black large wide brimmed hat, and wearing THE smartest pair of shoes a preacher ever did wear! There are 3 Nuns / Sisters, all dressed, for now, in red, white, and blue robes stood in a line just behind the preacher, and there are (of course) various other characters dispersed around the stage with musical instruments strapped to them, or in some cases, by them…..

Word has quickly spread rapidly, and even more ‘Space Cowboys’ are soon coming across to see the sights and hear the sounds, to see what OMGITC is already offering to the now sizeable crowd! At points in the set the rain is coming down in sheets, as the deluge sets about us, the band keep playing, and a kind security guy offers me a black bin bag to protect my kit from the rain as I’m out in it taking photographs. I set about tearing holes in it to allow the lens to poke through, and other holes allow me to press random buttons on the camera, fooling those close by into thinking that I know what I’m doing!

Despite their original perceived reluctance to be there, surprisingly the crowd (the sinners) do not waiver in the face of the weather onslaught, they hold their nerve, and they are rewarded. There’s humour, there’s audience engagement, there’s an air of religion (of sorts), there’s preaching, lots of preaching, there’s costumes, there’s dancing, oh, and there’s music, fabulous music; everything is put into a pot, mixed together and what is needed to make OMGITC what they are, and why they draw crowds wherever they go is displayed for all. Over the course of the next 45 mins we are treated to a spectacle of theatre, dance, and showmanship, and of course expert musicianship. We are also treated to the ‘Sisters’ robes being cast aside, to allow some most unholy clothing to be displayed, no complaints from me on that one!

The Reverend even takes off a shoe at one point and holds it triumphantly in the air, before speaking to those gathered before him, his congregation of sinners; very soon he has one and all holding one of their shoes in the air, ah, the power of words.

Imagine if you will, a vision of a hybrid of Cheech & Chong (remember them) in a long flowing robe, carrying a sign asking for weed? Well an appearance at El Dorado is made by said hybrid; he graces the grassed area just behind the bulk of the assembled Space Cowboys, and his coming is immediately seized upon by The Reverend who, I guess, sees him as justification for everything OMGITC is doing? He refers to him as ‘Sexy Jesus’….they exchange banter in the rain for a short time, finally Sexy Jesus, obviously more interested in acquiring more weed than he got there, departs and normal service is resumed.

OMGITC live by 4 simple words, the Reverend tells the assembled masses. Those words are the basis on which they (the band) live their lives; if everyone else followed their example then the world would be a much better place he declares! I have to say I completely agree with him. A huge cheer goes up and the confirmation of masses agreement is obvious for all to hear!Those words you say? Those words are: Don’t. Be. A. Dick.

I could describe so much more of OMGITC’s antics to you, but I fear Reg (the Editor) won’t be too impressed, so instead I shall leave them, and I will share more of the festivals musical attributes with you!

Before I move on just so as you know who’s who, OMGITC are, in their own words:

The Reverend Michael Alabama Jackson – The unquestioned Leader of the Church.

Sister Mary Lou – Lovingly described as the Love Child of Dolly Parton & Hulk Hogan. Regularly nude, trashy and rude! Get in the queue.

Sister Mary Jane (My personal favourite Sister) – She puts the ‘ass’ in classy, and the cava in champagne, all the sinners know her name.

Sister Mary Joy – A cross between a Duracell Bunny and homemade lemonade. Her soul is purer than Mahatma Ghandi…!

Morgan The Organ (Keyboard) – A weird feral man-child. He is cursed with the social skills of a wild woodland mammal but blessed with the musical prowess of a classical prodigy.

T.W (Bass) – Has learnt to communicate with the world through his beloved bass guitar in the language known as bass-solo “bow-pa-doh”, which apparently means “praise the mother fuckin’ lord”…I think?

The Pied Piper (Lead Guitar) – He met the Devil at a crossroads and made a secret pact.

Danny The Sax Offender (Saxomaphone) – Like a hairy magpie he loves shiny metal, will polish anything for a dollar.

Psychedelic Simon (Trumpet) – Who is this Freaky Friar, blowing fanfares full of sass?

“I’m Psychedelic Simon fool! I’ll put some brass inside your ass.”

