Tag: manton

MantonFest Magic, Again

With the danceable penultimate act attracting a packed crowd, I observed a young teenager, who, on spotting a disregarded beer bottle, picked it up and disposed of it properly. I’m at Mantonfest, the gem on Marlborough’s annual event calendar. I’m not surprised, having been a few times now, it has always been this pleasant and respectable; this year I reasoned whyโ€ฆ.

Kids these days, huh? Reacting appropriately, averting a potential trip hazard, I ask you?! Elsewhere, a younger girl is on her dad’s shoulders, pumping her arms in the air while the Queen tribute reenacts classics way beyond her years, and her dad bounces underneath; it’ll be one of countless priceless family memories to savour here today, just like Heidi of Barrelhouse giving out inflatable guitars, mics and more randomly, crocodiles!

For at Mantonfest’s very opening, parents are driven to joyful tears, as thirteen year-old Megan Mills from St John’s School swaps guitar for keys and confidently delivers an outstanding if short set, filled equally with talent and expression.

If, in past years I’ve pondered the wide age demographic at Mantonfest, Mills, the aspiring health and safety officer, the girl piggybacking her dad, the toddler clutching his inflatable croc, are examples as to why. It’s the festival’s fifteenth birthday, families have grown up with this, ergo, Mantonfest is an institution, they return habitually and hold it in such high esteem, even at teenage they respect this congenial ethos. It creates a matchless experience to justify me hailing Mantonfest as the friendliest festival you’re ever likely to attend.

It’s tradition which warrants the return of favoured acts, such as Madness-Bad Manners and overall Two-Tone act, Badness, back by popular demand. They blew the roof off last year, although they mimicked their show, they came up shining, and skanking again.

Similarly, the model set from Barrelhouse will never go grey. They are to Mantonfest what R2D2 is to Star Wars, appearing time over and never failing to delight with their perfectly pumped hoedown of vintage blues. To see Barrelhouse live is cake, to see them at MantonFest is the icing on that cake. Yep, there’s many repeating features at Mantonfests, but if it’s not broken โ€ฆ.

I’m standing with Chippenham’s wonderful folk singer-songwriter Meg, complimenting Mills for a likeness to her own expressive vocal range. Meg’s on next, which shouldn’t really be as the section is supposed to showcase talent from the town’s comprehensive, but as one band cancelled I was called for a suggestion and couldn’t imagine anyone more apt and deserved. At 17 now Meg has developed a name for herself, hard working her idiosyncratic style to play Chippenhamโ€™s Pride, Folk Festival and expanding to Minety and Trowbridgeโ€™s Pump. On her first of three gigs this weekend, she excitedly tells me how it went supporting Jools Holland. Such are local circuit barriers though, Meg’s not so widely known here, so even a short set is good to help her to venture eastwards, and they sure made her welcome.

Sublimely delivering three tunes of her own wares, Meg set the bar high for Rory & Tom, who followed by providing popular covers in a friendly and lively fashion. Elton-like pianist Sammy Till-Vattier polished off the youth section. Saw him last year, he’s the upcoming name to watch on the Marlborough circuit. His poignant crafted originals are emotionally poured out, he literally sweats solo talent, as his final piece verged on Serge Gainsbourg level, and in his language too; je l’ai aimรฉ!

This opening section to Mantonfest debuted last year shouldn’t be viewed as a filler or talent contest, rather a taster of what’s to come for the family event.

Just like other neighbouring towns, Marlborough youths show dedication and talent. It fills one with confidence that music is safe in Gen Z hands, but more importantly is Mantonfest’s drive to showcase them. There’s no bolt-on gazebo miles away from the event’s main brace, they’re on the same stage which Toyah once graced.

There’s a part of me, though, which wishes the hordes who came for the finale crowd-pleasing tribute acts could’ve supported the local talent at the start, but I know, cookie crumbles this way.

Tributes were the order of the evening, but nestled between the St John’s section and them, the tradition of family continues. Josie Mackenzie is no stranger here, she pulled a blinder last year guest singing with The James Oliver Band. Taking front and centre this time with swing-style rockabilly-blues her new band the Radiotones wonderfully reintroduced fifties-early sixties classics in an Etta James fashion. Particularly stand-out was Ray Charlesโ€™, Hallelujah, I Love Her So. 

Then, Olโ€™ Man Witcomb And The Bergamots; wow! In different guises, especially one called Skedaddle, Witcomb family members have regularly played the festival as they live in the village, albeit a slot so early I missed them before. Took this with a pinch of salt, then, assuming this being a village custom, I wasn’t expecting  greatness; my biggest surprise this year. 

The old man referenced in the name is Chris Witcomb, bassist, wife Jane sings, boy, does Jane sing, and three sons back them on lead acoustic and electric guitars, and drums, like a Manton Carter Family!

