Review by Gary Spiller for MPM
Now in its sixth year of operation Love Rocks Festival continues to advance in positive directions, going from strength to strength in all quarters.
Somehow, however, the festival retains its intimate, family feel, community vibrancy and chilled atmosphere whilst expanding upon the quality outputted in previous years. From a two-day event completely housed in a large marquee through to a fully-fledged three-dayer with two comfortably sized outdoor stages there has been year-on-year augmentation.
Hosted in the luxuriant surroundings of the AA Four Star St. Leonards Farm Campsite – a site run by the Love family since 1945! – this is a festival that has all the professionalism and standing of much larger festivals but minus the unwelcome long walks between arena and pitches or the daunting queues for over-priced food or drink. Personally, it’s a festival which is first in the diary every year and we’re not alone; there’s many friends and familiar faces who are year on year attendees.
This year the Thursday night warm-up has become all ‘grown up’ and is now a fully fledged ‘gig-day’. An evening that has grown from the night before the festival-proper gathering is now rightfully regarded as the opening day. There’s no question of it Love Rocks is now officially a three-day festival. A veritable jewel in the crown of grassroots rock n’ roll.
So, whilst the finishing touches are being applied to the main stage local lads Black Water Redemption, hollering out of their Solent-side badlands, get things underway on the second stage with a 37-minute salvo of kick-ass, gritty southern rock n’ roll.
Rising from the ashes of Western Sand, their previous incarnation, BWR with this set enter the festival’s record books with a hat-trick of Love Rocks appearances, including the very first LR in 2017, alongside the likes of Kris Barras, Jack J. Hutchinson and, later this evening, Elles Bailey. Once a part of the Love Rocks’ family the festival is consistently loyal.
New track ‘Devil On Your Shoulder’ is coupled with the skeletal pulverisation of ‘Welcome To The Badlands’ with frontman and guitarist Tyler Haines swiftly enquiring “Love Rocks how ya doing?” in between. The arena is filling up, basked in the warmth of the late afternoon sun, as the wings of demon and angel, alike, unfurl with the grittiness of ‘Tombstones and Deadwood’ the arenaceous opener from BWR’s debut EP of earlier this year.
There’s sumptuous twin lead between Tyler and his fellow six-stringer Jimmy Bradshaw along with shared responsibilities between the pairing. Whilst the Love Rocks’ family share hugs of greeting. “Gonna have that on my tombstone” nods Tyler in agreement of a shout of “First band is the last band” from somewhere out in the crowd.
The soaring anthem that is ‘Fly Like The Crow’ is well received with the chorus, song vehemently by the Love Rocks faithful, echoes across the surrounding heathland. Taking a step away from his mic stand Tyler encourages the crowd further to louder effect. A bar is being assembled upon high.
The thundering freight-train of ‘Going Down’ lays the foundations for the graveyard rocking of ‘All Guns Blazing’ – another new track on offer – before the opening set of Love Rocks 2023 is brought to an exultant finale with the scorching ‘Nothing To Lose’. Ever pondered upon what the resultant product of lobbing in AC/DC and ZZ Top into the melting crucible? Ponder no longer. Black Water Redemption have engaged top gear and the decision to hand them the honour of festival openers by the promotion is fully vindicated.
Plundering southwards from their ‘Scarborough Strip’ HQ This House We Built follow on. With a rather natty logo somewhat reminiscent of 80s toy the Rubik Snake this quartet are an unknown quantity to me. However, there’s much positive noise emanating from their corner including a recent appearance at Lincolnshire’s Call Of The Wild Festival which has drawn at a lot of worthy praise. Additionally, a lengthy approval from one-time Tyketto and Waysted vocalist Danny Vaughn adds even further weight to the cause.
Emerging to a storming sonic wall of sound THWB rip right into debut single ‘Fairweather Friend’. With distorted vocals it’s fine-grade fuzz n’ roll. Sadly, their polished AOR is sorely let down by a poor sound mix early doors but the quality they possess is undeniable with ‘Nobody’s Fool’ catching the ear despite these tech issues.
“It took us 73 hours to get here!” quips dynamic vocalist Scott Wardell adding, observationally, “We don’t get this sunny weather in Yorkshire.” The balladic ‘Fly Me Up To The Moon’ tug at emotive heartstrings in the way Skid Row, Bon Jovi used to do in their prime. Mercifully the vocal mix begins to improve like the clouds after the storm.
Drawing from their eponymous debut album from last year for the entirety of their 36-minute set it’s impossible to not be drawn in by their infectious hook. Rousing ‘We Are, We Are’ harks towards fellow Scarborough rockers Little Angels with its ascendant atmospherics. With a huge slice of irony Scott raises a bottle of water “The more you drink, the better we sound!” he notes with self-deprecating humour.
Latest single ‘Walk the Line’ treads a Cats In Space line, albeit somewhat heavier whilst ‘Dead Man’s Shoes’ barks and snarls atop a solid rocking basement. Guitarist Andy Jackson takes on the vocal duties for the easy West coast vibes of ‘My Old Friend’ that wraps up a set with much promise on offer. Even though the gods of the PA weren’t on their side today This House We Built have endured and won the day.
