Archive for September, 2010

With a full performance schedule of local bands and artists, Sunday’s FleetwoodStock Music Festival proved to be a real success. The busiest Sunday afternoon and evening ever seen at the Festival since it’s inception in 2005.

From Garstang, Payload started off proceedings and got things moving with their first live performance on the big stage.

Next up were local boys Red Cabbage with a guest appearance from yours truly on guitar. Baz, Gaz, Si and Andy delivering hard rocking tunes! Baz cant half nail Justin Hawkins’ voice!

Triple Threat, from Millfield Science and Performing Arts College definitely increased the threat level with their well rehearsed set encompassing some classic indie punk.

Alex Hulme, originally from Garstang and currently attending the Paul McCartney Institute for Performing Arts and living in Liverpool gave FleetwoodStock an insight into his unique, organic and earthy pop style. His performance wowed the audience, his intricate picking style, powerful and yet delicate voicing showcased his talent. Alex is a extremely talented person who has a very bright future in front of him. His new CD is available for download at Cityscape Records.

The up and coming band Degenerate Blues delivered an excellent set led by frontman Andy. Heavily influenced by the likes of Muse / Coldplay and  Elbow / Kings of Leon they treated the Marine Hall to an insight into where they could be going in the future as they move towards writing and performing their own material. Have a look at their MySpace for ‘To you I say’.

Steph Fraser, who’s very first performance was at the FleetwoodStock Music Festival back in 2006 aged just 14 years old, has come a long  way in her musical career. Her wonderful voice is mesmerising as she delivers her own music influenced by the likes of Eva Casady and Suzanne Vega. People who know Steph know that she definitely has her own sound. At this years festival people saw first hand the natural talent that Steph has.

Then came the nth Degree who delivered a progressive rock set that had all the hallmarks of  their DreamTheater / Rush / Pink Floyd / Marillion influences. Their own unique approach blended these influences with good effect. An excellent band who are worthy of greater things.

Afternoon headliners the Sonic Jam Project brought the afternoon session to a close. Local Tower Music man Oli Brown now fronts the band. A great musical mix following the Foo Fighters et al genre.

The evening session kicked off with Indigo Sands delivering a solidly performed set in front of a highly appreciative crowd. A band who’ve come a long way in the previous 12 months.

The fantastic ‘up and coming’ band Lune Deep are able to deliver crowd pleasing music. With an aim of cutting through into the mainstream pub and club scene this band will go far. Watch out for them.

The Ex Velocity members formed Escape Artist and in doing so now write and perform their own original sounds; the only evening band to do so. A well delivered set that was very well received by all of those attending the festival.

Local wedding and club/pub stalwarts Monkberry delivered a blistering set that got the toes tapping. No announcements anywhere to be heard, just a highly polished performance.  Steve Wilson (drums) has now moved onto other musical projects and his job has now been passed to the highly competent Tommy Couch. Fancy dress was optional on Sunday and Tommy took full advantage of this opportunity. He was ‘Mystery Man’, until yours truly announced to the Marine Hall who he was!

The Jeps arrived on stage and blasted their way through an extended set. Now firmly glued to the stage they had the audience exactly where they wanted them.  The room was now at fever pitch.

Double headliners The Blue Pig Orchestra and The Good Machine shared the last 2 hours of the evening. First up was Blue Pig Orchestra. Melodic blues and rock delivered in a professional and polished manner, everyone enjoyed listening to and watching these musicians at work. Darren Rice’s  (Dazamakiz Music Shop) guitar work on the Eagles’ Hotel California was electrifying.

If you like your rock/pop music flamboyant and in your face The Good Machine deliver every time. Their performance was full of stunning sounds and it was indeed a powerful performance. The guitarists, Mike and Rob, are complementary guitar fretboard masters shredding their way through classics from Bowie, Snow Patrol, The Killers and The Rolling Stones. Front man Mike delivered every lyric with passion and power at the end of the encore the audience were left wanting more. The Good machines next gig is at The Venue, Cleveleys on the 17th September; if you can,  be there…

A message from the Organisers:

And now we’d like to thank a few people. Our FleetwoodStock Festival happens because of the time and money many people devote and pledge to the weekend.

A big ‘thank you’ to you, if you attended and/or played at the event and supported us throughout the weekend, thank you, without you we would not have a festival.

The Marine Hall and Wyre Borough Council, to Keiran and all the Bar, Catering and support staff.