If this ensemble was โ€œformed for a bit of funโ€ as stated I’m truly in awe; they were as uniformed as any professional classic rock band, and handled some unusual and technically challenging covers, particularly poignant was Genesisโ€™ Land of Confusion. 

Aside from their model set they even carried onstage banter with ease, apologising for performing Making Plans for Nigel for its possible election connotations! It was a gorgeous performance they really should take on the road, sitting somewhere between The Pretenders and Fleetwood Mac.

Between acts Fruci Fit Personal Training of Marlborough and Devizes gave a loud and proud exercise class, then, The Fab Four took the stage. Working through the Beatles discography with lighthearted panache, they’re another back by popular demand, and are a thoroughly entertaining tribute. Barrelhouse followed as evening set in, enough said. Coupled with the perfect weather, it was looking to be a most memorable Mantonfest.

A further three tributes to take us to the cumulation. Firstly, Forever Elton was enjoyable if technically mediocre. Badness did it again, stealing the show with upbeat Two-Tone re-enactments in newspaper suits but idiosyncratically making tributes stand-alone. The northern working-class banter is at invaluable comical proportions, but their musical proficiency too makes it a class homage. It’s a wonder how Queen tribute The Bohemians will top it, but surprisingly, according to my love of ska, and the fact Queen tributes are two to a penny, I think they did.

Tricky to perfect but a common choice to attribute, Queen is a national pride. To do this badly would be an epic fail. I’ve always thought this, ending up surprised with the results of previous Queen tributes I’ve bore witness to, but The Bohemians were undoubtedly the best. It was a show stopping finale, a sublime imitation of probably the finest rock band ever, if not, certainly the most popular. Throughout their performance I was equally held in awe at the precision and attention to detail, and simply enjoying the moment, as those rock classics were delivered with such skill and gusto.

Yet it is not only the excellence of all the acts which makes Mantonfest Mantonfest, rather the lesser ingredients, the beautiful setting, the simplicity of the arrangement and its dedication to hold dear its self-made traditions. But most importantly, and likely the sum of all other parts, it’s this trouble-free tenant akin to a Caribbean holiday (with rum punch,) which has seen a generation grow and be proud and respectable of this wonderful annual occasion.ย 

For me, it’s equally about Mills, Sammy et al, as it is for a tribute act knocking it out of Treacle Brolly, but I feel it is too for the many here who enjoy this gem year after year. Another Mantonfest ticked off, another astounding and memorable year, it never fails to impress me. 

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Rooks; New Single From M3G

Chippenham folk singer-songwriter, M3G (because she likes a backward โ€œEโ€) has a new single out tomorrow, Friday 19th December. Put your jingly bell cheesy tunesโ€ฆ

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Mantonfest 2024

Images: Gail Foster

Whilst festivals around us come and go Mantonfest has been a constant of the Wiltshire music calendar since 2009.….

The 29th of June 2024 will once again see the Manton Water Meadow, near Marlborough transformed into a festival field providing an affordable family friendly music picnic by day and a more traditional music festival by night. Most people arrive and pick their spot between 11 am and 12 noon. The live music starts at noon and there will be something for everyone.

Unlike many music events, festival goers can bring their own food and drink or make use of the many food and drink facilities on site.  With an eclectic โ€˜marketโ€™ of local traders and of course the band merchandise tent this event has a real buzz from start to finish.  

Mantonfest 2023

The 2024 Line Up

This yearโ€™s line up is now complete. Headlining are The Bohemians a world class Queen tribute act. Badness return by popular demand (or should we say instance) after wowing everyone last year. Forever Elton and The Fab Four will get the whole field singing  across the afternoon and evening.  Local jumping blues band Barrelhouse will be getting the field moving with a blend of reworked classic and their own material and Jose and the Radio Tones plus The Bergamots will get the afternoon mood set perectly.

Mantonfest 2023

Young Talent Development Slots

Once again, this year Mantonfest is pleased to announce the continuation of its young talent development slot. Last year saw an impressive array of talent wow the audience and this year will continue the trend.

Mantonfest 2023

Chairmanโ€™s Comment

Chairman Roger Grant says โ€“ โ€œThis yearโ€™s event is one of our most ambitious and ticket sales are going very well. The event is managed by a volunteer committee who are supported by a range of villagers who help set up, steward and break down the festival. Without them we would be lost. Itโ€™s amazing that we have hosted the likes of Toyah, The Animals, The Swinging Blue Jeans, Katrina and the Waves, Dr Feelgood and many world class tribute acts across the years. As ever profits made will be donated to good causes including Cancer Research. The primary aim is to provide a great day out for those attending from near and far but we like to make donations where possible.“

Mantonfest 2023

More info and tickets, here.

