On The Meadow 2026 (Part 2) - Artio, Finn Forster, Arxx and Swim School.

Really there was only one act in the day that I wasn't too fond of, and that was Artio. And it was probably one of those "its not you, its me" moments. I just never have got on with heavy metal, and this was really where the band was in the spectrum. The lead singer even started by saying we may find them a bit heavier than we were expecting (given the tenor of the other bands).

To give her credit, the young lady on vocals was very good. She could have just been a screamer, but actually had a fine voice. I just don't appreciate the genre, although a lot of the crowd did. They didn't go down badly.

 

The guitarist nearest me had the thickest neck I have ever seen. Like an American footballer!

I did say in the previous entry that I didn't know any of the acts, with one exception. And that was a chap on the acoustic stage, Finn Forster. I had come across him supporting Blossoms and the Stereophonics last year at Finsbury Park and at the time wondered about the choice of him as a support. He was swallowed up by the huge stage at a big park. Here he just had the little acoustic space and it suited him much better.

I often describe my taste in music as "skinny white boys playing guitar". So the next act was pretty much the antithesis of that. Two ladies, one fat and heavily tattooed. I would not have considered seeing them in a million years. But how wrong could one be. Seriously the best act of the whole festival. The lead singer was funny, great voice and wonderful danceable anthemic songs. Just marvellous. They should be compulsory on every festival bill. This is why I have to go to festivals like this. To get someone else's good taste to stretch my own preferences. So this is down to young Leo. 

If they play again in London I will definitely go. I may not be able to persuade anyone else to do so, but I will try.

They even got along a couple of "dancing girls"

Last but definitely not least, Swim School. I quickly saw why they were headlining (and given a much longer set). Not just good, but a perfect climax to the evening.

First just an apology for the picture quality. To explain, I had abandoned my usual place at the front for the better sound quality further back. And they turned down the lighting, but still with the screen behind showing the band name, brightly. So the effect was to leave the band in shadow. Especially the very pretty blond lead vocalist.

They are a Scottish band. And if one likes indie rock you would have to love this outfit. Obviously I had never heard any of their songs before, so this was just a case of letting the music wash over. It was a superb experience. Just such a good band. The full auditorium was rocking.

After the gig I asked the blokes from Leicester if they fancied staying for another drink. And in the bar we noticed the lead singer from Swim School so we went over and had a chat. I can confirm she is as delightful to talk to as she is to see and listen to. Being a Scottish band they are unlikely to be playing my usual Camden pub circuit every week, but if they tour down in London I will be at the front of the queue.

After that the father and son had decided they needed to get back to their place, but by this time an Asian chap had joined us and he and I stayed on for another drink. This was only his third ever concert - it was my third of the week. We managed to stay so late that I missed the last tube to Finsbury Park so needed a bus back to Wood Green and then a good 15 minute walk home.

Any regrets? No none at all. Wonderful day. Loved every minute of it. I haven't even mentioned meeting various people in the crowd from other gigs I had been to.

My thanks to Leo and his mate for curating and organising the whole thing. I don't normally gush, but am gushing about this.😂

 

On the Meadow 2026 (Part 1) The Harbours, Et Al, Tough Cookie, The Rolling People

I must start by saying this music festival, in its third year, gave me one of my most memorable gig  experiences. And I have done a lot of gigs! For a number of reasons it is just the most wonderful little festival and a great tribute to the two young organisers. I loved last year's and just regret that I didn't know about its first year. I would love to be able to say I was there from the start!

So what makes this so perfect? Well the acts, obviously, even though I hadn't heard of any of them (well with one exception). But I will come onto the acts later. 

The size - small enough to meet people and chat to band members. The auditorium felt about full from mid afternoon, without us being packed in like sardines.

The acoustics and lighting were both great, which is a slight surprise given it is literally a brewery with vats all the way down one side.

And the venue - Signature Brew - it has a large bar right next to the auditorium which unlike any of the bigger festivals actually serves a nice range of beers at "normal" prices, rather than shit Carlsberg, with no alternatives because if there was an alternative you wouldn't buy it, and at extortionate prices. And long queues. 

So below is the bar. I started with a burger for lunch (To be honest, the beers are great, the food not so much...)

So, into the acts. Openers were Harbours, and a very decent little guitar band they were too. Unfortunately, being openers, they did not play to much of a crowd, although every succeeding act did play to what looked a full (if not packed) room.

Et Al were a four piece. and a slightly unlikely looking band not least because of the very obese woman on drums. And when the singer started up I thought oh no as he sounded flat, but after a few seconds it all came good. They were not at all bad.

Tough Cookie had, the middle aged lady I was standing next to told me, already been signed by a major record label. I could hear why. Lead singer just had a slightly unusual voice, and the band's songs had variety. Think an act like Muse. 

The lady I was talking to, soon revealed herself to be the drummer's mother. We had a very pleasant conversation. The band were excellent (the mother did admit she might be biased!), but the type of indie rock they purveyed just isn't fashionable at the moment, which is what might hold them back.

Below is the drummer whose mother I was speaking to. Had to move position to get some photos of him as otherwise obscured, either by the band's one female member, or his cymbals. I bumped into him later in a corridor and said I had been chatting to his mother. He said he noticed - of course it didn't really occur to me but bands do look at their audience; it's not just us gawping at them!

I also made another dash to the other side of the stage to try and get a decent photo of the lead singer. The problem from the left of the stage is there is a big skylight above the singer's head, making any photo rather grey - see above. But of course as soon as I moved into position he started just staring down at his guitar, at which point all I got was hair!

Leo, one of the two organisers, had e-mailed me previously to say that I would like the Rolling People. He was not wrong. Furthermore between the last act and this I had got chatting to a father and son from Leicester who had come along principally to see this group. Who are from Stockport.

They had a uniform - indoor sunglasses!

I think it was so hot the lead singer removed his glasses. I think they just became too sweaty and slippery on his face!

They seemed a nice bunch and my new friends from Leicester launched themselves forward at the end for a photo opportunity and some chat. Like all the acts, very friendly. Just a much nicer experience than a big festival where everything is a mile away.