All the helpers. John Robinson, Steve and Tom Hanvey, Becci, George, Steve and Andrea Walker, Woody and Ann.

The sound and lighting crew: Tony, Stuart, Dave, Rich and Craig.

Alan Pearson and Dave Mann, without who’s help non of this year’s festival would have happened.

The Masonic Lodge, Tower Music, Tower Blues, T-Print, Gola, The Melody Box, The New Boston Hotel and Wristbands.co.uk,

Dazamakiz for the use of the drum kit and for donating the top prize in the raffle.

Millfield Science and Performing Arts College for the use of the Video recording equipment.

Marshal Amplification for the use of the three guitar and two bass amp rigs. Cheers Joel at Marshall and thank you to Alan at Tower Music!

We will be able to let you know how much has been raised for charity and good causes once all invoices and amounts are in. Normally two week after the festival.

A big thank you goes from the organisers to our respective wives. They put up with countless meetings, emails, telephone calls, as well as music practices. Big hugs to Jeanette, Debs, Andrea and Sarah. xxxx

Wishing you all the very best in your musical endeavours,

Simon, Phil, Peter and Darrel.

FleetwoodStock organisers 2005 – 2010

…bring on 2011

Charlie Satterly, the official FleetwoodStock photographer, took over 400 photographs over the weekend. Click on the link below and you’ll be taken to his Flickr page.

www.flickr.com/photos/charliesatterly

Please have a look and comment on the images.

Thank you Charlie for all of your hard work on the Saturday and Sunday.

Images for Friday night will be available on the website soon as will video.

The raffle was drawn on Sunday evening and three prizes were up for grabs.

Thank you to all those who bought tickets. A special thank you goes to John Robinson who’s tireless efforts to sell the most raffle tickets is really appreciated.

1st Prize = Special £400 Electo/Acoustic Guitar (provided by Dazamakiz Music Shop) Won by Jenna c/o Woody. Ticket number 3952 – There was a phone number on the ticket stub and so Jenna has been informed of her win!

2nd Prize = A white ‘Fender body’ Strat (provided by The Melody Box, Fleetwood) Won by Stacey. Ticket number 4672 -  Again, there was a phone number on the ticket stub and so Stacey has been informed of her win!

3rd Prize = An Eddie Van Halen guitar (provided by The Melody Box, Fleetwood) Won by Maggie, ticket number 4401. Maggie was in the Marine Hall when the draw happened and was presented with her guitar on stage!

Again, thank you to all who bought tickets.

Over £10,000 has been raised, since 2005, for good causes and charities. Keep tuned into this website to find out exactly how much has been raised in 2010.

What a night at the Marine Hall in Fleetwood !!!!

The night started with In the Grey, a great band from Manchester who delivered melodic indie rock to an appreciative crowd. Their 45 minute set, set the bar for the rest of the evening.

Next up were Snakewater from Derbyshire. They delivered hard rockin blues by the bucket load. This tight 3 piece band filled the stage with sound and the crowd showed their appreciation. We’ll make sure they get some Lancashire Hot Pot next time they play!

Local band Kingdom of Deadmen fronted by Tony Mitchell (ex Kiss of the Gypsy) delivered a tight, professional performance, mainly playing tracks from their new album Black Rhapsody. It was, in many people’s opinion, their finest live performance.

Next up were the ‘Rush Tribute’ stalwarts of Fleetwood. They delivered a ‘as near as you can get to Rush’ sound with a set list which captured the very essence of Rush’s massive back catalogue. John Power’s new Rickenbacker enabled the Rush sound to punch through to the highly appreciated audience.

And then came The Quireboys. They lifted the roof off the Marine Hall. Spike was on top form delivering a set that covered the previous 25 years of rock ‘n roll. ‘Top of the Pops’ classic ‘Hey You’ gave the audience a special treat along with many tracks off their 2008 album Homewreckers & Heartbreakers and their 1990 debut album A bit of what you fancy. The sound quality was out of this World and audience participation was plentiful. YeeHaaa! If you are serious about your good time rock ‘n roll, get yourself along to one (or more) of their UK gigs in December 2010.

A massive ‘thank you’ to all of the bands who played on Saturday night. It was a truly memorable night.

Friday 10th September was the Frank Aston Memorial Blues night. A big thank you goes to Dave Mann and Alan Pearson who made the night possible. With a crowd of over 200 people in the Marine Hall there was an expectant buzz about the place. The three bands on Friday’s bill were all eager to please the crowd with their mix of blues, southern blues and rock ‘n roll.