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Butane Skies Not Releasing a Christmas Song!

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One Of Us; New Single From Lady Nade

Featured Image by Giulia Spadafora Ooo, a handclap uncomplicated chorus is the hook in Lady Ladeโ€™s latest offering of soulful pop. Itโ€™s timelessly cool andโ€ฆ

Large Unlicensed Music Event Alert!

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Whoโ€™s ready for walking in the winter wonderland?! Devizes sets to magically transform into a winter wonderland this Friday when The Winter Festival and Lanternโ€ฆ

Mantonfest 2023; Best One Yet!

All Images by Gail Foster

One of the fundamental elements which makes Mantonfest such an absolutely brilliant festival, aside its beautiful location and friendly atmosphere, has to be the varied age demographic. It may be the case Marlborough doesn’t do separate niche festivals for this, and for that, but I’m thinking after my third consecutive Mantonfest, Marlborough doesn’t need to when it’s all encased in this Treacle Bolly bowl of wonderfulโ€ฆ.

If I smiled to note the same bunch of groupies gathered front of stage for the standard protocol Barrelhouse hour I see annually, a smidgen more grownup each time, it was far from the only time I smiled.

Barrelhouse

For as well as Barrelhouse, who on their home turf can attract kids from nine to ninety-nine with this insatiable groovy appetite for vintage jump blues, beach balls and, this year, a homage to Tina Tuner with a Rolling on the River cover, this age demographic was truly catered for musically, this year, I think, more than ever, and I’m backing this claim with another couple of examples as to why.

Reason one being the simplest; the penultimate act is a timeless recipe for success. The fairground version of ska, via an incredibly entertaining Madness tribute from Hull, Badness. Not content with knocking out Baggy Trousers, Night Boat to Cario et al, in a fashion unpretending to mimic the appearance of Madness visually and drop in a little of their own panache, they encompassed the entire two-tone and eighties reggae scenes with equal gusto.

Badness

Badness was a chicken dinner, not only their proficiency and amusing stage banter, but of the formula; ska gets everyone up dancing. They were a blessing to a festival doing amazing without them.

Badness

This was equalled by a high-energy finale whereby tribute Rolling Stones Now not only mimic the era-spanning royalty of British blues, but recreated groundbreaking concerts. Showmanship ablaze with swagger and colourful costume changes, this was a true crowd-pleaser. Something of a history class both entertaining and precise, but more importantly coupled with Badness made a finale which catered for all. As a group of young teenagers loudly requested Baggy Trousers as an encore for Badness, I realised these classics aren’t only relished in retrospective appeal to my generation, but are timeless danacable favourites for everyone.

Mantonfest 2023
James Oliver Band

Second example why this year’s Mantonfest catered for its age demographic so astoundingly, was prior to show-stopping performances of rock n roll and blues, firstly from Welsh guitar virtuoso The James Oliver Band, Tony Briggs as a replacement upright bassist, and Jodie guest vocalling, whoโ€™s energy is unparalleled by the funny faces he pulls while strumming, sixties legends Swinging Blue Jeans, and nestled in between, the aforementioned Barrelhouse set, Mantonfest hosted an hour or so of upcoming talent from St Johnโ€™s School.

Swinging Blue Jeans

There we have it, those ageing rockers The Swinging Blue Jeans, still so cool with their classic cuts of sixties hits, still commanding the stage with gusto and a depth of experience beyond all else, against a plethora of young local students eager to advance their music, surely meets my criteria for a festival for all. 

Renee Hawkins

Five acts in this section I hope the festival will repeat, was kicked off with a nervous looking Renee Hawkins, who through her divine voice came out the other end of her songs looking deservedly chuffed and a hundred percent more confident. Followed by Elton-like pianist Sammy Till-Vattier who breathed so much expression into some self-penned marvels I nodded akiness to Bowie in subject matter, and thatโ€™s a high acclaim for anyone.

Sammy Till-Vattier

A second student at the keyboard, Beth Jones, with equally accomplished vocals blessed the festival with some beautifully spun covers, and while they found time for a second tune from wonderful Paul Simon-esque acoustic guitarist Tom Schusster, who previously had first billing at the festival, nestled between those two we had a surprisingly funky collective known as Jvno.

Beth Jones
Jvno

Jvno, pronounced Juno, were sublimely united and tight, with talented saxophonist, two vocalists on bass and drums, and some mechanically ambitious original songs; technically a tricky stunt, the funky rhythms of a contemporary Average White Band, but going on their confident showmanship and collaborative genius, given time these guys are seriously heading places.

If I hark the talented upcomers in my town, Chippenham, Melksham and from Swindon to Salisbury, everywhere young people are creating an exciting new generational scene. Sitting on the grass at Mantonfest thinking about Nick Harper giving a young George Wilding a shot at Avebury Rocks, I reaffirmed Marlborough is no exception.