There’s one thing for sure with regards to Love Rocks and that’s the organising powers like to throw in variety and the unexpected. Championing the up and coming, the rock n’ roll underdogs if you so wish to choose a phrase. By the final notes of Deadblondestars we’ve gone from southern to alt-grunge via polished AOR!
This Yorkshire quintet, judging by a good number of festival goers wearing their merch, have gained quite a following since releasing their first EP ‘Resolution’ back in late 2015. Since then, a further EP, ‘Keepsake’, has been unleashed prior to the two albums upon which this evening’s set is centred about. In fact, all bar one of the eight numbers are winched in from this year’s widely acclaimed long player ‘Metamorphosis’.
The triple guitar onslaught from frontman Gary Walker and his six-string brothers-in-arms Tom Gratton and Oliver Thompson immediately grab the attention with the extremely detonative ‘11 Teeth’ shaking the dental fillings to the core.
With its uncompromising alloying of Rage Against The Machine in a headlong collision with the grunge of Nirvana and Pearl Jam this should be enough for any band. But not these chaps! There’s a meandering Sabbath-like groove bricked in by power shape-throwing bassist Matt Simons and all action percussive force Jamie Machon and delightfully piercing vocal despatched by Walker.
The tech issues that plagued their fellow Yorkshiremen previously have been resolved and the resultant delay in taking to the stage seems to have had no detrimental effect, mercifully, upon their collective confidence. In ‘This Tree’ the five-piece present a meaty Soundgarden despatch; though much heavier than the influence as the grunge nucleus is paired with a brooding mood that eddies in whirlpools on intensity. As the hammer of the gods tolls so the darkened crypt-like ‘Worlds Apart’ takes a firm hold.
Walker’s vocals are distinct and hold a burning flame to the late, and sorely missed, Chris Cornell in the ethereal gloom of ‘Alaska’ whilst in ‘Mexican Radio’ elements of Thom Yorke and early Radiohead are sensitively melded in. The sole song from 2020’s self-titled debut lp Walker observes that it’s “A song for those people who make noise but say nothing.” The core subject resonates on a personal level.
Pulling in a sizeable crowd the spirit masters are appeased as are the gathered with the obsidian oblivion of ‘Shine Any Light’. The rampart battering ‘Tiny Giants’ possesses a psych fringe bringing the technicality of Muse into the fray. It’s that technical, yet somehow wistfully brutal, precision that winds up a spellbinding set with the cerebral pummelling of ‘A Friend Like You.’ Having won through to this year’s Bloodstock Festival, just a few weeks ago, there’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that supersized things are tangibly within the grasp of this quintet.
The Love Rocks musical magical mystery tour continues apace dropping just along the south coast to the naval city of Portsmouth for the ascendant soulful blues rock of Brave Rival. Love Rocks is, simply put, the gift that keeps on giving! Fronted by the tempestuously sublime twin lead vocal talents of Chloe Josephine and Lindsey Bonnick this five-piece are seriously going places, tearing it the length and breadth of the UK.
Supporting Laurence Jones last year, they firmly underlined their credentials I had first encountered at Bilston Blues a few months prior. Alongside the captivating vocals is the gleaming engine of the band in the dynamism of former Albany Down members Donna Peters (drums) and Billy Dedman (bass). Sandwiched in between these cornerstones is the prodigious six-stringing of Ed ‘The Shred’ Clarke.
An astounding five nominations at the prestigious UK Blues Awards affirms adulation from the likes of Rock & Blues Muse right through to Great Music Stories via Joe Bonamassa tipping them as one of his “favourite discoveries this year.” This is a quintet that compel and captivate in equal measures. Their collective emanates a nucleus blues that is enshrined with a rocking ethos plus a seasoning of funky soul.
Lindsey nails the stunning intro of the guilt-laden tones of ‘What’s Your Name Again?’ whilst Chloe leans on the broad shoulders of Billy just prior to the track exploding, sending outwards a bewitching bayou conjuration. Dedicated to fan Colin Shotter upon his 30th Brave Rival gig the ever-incendiary ‘Run and Hide’ switches effortlessly between a bluesy Amorettes sound to the melodic best of Heart in an instant. The Wilson sisters are running in the shadows with Nicks and McVie for company.
The silky-smooth blues rock that comprises ‘Guilty Love’ and the belting blues of ‘Secrets’ further transfix. A nod is made towards the sultry Sam Brown with ‘Break Me’ as the moon begins its ascent in the darkening evening skies. With a healthy dosage of Fleetwood Mac new track ‘Fire With Fire’ is well received before the masses are taken ‘off-piste’ with pysch-fringed bluesy rendition of Zeppelin’s ‘Whole Lotta Love’.
In the blink of an eye the set has flown by and all that remains is ‘Heart Attack’ and its pounding blues constructed upon a solid foundation of rock. There’s a whole lotta shimmying with the band dedicating their set-closer to Jess. Much awaits Brave Rival, in 2023, with a short hop across the Solent to return to the Isle of Wight Festival along with appearances at Linton and Upton blues festivals, Maid In Stone and Cambridge Rock Festival. Expect mahoosive things ahead!
