TEN THOUSAND POUNDS!
Hopefully that got your attention, it should have, you see that’s the staggering figure raised by the amazing team behind this years Oxjam Beeston Takeover – want an idea of what that achievement was, well last year they raised just over £4,500 and the target this year was five grand, so they didn’t just smash that target – they DOUBLED it.
The reason, the fact that they put in months of solid work to present a brilliantly co-ordinated, wonderfully planned event featuring a fantastic line up of mostly Nottingham artists, then they called on the people of Beeston – and beyond – to support the festival and the response was immense.
For myself, and the family, things kicked off at 12pm down at Broadgate Park where the stage was set to kick start over 12 hours of music – of course these things never run totally smoothly, best laid plans and all that, and so it wasn’t that much of a worry that opening act, North East boys THE JAR FAMILY – who would also be appearing later on in the show – were around half an hour or so late on stage.
By the time the stylishly dressed group took to the stage a formidable audience had gathered in the park ready to witness the start of what was set to be an historic day.
I wasn’t particularly familiar with the band ahead of the day, though Matt, editor of magazine The Beestonian and one of the Oxjam team, had waxed lyrical about the band in the run up to the festival – and within minutes of their set it was clear to see why. Delivering an upbeat industrial folk sound the band were well received by young and old alike – even my six month old was kicking his feet along. All in all the perfect band to kick start the festival Chatting to one of the members after I then found out they were heading off to Oxjam Mansfield before returning for an 11pm slot at Bartons – they then had two more Oxjam events on the Sunday, including one down in Torquay.
So one band down, many, many more to go, as we left Broadgate to head towards The Crown EMMA BLADON JONES was getting set up to kick start her marathon TEN VENUE set on which she was embarking, more on that later.
The Crown had a marquee up in the back and was already filling up nicely when we arrived, the delay to the start at Broadgate meant we missed John Hardy’s set, which was a shame as I haven’t yet managed to see him live since his performance on the NottinghamLIVE Radio Show.
We were in time however to catch a set from the highly recommended 3 EYED FOX and am rather glad we did, I’ve heard quite a lot about this trio but this was my first time seeing them perform and they certainly put on a show. Performing catchy, enjoyable folk rock the band had the audience enthralled throughout with Rachel Whawell’s work on the fiddle adding to give this band a fantastically enjoyable sound.
We decided to stick around at The Crown to catch the next act the Johnny Cash inspired CRAZY HEART, as a big fan of the Man in Black I was looking forward to this set and enjoyed their take on Cash classics such as Ring of Fire while they also did a great version of the Nancy Sinatra hit These Boots are Made for Walking which was a hell of a lot more enjoyable than the terrible Jessica Simpson version a few years back.
Following a bit of a break for some lunch we decided to head back to The Crown, which by now was bursting at the seems, to catch a set from the wonderful DH LAWRENCE & THE VAUDEVILLE SKIFFLE SHOW. If you haven’t seen these guys play yet then you’re seriously missing out, we had them on the radio show a few weeks back and they were one of the most fun guests we’ve had.
As always the DH gang were in top skiffling form – washboard and all – and the crowd seemed to enjoy every moment.
Our final “family set” of the day was over at restaurant Belle & Jerome where another former NottinghamLIVE Radio Show guest – and another favourite of mine – JOSH KEMP was playing.
We got there in time to have a chat with Josh, who was also celebrating his 22nd birthday on the day (making him a decade younger than me and making me feel REALLY old) and was planning to hit town after his set (having already played Oxjam Leicester). Before Josh appeared on the radio show, back in March, I don’t think I’d ever seen him play live, since then though I have caught him as often as I can and he has always been great in his praise of the support we have given him.
Despite being stuck a bit out the way at the back of the restaurant – and having to deal with the incessant chatter going on around us – we were still able to enjoy a great set from Josh, unsurprisingly the younger of our clan particularly enjoyed his cover of I Wanna Walk Like You from the Jungle Book movie – personally I favour his own track The Hangover Song – and I understand after the rest of his night he maybe working on the sequel!
Upon leave Belle & Jerome we found the heaven’s had opened and a quick dash was made towards the bus station where four-fifths of the team headed home, the weather meant my decision on where to go next veered from my original plans as I opted instead for the nearest venue to my current location – which turned out to be the White Lion.
Sadly I wasn’t in time to see the Spoken Word event from DIY POETS, walking in, soaked, just after they finished their set upstairs at the venue, and so it was back down to the bar where MARC BLOCK was performing to a good sized crowd and doing a damn fine job of ensuring everyone had a great time. Given the weather his track Windswept Isle seemed most apt on the night.