Of course, the proficiency of Swinging Blue Jeans or James Oliver is going to rock my world, the archetypal brilliance of a Barrelhouse show at this festival built for them I will never tire of, and though Iโ€™m sorry to say I missed breakfast rockers @59 and Olโ€™ Man Witcomb & the Bergamots, I made up for it with the fun of two fantastic tribute acts, the icing on the cake for me personally was this St Johns section, that and some unique chicken and chips I had from a vendor called Surf n Chips, naturally!

We continue to highlight upcoming talent at Devizine, because face it, sadly the mainstream local press seems only interested in projecting an image of gen z hooliganism for clickbait.

Mantonfest 2023

Overall, Mantonfest is a little gem which grows in equal amounts of kindness and charm as it does in stature, yet it seems it hardly expands to unworkable proportions. It doesnโ€™t strive to be the next Glasto, seemingly content with its regulars. Like an exclusive club, if you know you know. Mantonfest will continue, I hope to simply be what it is. If itโ€™s not broken is the motto. 

Still, with a wonderful idea to contrast the appeal of matured rockers and embrace the younger ones who tend to not mess around here, rather, to become apprentices of the music theyโ€™re witnessing, and that is something commanding the utmost respect for Mantonfest.

Miracle at MantonFest!

Ah yeah, Paul McCartney whisked Bruce Springsteen and Dave Grohl out of his hat at Glasto, and no one can top that, no one dare try, but on the other side of the west country The Fab Four were rejuvenated on stage, and miraculously commanded the weather!

Okay, allow some exaggeration for artistic licence, but being the only sour point about MantonFest last year was spates of torrential downpour, and the forecast foreboding a repeat, note it tried its uppermost to drizzle, but on the one occasion the crowds thought, โ€œthis is it,โ€ Nottinghamโ€™s fantastic Beatles tribute, The Fab Four broke into George Harrisonโ€™s Here Comes the Sun and lo-and-behold, the sunshine returned, to a rapturous applause.

Coincidence, or should these guys try a Paul Daniels tribute next, is besides the point; there were numerous memorable happenings at MantonFest this year, the Beatles tribute controlled clement weather was just the tip of the iceberg.

For eleven years strong MantonFest has been Marlboroughโ€™s little gem, punching well above its weight. Itโ€™s both communal and friendly, but professionally executed too. If Glastonbury is a city of tents, this day festival is a village of gazebos. Picnicking families return year-after-year, and MantonFest prides itself on a loyal fanbase.

Nit-picking, the focus is entirely on the music, but kids seem unperturbed by any lack of facilities aimed at them. They naturally make their own entertainment, organise a game of football in the ample surrounding fields, more so join the already extensive age demographic and genuinely enjoy the music. Perhaps why The Fab Four were so apt, the Beatlesโ€™ early music is the eve of bubble-gum, beguilingly simple for the masses, which makes it timeless.

Talking to them backstage they delighted in the notion theyโ€™re a platform introducing Beatles music to a new generation, and in that, plus the fact they are an archetypical four-piece rock band setup without strings and effects, they blasted out the earlier, simpler 45s such as Love me Do and Hold my Hand as a baseplate. And they did it fantastically, with a nod to later Beatles creations such as Yellow Submarine and Sgt Pepperโ€™s Lonely Hearts Club Band, but perhaps most absolute to exposing their skills in ballads, such as Something the aforementioned, Here Comes the Sun, and a grand finale of Hey Jude, this was a very entertaining package.

Take a Beatles tribute as red, my mum, caught up in Beatlemania, thrust it willingly down my throat, so Iโ€™m bound to enjoy, but the real surprise of MantonFest 2022 was the second tribute, Jean Genie. As it suggests, accomplished musician and writer in his own right, John Mainwaring becomes David Bowie, more so in sound than appearance.

You can rough me up for this, but note while I fully recognise and accept Bowieโ€™s importance in the progression of pop, and understand why he is idolised, Iโ€™m a smidgen too young to have been caught up in the fanaticism surrounding him. But this guy wowed, as simple as; assessment is this is way up on my best tributes leader-board, forcing me to view Bowie in a new light. I mean, the guy toured with Bowieโ€™s own band The Spiders from Mars in the nineties, explaining to me backstage the gradual progression to this career point was, as he sounded so much like his influence, through his own original music, he was persuaded first to attribute the fictional persona Ziggy Stardust, โ€œas Bowie killed him off anyway.โ€

This performance was truer to the definition โ€œtributeโ€ than the standard tribute act, it was part John Mainwaring, being himself hugely inspired by Bowie, but it was also part Bowie, sublimely, his voice and showmanship as close as you could possibly get, and as Starman echoed out, it was a totally mesmerising performance, my highlight of the day.