Openers, The Shaker’s Blues Band went down a storm with a marvelously soulful and guitar fueled 45 minute set. Next up was Nick Dow’s Blues Band. The clue to what they do best is in their title! Simply fantastic music by Nick and the boys paved the way for the headline act; everyone was now ready and in the mood for the night’s headliners.

Sherman Robertson’s set of nearly two hours, proved a real crowd pleaser. Sherman’s been suffering from a cold over the last few days and this didn’t stop him from putting on a fantastic show.

A full review with video and photo’s will be available after the weekend. In the meantime, I’m off now to help sort out Saturday’s bands. Doors open at 5:30pm, In the Grey, Snakewater, Kingdom of Deadmen, Counterparts and The Quireboys fill tonight’s bill. If last night was anything to go by it’s gonna rock!

Quireboys return to Fleetwoodstock music festival 10,11 & 12th Sept 2010

After a fantastic response from playing at the ports premier venue ‘The Marine Hall’ at Fleetwoodstock music festival back in 2008 the classic rock and roll band ‘The Quireboys’ are set for a triumphant return.

With a sound that harks back to the ‘70s heyday of ‘The Faces’, ‘Rolling Stones’ and ‘Mott The Hoople’ these boys have remained true to their roots ever since they first hit the boards back in 1984. Their mission statement remains the same too, namely to keep the spirit of good time, bar room, rock ‘n’ roll music alive and kicking in to the twenty first century.

The bands line-up may have changed over the years, but the two remaining original members and primary songwriters Spike and Guy ‘Griff’ Griffin still remain steadfast in their belief that the world still needs a healthy dose of good time rock ‘n’ roll music every now and again, probably now more than ever? It is impossible to go to a Quireboys show and not have a good time.

The Quireboys remain one of the best live acts on the road today. So when, on Saturday night at the Fleetwoodstock music festival you hear the words; “We are The Quireboys and this is rock ‘n’ roll,” you know you’re in for just one thing… a rockin’ good time!

The Quireboys will be supported on stage by 4 bands; Manchester’s new highly tipped Indie band ‘In The Grey’, Snakewater-a power house rock/blues combo, Kingdom Of Deadmen – melodic metal fronted by local favourite Tony Mitchell and Counterparts – the north west’s premier Rush Tribute.

On Saturday the doors open at 5.30pm. Ticket Price £10. For an evening of mixed and varied music to keep everyone entertained. And not forgetting ‘It’s all for Local Charity’.

If you cannot wait until Saturday there’s plenty of great music on the Friday night too… Friday night is the Frank Aston Memorial Blues Night headlined by Sherman Robertson and supported by The Nick Dow Blues Band and The Shakers Blues Band. Doors open at 5:30pm. Tickets on sale at £10.

On Sunday we have a fantastic line up of local bands and artists. There will be 10 bands and artists taking the stage from 1pm  and then an evening showcasing the very best local established bands. Double headline bands are The Good Machine and The Blue Pig Orchestra, supported by Lune Deep, Escape Artist, Monkberry, Indigo Sands and The Jeps.

Now in their 6th year of performing at FleetwoodStock, local favourites Monkberry have a special guest drummer, Fleetwood’s very own Tommy Couch (One Way System, The Pick Torpedoes, Emergency).

A whole day of music on Sunday for just £5 ! Get your tickets bought from www.marinehall.co.uk

See the other pages on www.fleetwoodstock.info for more information on what this 3 day festival is all about.

Are you ready for FleetwoodStock 2010?

It’s all for charity and good causes…..

- If you haven’t yet got your ticket you need to do so quickly. You can get you tickets at www.marinehall.co.uk

- There has never been so much interest in this years Fleetwoodstock Music Festival. We’ve had a constant stream of emails and calls with bands asking us if they can play at this years Festival

- We have had more press and radio coverage than ever before

- One band is having a documentary filmed using FleetwoodStock as the backdrop

- The whole weekend is being filmed in High Definition

- We have several professional photographers ‘capturing the moments’ throughout the weekend

- A full merchandise stand will be available throughout the weekend

Be at FleetwoodStock 2010 and be part of what promises to be a truly memorable and enjoyable festival.

From the Fleetwoodstock Organisers 2005 – 2010

www.fleetwoodstock.info

“Since 2005 Fleetwoodstock Music Festival has raised over £10,000 for charities, good causes and community projects.”