Monsieur Flablam (Drums) – After taking a wrong turn whilst visiting the Statue of Liberty. he became the first Frenchman to visit Alabama since 1964.

Gardna

Next to grace the stage is Gardna, someone I knew very little about previously.  Hailing from Bristol, Gardna is a rapidly growing force within the UK music scene. He’s not a new boy by any stretch, he’s been around a few years now, and from what I see before me he has learnt his trade well; from the moment he starts his set it’s painfully obvious that he is a big presence not only on this stage, but no doubt on any stage that he saunters on to, there is no mistaking just who is the main man! Gardna has worked with the likes of The Nextmen and Gentleman’s Dub Club, he’s been on numerous national radio stations, BBC R1 & BBC R6 to name two, his credentials are good.

He chats with the audience between the songs, he’s got a very likeable personality, and very soon

they aren’t an audience any longer, they’re Gardnas friends, and that is his job done. In between all of this chatter there are some very catchy tunes delivered by Gardna, all hold my attention as I watch him easily work his now dancing friends.

The Weather Gods look down upon Eastnor, they decide they like this music, they cast their votes, and the verdict is a positive one for us, we are blessed with just a light spattering of rain throughout the set, there is no deluge, that was delivered earlier, to The Church!

The allocated 45 mins is soon up, It passed all too quickly. Gardna leaves us with his latest single, Regional Banger. An absolutely crackin’ tune!

The arrival of Gardna’s next solo LP was announced in early 2023. It should, if this performance is anything to go by, propel him further and faster along his career path; once named as a BBC Future Artist of the Month, it is easy to see him as a ‘Big Name’ in the industry in the not-too-distant. He’s already played Glastonbury this year, and travelled internationally to share his brand.

His music is available on all the normal platforms should you wish to hear more from Gardna, and he has the standard Social Media presence. In the meantime, keep ‘em peeled for numerous festival appearances from Gardna. Go and see him, you won’t regret it.

Jelani Blackman

A rapper eh? Can’t see me being overly enthused with this? A couple of the thoughts that ran through my head as I stood waiting for Jelani Blackman to start his set. Again I checked my kit, again it was fine, I hadn’t ‘forgotten’ to change any settings. Then suddenly it’s all happening, and I’m looking around to see what I have to work with there in front of me in the form of Mr Jelani Blackman.

A little bit of background for you, before I bang on. Jelani is a London based rapper, born in Brixton, he grew up in Ladbroke Grove, (but went to Uni in Newcastle), and now lives in East London. He most certainly has his own style, but he will tell you he’s influenced by Soul, RnB and Grime, siting Dizzee Rascal and Lauryn Hill as the biggest individuals influences.

His first EP titled “1-4” was released in 2016, so he, like Gardna, is certainly not a New Boy. Jelani has come a long way since those days, he’s not only a rapper, he’s also a songwriter, and a very gifted one, he has collaborated with artists such as, Stormzy, Arlo Parks, Gorillaz, and Wolf Alice, so you get the levels that he operates at!

I‘m the only one in ‘the Pit’, the only ‘Pit Monkey’ so I have freedom to walk the length of the pit at my leisure, I can look at angles, at backgrounds, at the lighting, and I’m free from being nudged and knocked, and I don’t have to observe any form of photographers etiquette, and yes there is such a thing! It won’t be hard to take a few decent images of the man on the stage before me. He already has a big crowd there, that’s always a good sign for me, it means that generally the artist will be ‘working the crowd’ and will be getting about on stage; that’s a two edged sword, in a full pit it’s a mare, when you’re all alone, as I was, it makes life easy.

The music I’m hearing is not what I was expecting to hear in the slightest. It almost makes me want to stand, to listen, and to watch the performance, but that’s not what I’m there to do, for now! I cut about the pit and in no time at all I’ve got the basic images that I need, now I can watch; I watch to see what idiosyncrasies singers / bands have, what makes them unique to photograph, where does the light fall on them, when they stand in a certain place where do I need to be to get a good plain background to make them stand out in an image, lots of little things to consider to up the quality of the images that I produce!