Unfortunately, while professional and accomplished, I have to say, I donโ€™t think the headliners The Animals topped this. Maybe it was just me, feeling the strain of not drinking myself stupid, of which, looking back on, Iโ€™m proud, but at the time at tad niggly! Iโ€™d say the line between a real act and a tribute act are blurred, when a man like Mainwaring, with such experience and close relationship with the act heโ€™s attributing is a tribute, but a band with only one original band member is considered the genuine article. I mean, yeah, itโ€™s labelled as The Animals and Friends, but grammar comes into play somewhat. Itโ€™s not plural; The Animal and Friends. A rather plodding show, a bit meh in comparison with what went beforehand.

Between the two tributes stood the testament to MantonFest, Marlboroughโ€™s pride, Barrelhouse. With bassist Stuart Whant as artistic director, MantonFest is the Barrelhouse fan clubโ€™s annual beano, but theyโ€™ve the knack to make their show something watchable on repeat. If you ever figured the timeworn blues of Muddy Waters, Howlinโ€™ Wolf and Bo Diddley,or even when they slip into bluegrass, couldnโ€™t enthuse teenagers today, you need to bear witness to the enduring methods of Barrelhouse, with the growling mysterious frontman Martin Hands, his proficient band, and the reaction of their loyal fans at the one place theyโ€™ll guarantee to rule the stage, Manton Grange.

But if Barrelhouse are guaranteed goodness, The Fab Four were what they said on the tin, fab, and Jean Genie was a sublime homage, there was an equally talented act upon my arrival. Rocking up a bit late to catch previous performances, Southend-on-Seaโ€™s Rosalie Cunningham was all I needed as confirmation this was going to be a great day for live music. Program a hundred personas of legendary rock heroines into a computer, from Patti Smith to Suzi Quatro and Debbie Harry to Alanis Morissette, and ask it to compute something analogous, itโ€™d likely create Rosalie Cunningham. She looked the part, she sounded like the part, and in all essence, she was the part.

At first it came across prog-rock, all King Crimson type, but there were riffs to punk, nods to rock n roll, and the band explained they liked it like this, prevented it getting tedious for them. For an audience it was astutely performed, original rock, steady, flowing; the like youโ€™d think you knew already.

All-in-all, Mantonfest is a credit to Wiltshire, but as I said last year, absent are the faces of our own live music aficionados, just a stone-throw away. Marlborough is not the Upside Down from Stranger Things, Devizions, yet those rolling downs seem to divide us into little circuits.

In fact, the only connection to my hometown I made was thinking about my stomach! Yes, amico, that trusty airstream caravan, The Italian Job, usually parked upon the Green in Devizes, was pitched at MantonFest, the wonderful aromas of basil and garlic were as alluring as the seating inside, and for want of a cup of Rosey-Lee, I came bundling out with gorgeous homemade lasagne, garlic bread and rocket, and slouched in a chair below the beautiful slopes of Treacle Brolly; now thatโ€™s festivaling Marlboro’ country, something youโ€™re really missing. Iโ€™d highly recommend you etch MantonFest 2023 into your must-do-list.

Manton Fest Reveal 2022 Line-Up

Drizzle couldnโ€™t prevent MantonFest from being one of my fondest memories of last year. Thereโ€™s a real community-feel to this honourable little festival, yet it prevails professionalism aside itโ€™s cheery atmosphere. Enough for me to label it โ€œa gem in Marlboroughโ€™s event calendarโ€ last time; letโ€™s see whatโ€™s in store this year, as organisers announce dates and line-up for 2022โ€ฆ.

Set for Saturday 25th June this time, headlining are seminal rhythm & blues band, Animals & Friends, which boasts original Animals drummer John Steel, and keyboardist Mick Gallagher, who joined The Animals in 1965, replacing Alan Price, and is perhaps best known as a founding member of Ian Dury and the Blockheads.

Returning to MantonFest after a five year gap, Animals & Friends still command great respect internationally amongst their peers, as well as from fans of all ages who instinctively respond so enthusiastically to such pivotal songs from The Animals catalogue such as ‘We Gotta Get Out Of This Place’, ‘Boom Boom’, ‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’, ‘Baby, Let Me Take You Home’, ‘I Put A Spell On You’ and the bands’ multi-million selling anthem and Number One hit across the world, ‘House of The Rising Sun’.

Also appearing with an astounding rรฉsumรฉ for a tribute act, 1993โ€™s creation of John Mainwaring and John Ford, Jean Genie, has a founding in the very person itโ€™s attributing, Bowie, of course. An original recording artist in his own right, John Mainwaring has been signed by numerous record companies throughout his career, twice with Warner Bros. In the 1980s David Bowie’s world-famous producer Tony Visconti produced some of John’s songs when he was signed to WEA.