Next up I took a stroll down the High Road, the tram works have had quite the effect on here, however for an event like tonight, with music happening at venues along the road, it was rather nice having it closed off to vehicles and made for a pleasant walk down to the Hop Pole.
The GILES RIVERS COMPANY were next up on there though due to a later act pulling out timings and set lengths had been altered around a bit so they were still setting up when I arrived, I did manage to catch the first couple of tracks by the band though and can see why several people I know have been praising them of late.
Next up I headed down to The Bar, the young and talented GENIOUS was manning the decks downstairs where a sizeable crowd had formed, however DJ sets are not really my thing and so instead I headed upstairs to catch Mansfield band URBAN RIFF who were playing something that was much more my thing – hard and heavy rock. Performing a mix of originals and great covers, including the Foo Fighters hit There Goes My Hero (which always makes me think of the movie The Other Guys best scene – youtube it if you ain’t seen it) these guys delivered a fun set that seemed to go down well to a reasonable crowd – though they deserved more.
Leaving The Bar I made my first visit of the night to Barton’s which you could argue was the focal point of the nights proceedings, and was already filling up nicely when I got there.
Having stuck to soft drinks through the day, not wanting to get drunk 1) due to the kids and 2) as I wanted to remember the event, I made the most of the bar from Magpie Brewery and grabbed myself a pint of the specially brewed Oxjam FestivAle (I see what they did there) which went down a treat.
I arrived in time to catch the end of the KINGCRAWLERS set, this young Nuneaton based indie-rock band certainly knew how to entertain the crowd giving an high tempo, energetic set.
There was a bit of a delay as next act REBECCA KING had problems getting set up, speaking to her afterwards it seems the rain, in which she’d got caught up in earlier, messed up the guitar and so they had to sacrifice that and stick with just the keyboard. If it was a hindrance it didn’t show. I have heard a lot of good things about Rebecca, and of course played her music on the show and now I can see why, a truly fantastic voice delivered a heart felt set. Rebecca was unable to appear on the radio show due to illness previously but after Saturday night I am even more determined to get her on at some point. Certainly keep an eye out for more from her.
I stuck around at Bartons for the next set by one of my favourite Nottingham acts ONEGIRLONEBOY, before the show I spoke to the duo who’d both been at work during the day and both feeling the effects of a long day, however once they stepped on that stage they were in their usual fantastic form delivering a set that almost verges on theatrical – I truly look forward to seeing what these guys do on a big stage with a full set up.
GREAT BRITISH WEATHER were due on next but not before the drama of having to locate a drum kit – thankfully one was commandeered from the Hop Pole – on the agreement that it be returned after the set – and the band, who days before had appeared on the NottinghamLIVE Radio Show, were able to take to the stage and deliver a blistering performance.
EMMA BLADON JONES had performed at NINE venues during the day yet somehow I still hadn’t managed to catch her perform so I decided to hang about at Bartons to see here final set of the day. Despite no doubt being exhausted Emma was still in fine form as she performed a short set and rightfully received a great response to her epic day’s work.
I decided to nip back across the road to the Hop Pole next where PAPER PLANE CRASH were rounding things off there. Among the bands line up is drummer Rob McCleary, formerly a writer for this very site, and it was nice to finally get to meet him on the night, as well as performing with Paper Plane Crash Rob had also had three bands he manages performing at the festival in I Am Lono, Molly & Jack and the aforementioned Great British Weather – yet he still found time to help his band give a fantastic set in the packed Hop Pole that was, by that time, operating a one in-one out policy.
Back at Bartons and the venue was HEAVING ahead of the next act, THE JAR FAMILY, back for their second set some ELEVEN HOURS after opening the whole festival. So busy had it got that the bar had sold out of beer! Not that it stopped anyone having a great time. The Jar Family showed no signs of fatigue as they took to the stage and gave a thrilling performance to the packed crowd that seemed to be still full of energy.
Which is more than can be said to me, sadly that’s where I reached the end of my energy for the day and decided to head on home, missing the final act of the day, Seven Little Sisters, who I am reliably informed closed the show in style. Still a great day was had by all and it really was incredible seeing Beeston come together like that.
It was obvious the event had been a huge success with great turn outs at every venue I visited and chatting to people during the night I was told the venues I hadn’t made it to had all been the same so a record amount of cash was expected – however when it was announced on Sunday that the event had raised TEN GRAND I was still shocked. Doubling the target is an incredible feet.
A HUGE well done has to go to the Beeston Oxjam Organising team, many of whom I met through the night, and to everyone who volunteered to help out with the festival and, of course, to every band and performer that performed during the day, most importantly though a massive well done has to go to every single person that turned up and enjoyed the day while helping to support a great cause.
Beeston we salute you. Now bring on Oxjam Beeston Takeover 2014.
Review by Darren Patterson.