Jelani does stand out from the pack, he is indeed ‘different’. There is lots of energy and some fabulous music coming from that stage, It’s not Eminem style rap, despite the energy, it has a beautiful soulful touch to it, it’s difficult to describe really, you need to hear it for yourself to understand, and to feel it.

After his set finishes (as I have access to the rear of the stage and surrounding areas) I approach him for a chat. I put my hand out to for him to shake, which without any hesitation he does. I thank him for a cracking performance, and I tell him that that wasn’t what I was expecting, at all.

He asks my name as he as he shakes my hand, not many will do either of those things, let alone both! I reiterate that I enjoyed the set very much, and he is utterly charming, thanking me for several times for enjoying his performance; throughout our short (5 min chat) he is articulate, he is engaging, he is curious, and he asks questions about me, it’s not all about him, artists do (normally) like to talk about themselves!  During our chat he told me he was off to South Africa in a few days, to gig over there. I would imagine he would go down a storm over there, having seen and heard Jelani Blackman, I can safely say that they are in for a treat, and I have a new name on my Deezer Playlist!

Kofi Stone

Kofi Stone is another hidden gem, well he was for me! Not someone who would normally feature on my musical radar. Like Jelani before, Kofi is London born, East London to be accurate. Although he was soon off to Birmingham (where he was raised) and there he’s stayed, Birmingham is now his base.

There is a lot of activity from the gathering masses of Space Cowboys prior to Kofi’s set time, do they know something that I don’t, I wonder? You can sense the anticipation building, you can feel it; as soon as he steps out on to the stage Kofi gets a rapturous reception, a beaming smile crosses his face, he obviously feels at home here! Looking back, I think they did know….!!!

Imagine Jazz, from back in the day, well mix it up then add it to some banging 90’s Hip Hop, (still with me here?) and you’re starting to get somewhere near what you get fm Kofi. Delivered in a laidback way, and with a whole range of topics included in there, the music (Jazz Rap) that Kofi produces is fabulous.

Both rap battles as a child, and busking on Birmingham’s streets have helped shaped Kofi to the talent that he is today. And he is deploying that talent up there on the stage, albeit in a very laidback way. Tracks from his album ‘Nobody Cares Until Everybody Does’ are forthcoming, and all are appreciated by the crowd. The album cover depicts a drawing of a scene with Kofi in a green puff jacket busking on the streets of Birmingham. He describes a crowd forming around him, and presumably rapping with him, and he says, ‘Nobody cares until everybody does’.

More recently Kofi has worked with the Danish, (London based) Musician, Producer, and Vocalist Marie Dahlstrom. She released her new album ( A Good Life) on 22nd May, track 06 ‘Make It Up To You’ is a collaboration between her and Kofi. It’s about a relationship, the cracks appearing within it, and a couple trying to fix it.

It appears that 45 minutes have passed, and we’re into the last offering from Kofi, where did that go? As with Jelani, using the ‘because I can principle’, I caught up with Kofi backstage, and I had a quick chat with him. Kofi is a very humble person, again just like Mr. Blackman, there was no “it’s all about me” attitude from him, which in my books is a huge bonus with any artist; he shook my hand, he asked about me, and he accepted my comments graciously. As we parted he said Thank You and again, reached out and shook my hand. Keep an eye out for Mr. Kofi Stone, a fabulous musician, and a decent human being. I genuinely don’t have cause to say that too often these days!

Dutty Moonshine Big Band

Now there’s a name! What type of images does the name Dutty Moonshine Big Band (DMBB) conjure up inside your head? When I first saw that they were on the bill I had to do some research, you know, as you do, just to check. They are indeed a big band, there are 13 members, that I can count, some images have 12 some 13, you decide! The DMBB emerged from the ashes of a DJ outfit (also named Dutty Moonshine, originally formed in 2010) and made up of Michael Rack and Alex Furley. The duet split amicably in 2015, but rather than go solo Mike started up a big band instead, an outfit designed to play the Dutty Moonshine sound live.

I think the easiest way to describe the DMBB is “a live Electronic Dance act”, but that doesn’t really even start to scratch the surface if I’m honest and from what I saw. The band is crammed full of Jazz trained musicians (and whilst they pay homage to the genre of days gone by, a traditional Jazz outfit they are definitely not!).