Not forgoing work with Jarvis Cocker and Tony Christie, co-writing and recording Beverley Callard’s work-out fitness DVD, John is currently signed to Bucks Music Publishers for his original material, and, more apt for the role, in the late 1990s John was approached by ‘The Spiders from Mars,’ asking if he’d front the band and tour with them. Has to be said, itโ€™s a rare thing for a tribute to have toured and performed with the original artist’s band.

Barrelhouse

Marlboroughโ€™s own and MantonFest favourites, Barrelhouse are returning. With a penchant for vintage blues, I was mightily impressed with Barrelhouse las year, very nearly dropping my hotdog, blending their original material with classic blues covers so you couldnโ€™t see the seam. Promoting a new live CD, theyโ€™re a winner every time.

Another act, another tribute. One which Iโ€™m sure will be welcomed with open arms by the MantonFest crowd, Nottingham-based Beatles tribute band, The Fab4. Formed thirty-two years ago, theyโ€™re renowned for using classic sound equipment, much the same gear as the Beatles, to get that authentic sound, and were the first band invited to play at the Paul McCartney Auditorium at the Liverpool institute of Performing Arts.

Compelling and daring, former Purson singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, from Southend, Rosalie Cunningham is also on the line-up, whose 2019 debut solo album earned a Top 10 placing in the UKโ€™s official independent chart. Along with local acts Dangerous Kitchen, a four-piece rock band, acoustic and electric band covers trio, @59, Adam Ford, Eddie Witcomb and LLoyd Crabb as Kotonic, and Mantonโ€™s very own semi-acoustic blues, jazz and soul crossover group, Skedaddle.

@59

So, yeah, this variety, mostly rock, blues and soul one-dayer shindig, comes highly recommended by yours truly. Gates open at 11am on Saturday 25th June, and advance tickets have just gone online, for ยฃ35 until 15th June, ยฃ40 afterwards. Child tickets are a fiver, under 7โ€™s go free, youth tickets are ยฃ15. This year people can book a plot for a campervan for ยฃ20, or a gazebo pitch for ยฃ10, payable on the day at the gate.

With an assortment of food and drinks stalls, picnics and bring your own booze are still welcomed, in this overall fantastically friendly festie overlooked by the beautiful surroundings of Treacle Brolly near Marlborough, itโ€™s walking distance into town; what more do you want? Well, Iโ€™d like to see Blondie tribute Dirty Harry from last year; see if I can get her phone number this time; epic fail due to cider last attempt!

There she is, see? Shouting out to me, “don’t call me, go home, you’re drunk!”

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Chatting With Burn The Midnight Oil

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Marlboroughโ€™s Festival Gem; Manton-Fest

Reading Wiltshire Liveโ€™s article this morning, in which attendees were evacuated at Swindon festival Live at Lydiard Park yesterday due to looming thunderstorms, somewhat reflected my own weekend. Music Director Stuart Whant of Mantonfest near Marlborough looked solemnly at me and said if we had thunderstorms, heโ€™d have to pull it. I tried to deflect it with flippancy, doubting it would come to that, but his expression told the story of how passionate and dedicated he is about Mantonfest.

Fortunately, despite one passing downpour, bad weather held off for the tenth anniversary of this magical and beloved little one-day festival. If Barrelhouse, the band Stuart plays bass for, performed the most excellent cover of Muddy Waterโ€™s โ€œGot my Mojo Working,โ€ wasnโ€™t the only muddy element to this event, it certainly wasnโ€™t going to upset the mood of the crowd.

Here, the port-a-loos are sectioned off according to gender, I duly noted; definitely a very Marlborough occasion! And for the locals Mantonfest has become a cherished institution. With Stuart organising, means Barrelhouse are firm fixture, as the crowdโ€™s explosion of delight when they came on revealed, if the amount of folk attired in the bandโ€™s T-shirt didnโ€™t.

I saw, and heard their reasoning, Barrelhouse seriously have their mojo working. Vintage blues with a hard edge groove their strapline, and apt. The cover of Hoochie Coochie Man sealed the deal for authenticity, but more captivating was the way they sublimely adjusted The Ace of Spades to said strapline, breathing a delta style into the metal anthem. Frontman Martin Hands is one cool dude in shades, playing no instrument he sullenly strides around the stage like a young Jim Morrison, and he has the rich, gritty voice which allures like him too.

For want of a plug, Barrelhouseโ€™s signature tune and title track of their latest album, Mainline Voodoo appears on our Juliaโ€™s House compilation album, and the instant magnetism of its riff is the central reason why Iโ€™m here; they did not disappoint, rather kick over the pedestal the tune caused me to put them on, and replaced it with a much higher, more expensive one! A Everybody Needs Somebody to Love, and Honky Tonk Woman finale sealed the deal.