Going one better than her double scoop at January’s UK Americana Awards tonight’s headliner Elles Bailey swooped for a hat-trick of thoroughly deserved accolades at April’s UK Blues Awards. This is, 100% certain, a musician that does – in line with the first line of set-opener ‘The Game’ – indeed dance to the beat of her own blues.
Blurring genres with the gentlest of slight of hand Bristolian-borne Elles never serves up half measures. Far from it, it’s foot to the floor throughout playing winning hands of mesmerizing incantations and bewitching alloys.
Elles’ 2022 studio offering, her most successful to date, ‘Shining In The Half Light’ has been further celebrated, just over a year on, with the delivery of a deluxe version that has captured, live, a couple of brand-new tracks, a brace of covers and sensitive re-workings of five numbers from the original release. Naturally the spotlight that burns brightly through the darkening first evening of Love Rocks focuses herein with roughly two thirds of the set derived from these realms.
Switching across to the main stage (another first for the Love Rocks Thursday) the oh-so sweet slide of the Telecaster-loving Joe Wilkins heralds the bounce of ‘The Game’. Having recently celebrated a birthday he shares with fellow Telecaster aficionado Francis Rossi Joe is in fine form from the very off. Jonny Henderson’s Hammond keyed notes swirl in dramatic fashion. Elles, for all her talents, has a knack in surrounding herself with stunning skillsets throughout the band. As the song goes “It’s only rock n’ roll but we like it!”
Enthusing about returning to the festival – her personal Love Rocks treble – Elles observes “It’s an absolute privilege to be here tonight.” Sincerity shines through, you absolutely know she means every word. The bayou is introduced to the Dorset heath with the southern hound dog vibrancy of ‘Stones’. The delving into ‘SITHL’ continues with the plentiful old-time soulfulness and romantic essence of ‘Colours Start To Run’.
I can think of no-one more deserving to headline tonight as Elles notes “I promise we’ll be the quietest tonight and the least rockiest” furthering “But to be headlining here means the world.” As always there’s class about Elles approach and attitude, this one beautiful soul.
Paying homage to the greats of blues and soul ‘Perfect Storm’ – Elles’ favourite track off her debut ‘Wildfire’ – transports us to the cotton fields and the banks of the Tennessee River. Spines tingle and a tear wells in my eye, it doesn’t always need to be loud or rocky to endear. This bluesy countryana will do just fine in my book.
The intrepid vocal skills of Demi Marriner, along with her acoustic guitaring noted on ‘Perfect Storm’, are introduced by Elles. “She’s an incredible artist in her own right.” Elles states before adding “[She’s] releasing her debut lp in July.” Demi smiles as she provides her album’s title “Things They Didn’t Say.”
An errant setlist scuttles off under the evening breeze as Elles rallies her band with a “Let’s do it!” rolling into the consummate blues of ‘Help Somebody’. The first of a triple serving from 2019’s ‘Road I Call Home’ is followed up by the arrival, back in town, of the ‘Medicine Man’ replete with miracle cures for aching bones. “Two for a nickel, three for a dime” emotes Elles as the swampland delta blues echoes serenely across the heaths around. With arms outstretched, flared sleeves silhouetted, Elles cuts an angelic figure out stage front in complete control of the spellbound crowd. The shining soulful blues of ‘What’s The Matter With You’ lustrously glow before the Southern country of ‘Miss Me When I’m Gone’ wraps up the 2019 retrospective with the spot reverting back to ‘SITHL’ for the remainder of the main body. This gypsy heart will travel that endless road for eternity.
Both covers from the deluxe ‘SITHL’ ensure the set is ratcheted up further and further. John Martyn’s ‘Over The Hill’ gallops along rolling back home and Creedance Clearwater Revival’s ‘Long As I See The Light’ injects a dose of bayou soul into proceedings. Amongst the heartfelt reminiscing the nomadic freight-train Americana of ‘Cheats & Liars’ is dedicated to “All those politicians who said the musicians would have to retrain [during Covid lockdown]”. The sentiments elicit a very loud approving cheer.
The first single off the deluxe album ‘Hole In My Pocket’ thunders before we’re ‘Riding Out The Storm’ enwrapped in sultry, velvety blues to end the main body. Things are a long way from ending however as one and all return to the stage as the crowd roar for more. Chloe and Lindsay are invited up for the encore with an extended ‘Howlin’ Wolf’, featuring solos throughout, paying respectful tribute to the founding forebearers. The wolf howls to the waxing moon as it nears its fullness.
Just along the highway from Nutbush lies the show-stopping ‘Sunshine City’ and to bring down the curtain it’s right where we are heading. A befitting finale to a storming 90 minutes of the finest southern blues on the circuit. With further festival slots at Black Deer, Linton and Maid In Stone a busy summer beckons for Elles and her band.
Photography by Kelly Spiller for MPM