In fact they are a full on, very loud, extremely fast paced, heavy bass music act. From the very off you can see and hear that they are possessed with an infectious energy whilst on stage, it is that contagious energy which drives their unique sounds. The much talked about ‘take no prisoners attitude’ that they have comes guaranteed with any Dutty Moonshiners performance. There is always something going on somewhere on the stage, you just have to be looking at the right place at the right time, difficult to do when you’re dancin’ to their irresistible beats…..

Despite a significant delay in stage time, due to yet another monsoon style storm passing through the valley the DMBB are up for this. I know that as I spent 20 mins sheltering from the torrential rain under a lean to with them. There is banter, there are insults, there is humour, there are probably nerves, and there is contagious laughter, there is everything that you would expect from a group of individuals who know one another very well, and are hyped up ready to perform.

The rain subsides and the DMBB make their way (noisily) to the stage, where they are greeted by an already sizeable crowd, who, by the bedraggled look of most, have been there waiting. And without further delay we’re off, it’s loud, and it’s full on! The frontman, the conductor of the organised mayhem, is Mr. Moonshine himself (Mike), he oversees proceedings both on and off stage, the crowd soon engage with him, and he in turn makes the crowd feel they are part of the Moonshiners performance! Along with her phenomenal (and undisputed) vocal talents the Moonshine beauty is provided by the gorgeous Maria, a 5ft sod all pocket rocket of a lady who has the ability to rap in quickfire style that is up there in the top 1% of those I’ve ever seen. Dressed in a yellow ‘jumpsuit’, she is the focal point of the performance, easy to spot as she cuts about the stage, she makes my job easy as she is so animated as she passionately delivering the Moonshine style vocals.

Behind these two are the rest of the band, without any single one of them there on that stage the band would not be ‘the band’, all play their part without any visible effort, and all obviously enjoy willingly giving their musical souls for your enjoyment. We are treated to track after track of full on, fully charged, high tempo music, laced, I’m sure, with an addictive substance, for it is exactly that, addictive. My personal favourite you ask? The DMBB version of Bang Bang, go give it a listen! To get the complete DMBB experience you need to be up close and personal, to have exposure to it all first hand; its sights, and its sounds cannot be replicated by words alone, they cannot provide a complete understanding of just what I witnessed there.

I simply cannot do justice to their performance with written word alone. Seek them out, at least once, see what’s it’s all about. If you don’t enjoy it, if your body doesn’t move on its own, and if you don’t want to go through it all again immediately then give your head a wobble….

As with nearly every band these days the DMBB are on all Social Media platforms, and their music is available on all major streaming services. Go and check them out, they are an essential listen, you will like what you hear!

Joy (Anonymous)

Joy (Anonymous) are a DJ set up, with some 38K Followers on Instagram they are far from anonymous though, it appears! They are championed on BBC Radio 1, they have performed at BBC Maida Vale, and Damon Albarn is a fan. Despite having 38K Followers I’m not familiar with them, nor their particular style. And tonight Matthew they are the penultimate act of the evening.

I stand in the pit looking as I do, for angles and the like, (as I mentioned that I do earlier in this article), difficult to achieve with (by its very definition) a static act.

Without wanting to insult ‘Joy’, I saw what I can only describe as Kevin & Perry up on that stage behind ‘the decks’. One, who was overly animated, doing his thing, and one (I don’t know who is who) stood to his right with a mic in his hand. I set about my task, still wondering what I was about to experience. After a couple of tracks I decided I’d had enough, it’s not really my thing, stood watching 2 blokes play records? I’m sure their talent is indisputable in their field, but to me (perhaps it’s my age?) it all blended in, (is it supposed to perhaps?)!

As you’ve probably gathered, I’m struggling to find anything overly positive to write about Joy (Anonymous); they didn’t grab me, nor did they hold my fast fading attention. I decided that rather than subject myself to any more I’d leave Joy, and the crowd (who were obviously enjoying themselves) to it and retired back stage, only to be greeted by the security staff moving barriers, cordoning off areas, and creating access areas within an already limited access area? I had to ask why, but I could guess. There was an ego somewhere in our midst!