This band, domestic and obviously essential to the festival, were far from the only thing to impress. Due to congestion Marlborough is currently experiencing due to roadworks, they swapped places with Richard Davies & The Dissidents, who as a band made their debut appearance at Mantonfest, with very proficient free-flowing feelgood rock n roll.

The causal, untamed beatnik frontman though has previously performed here in different bands. As a persona he very much reflects a mellowed Jagger-Petty mesh, and has the skill to support the accolade. Backed by a professional bunch, their wavey folk-blues is perfection, told in our review of their debut album, Human Traffic. Youโ€™re washed over with the sensation youโ€™ve somehow known these original songs all your life, theyโ€™d blend so wonderfully into a collection of Steve Winwood, Springsteen in all his Darkness glory, Traveling Wilburys and particularly, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, yet with a subtle hint of English punk, and amusing stage presence, theyโ€™re clearly one to watch.

No expense had been spared to make the stage centrepiece, with great acoustics whatever angle you’re situated, as the semi-circle shaped festival, overlooked by the beautiful surroundings of Treacle Brolly embraced it. Top-notch pyrotechnics breathed professionalism into the show as dusk became it, set for Dr Feelgood. A band formed in 1971 which never waned the passing of their frontman, Lee Brilleaux and various member changes, is one I confess my knowledge to not be up to much more than their name, therefore through their qualified skill at projecting some raw-edged blues with expertise ease and passion knocked me for six, particularly, a memorable guitar solo. Even if the encore felt forced when the frontman called it, Milk & Alcohol caused me to realise I knew more about Dr Feelgood than I gave credit for!

Another surprising revelation is the age demographic here, first impressions was an expected older crowd, with their umbrellas and collapsible chairs, but as I enjoyed a rather tasty Sumblers hotdog at the bar, I observed calculating an average age group was near impossible. To nit-pick being kid friendly, couldโ€™ve warranted some activities for them, but they seemed as content dancing as the teenagers and twentysomethings who rolled in to enjoy the show; some, I might add, better prepared for inclement weather than I!

But side provisions were adequate for a festival of this size, the upper-end of the food options being a pricey but worthy selection by Green Farm, based in Urchfont. The bar, provided by Ramsbury Brewery was of fair price, and the staff were extremely friendly. And this goes for as a summary of the festival, it was exceptionally localised and welcoming, the organisation of which was untroubled and willing to help with any inquiry.

Working in the morning made me fashionably late, as ever, sorry for missing local band Catfish the most, and only catching the end of The Ex-Men. First act for me to witness was impressive enough. Easy-listening folk Americana filled the bowl from a proficient Joe Martin and backing band. With a golden, rich voice soaring above his age, his originals were astutely written, one called Heartbreak Cult doubly-so, and covers of James Taylorโ€™s Fire and Rain especially wonderful.

I was tipped off to the excellence of this regular event by Devizesโ€™ local music enthusiast and photographer, Nick Padmore some time ago, and on his recommendation made a bee-line for it; it did not fail to live up to it. Yet I didnโ€™t bump into anyone I know from our area, causing me to ponder my notion of a superficially psychological wall on those downs.

Honestly, decades ago when I announced I was moving from Marlborough to Devizes it was met with a horrified reaction, as if Iโ€™d suggested moving to Tijuana, or some other murder capital of the world, and equally Devizions perceive to Marlborough to be as affluently cliquey as the Bullingdon Club of 1870, when neither stereotype is true; only a lack of a direct bus route separates them. Yet if such a barrier does exist, it means thereโ€™s another circuit of local talent worth exploring, operating literally a twenty-minute drive away. Mantonfestโ€™s dedication to local music proves this, but itโ€™s prone to bringing in some big guns to top it off, too.

The icing on this case, if the mind-blowing Dr Feelgood wasnโ€™t enough, was a welcomed Blondie tribute act as finale. Scotland-based Dirty Harry is the crรจme de la crรจme of tribute acts, genuinely and professionally mirroring the magic of Blondie in their prime. The lights shone over the returning drizzle as Mantonfest 2021 came to an enchanted end, tambourine-butt-tapping Dirt Harry, found time to banter with the crowd, young and old, bash out every known Blondie classic, some rarities and even The Ramones The Blitzkrieg Bop unto an appreciative bopping crowd.

Union City Blue, Heart of Glass, Denis and Call Me showcased the culmination of what was a wonderful return for live music in the area, and an area which should take heed, like other towns county-wide; ignore the relation to Devizes in the name Devizine, thatโ€™s just our base, we welcome news, events and stories from further afield, including you! And if Mantonfest is anything to go by, Iโ€™m taking this show on the road! meanwhile, you should bookmark Mantonfest 2022….

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Barrelhouse are Open for Business with New Album

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Klass Komedia Kurmudgeon, Bath, November 2nd 2025 โ€“ Mark Harrison

by Ian Diddamsimages by Ben Swann and Ian Diddams Self-appointed โ€œMoroseโ€ Mark Harrison was once again on totally top form at Komedia last Sunday entertaining us with his style of stunning blues music, engaging history lessons and highly amusing cynical views on society. Lest I appear to be painting Mark in a poor light youโ€ฆ

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Featured Image Credit: Jamie Carter Special guests Lightning Seeds to Support Forest Live, Forestry Englandโ€™s summer concert series presented with Cuffe & Taylor, has announced much loved and revered Scottish hitmakers Deacon Blue as the latest headliner for its 2026 shows. Deacon Blue will be joined by Lightning Seeds at the stunning Forestry England Westonbirt Arboretum on Thursday June 25rd June…….โ€ฆ

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Kirsty Clinchโ€™s Fundraising Christmas Song Racing Up iTunes Charts

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Spend August Bank Holiday at Manton-Fest!

Got your ticket for Manton-Fest yet? Well, hurry up, I need you to give me a lift!

โ€œTickets for this summerโ€™s Manton-Fest are up for grabs, a one-day festival Iโ€™ve heard only good things about;โ€ thatโ€™s what I said in a preview last January, oblivious to what was about to be thrown up in our faces. At least all my typing did not go to waste with this one preview, as Manton-Fest is back for 2021 and set to go ahead on the Saturday of the August Bank Holiday, the 21st.

Here comes a clip-show then, part-copy and paste, as some of the faithful acts booked for last year are intending to come to this one. As Iโ€™ve said before, write off 2020, pretend it didnโ€™t happen, and look forward to this summer. Nesting in the water meadow of Manton Grange, below Treacle Brolly, Manton-Fest is surely one to put in your diary.

The tickets are online only: ยฃ30 for adults, ยฃ10 for teenagers 12 to 15 years and ยฃ5 for 7 to 11 years. But hurry, as thereโ€™s a pre-crowd; tickets bought in 2020 are valid for 2021 and ticket numbers will be restricted to allow social distancing.

The headliner is Edinburghโ€™s Blondie tribute, Dirty Harry. While thereโ€™s Blondie tributes aplenty, the band say, โ€œthe essence of Dirty Harry is to put on a show Blondie would give the nod to and in true punk style.โ€ Call me, Iโ€™m convinced, and slightly hot under the collar. Iโ€™m lucky enough to have seen the real McCoy, so expect me to be critical!

The legendary hard-driving rock n roll- blues virtuosos, Dr Feelgood are also booked. A band which never left the road, from forming in 1971 to lead vocalist, Lee Brilleaux’s untimely passing in 1994, theyโ€™re still strong.

The Ex-Men are next on the hierarchy, as the name suggests, itโ€™s an amalgamation group made up of Alan Sagar ex-Big Country, Graham Pollock ex-The Hollies, Peter Barton ex-The Animals, Phil Bates ex-ELO and Geoff Hammond ex-Denny Laine; you get the idea. A stimulating sounding assembly, with a wealth of experience between them it couldnโ€™t possibly go wrong.

Vintage blues with a hard-edge groove is the ethos of Barrelhouse, a band who delivered such a mind-blowingly addictive riff on our (plug) 4Juliaโ€™s House album, and one Iโ€™m very much looking forward to. Another unticked on my must-see tick-list is the excellent Richard Davies and The Dissidents. Since glowingly reviewing their album Human Traffic, theyโ€™ve also kindly contributed a track to our Juliaโ€™s House album, an outtake from the album.

Richard Davis & The Dissidents

Lancashire singer-songwriter Joe Martin returns after being a hit in previous years. Josie & The Outlaw are โ€œMantonFest veterans,โ€ a 4-piece Americana multi-genre band, blending rock n roll and rhythm & blues into country. Marlborough based beat-combo Catfish are a returning favourite, and Skedaddle are Mantonโ€™s very own six-piece semi-acoustic band.

All of this, and perhaps more, will be compered by Marie Lennon for BBC Radio Wiltshire. This festival has a long history, with Katrina & The Waves, Toyah, The Troggs and Led Zeppelin tribute Whole Lotta Led on the billings, so they know what theyโ€™re doing; me, Iโ€™m looking forward to finally breaking my MantonFest cherry; is there time to buy a festival-jester’s hat?!

tickets and info here

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Devizes Chamber Choir Christmas Concert

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Steatopygous go Septic

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The Wurzels To Play At FullTone 2026!

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DOCAโ€™s Young Urban Digitals

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Jol Roseโ€™s Ragged Stories

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