KC And The Sunshine Band

I remember KC & The Sunshine Band from back in the day, when they were an original band, not an ‘Old Skool’ act. Firstly a bit of history for you. The band was formed in 1973 by Harry Wayne Casey (who is KC himself) and Richard Finch. With some cracking tunes to their name the band survived until 1981, when the original partnership came to acrimonious end. The band continued with some minor successes, but its failure to crack America forced KC into retirement around 1985.

In the 90’s the reemergence of disco style music tempted KC out of retirement and persuaded him to reform the band, which they happened, with a couple of original members amongst its line up.

Time is getting tight, enforced weather delays are putting pressure on the time plan. There are flurries of activity everywhere around, backstage, on stage, on the various control points, and from my point of view I can see that security are agitated, that’s never a good sign, I stand at the back of the stage area watching with intrigue as it all unfolds.

At the appointed time I amble over to the pit area. One of the Security girls, who has been nothing but professional and helpful throughout the day beckons to me, she leans towards me to say something, I tilt my head to listen but fail spectacularly to hear anything that makes any sense to me, as at that moment the drummer decides he needs to let off some pent up energy, so I have to ask her to repeat herself. “Two songs and out” she says, “Really? WTF” is my reply! “Yeah, and the pit area is closed from now to anyone without a band”…..I can only repeat my disbelief by muttering “WTF”? Did I mention egos earlier, there’s no other reason! On stage the band are getting ready, there are singers / dancers stretching, getting into positions that are not humanly possible, or so I thought, musicians go through their routines, its all going off! For a few minutes that carnage continues and someone, who appears to be the bands coordinator, rushes around checking everyone is ready, and I guess, happy with their lot?

The stage clears, the band disappear from the back of the stage area. There appears to be calm for a few minutes, then I see the band backstage, changed and ready. The lights dim, smoke starts to cover the stage, and the band appear, in quick succession, one by one, taking their allotted place on the stage. The smoke increases and there are now, compared to earlier a significant amount of photographers in the pit, the number has increased tenfold so photographers etiquette does need observing. Judging by the free for all there are some who have not heard of this old fashioned etiquette thing, to quote my pal Krusher, sigh!

More smoke, and yes, more smoke!!! WTAF! From deep within the smoke, which is now completely enveloping the stage, appears an individual who introduces himself as KC and tells the assembled masses that tonight they’re going to see a show! He reminds them that he was once their Grandmothers Boyzone, and he’s not wrong, work it out yourself!

As the smoke continues to cover the stage, in volumes and in density that would easily hide a squadron of Challenger tanks, we try to do what we’re there to do, take some photos. I find myself stood next to one of the other old hands in there, we both have our cameras held down at waist level, (never a good position to take photos from), we look at one another and we simultaneously roll our eyes, shouted words of basically “HTF are we supposed to take images in this” are exchanged! Given we only have 2 songs to get anything remotely useable, this could prove interesting.

The band are on to their second offering and I’m still waiting for any clear shots of the band, either as individuals, or as a whole, this smoke is trashing it. One good thing about rain showers is that there are frequently squalls associated with them, and luckily for us photographers one comes along and all but clears the stage of smoke or a precious few seconds, this allows us to try to get the images we seek. And then it’s all over, that’s the end of track 2 and we’re out of there. I see a few shakes of the head from those around me, I know that means they’ve struggled. I have to ask, why? Why do bands (management?) say X amount of tracks for photos, and then the stage isn’t visible for 90% of that timeframe?

I stood for a while, at the rear of the audience, watching the performance on stage. The audience loved the retro on display here. They danced, they cheered, and it was obvious they certainly enjoyed it.  I didn’t stay until the end, I beat a hasty retreat whist I could in the current dry conditions. As I made my way back to the carpark I could hear the classic KC & The Sunshine Bands tracks being delivered, and the cheers were confirmation that it was going down a treat.

Ah yes, before I leave Saturday I previously mentioned egos didn’t I? You do wonder when the KC & The Sunshine Band official website has History as its second page, and within that page there are two tabs, the second tab is About The Band, the first is…….About Me! Just sayin’!

Words & images: Haydn Wiltshire (Taff Rimages)

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