Bod The venue for the first 3 nights was poor as was the turnout - the 229 Club on Great Portland road. Christopher Ellis (son of the late great legend that is Alton) put on a cracking show with his brother.
Friday afternoon the Dixie Queen was a sell out and as usual the atmosphere was fantastic, everybody dressed and skanking and topped by a great set from the Pioneers.
Evening was back at the 229 where it was the turn of the ladies. Susan Cadogan was wonderful - she’s got some voice. Rhoda Dakar was up last and to be fair was just like she was with the Bodysnatchers all those years ago. Not impressed.
Saturday was spent up Portobello market with some friends, so by the time the evening bash came around we were pretty knackered. Again poor turn out, and we only lasted about an hour and a half and called it a day after the Beat who were a shadow of their former selves.
Sunday was back up the Islington Assembly rooms which is a cracking venue. The atmosphere was buzzing as soon as you walked in, and there were three cracking sets from Glenroy Oakley (formerly of Greyhound for those with long memories) who again has some voice, Dave Barker formerly of Ansell Collins fame - magnificent still, and the only artist to spend some time talking to the crowd after his set, and finally a final set from the Pioneers.
There were sound systems and dj’s too numerous to mention playing late into most nights.
It’s been a tough 4 years since the previous one due to COVID. Sean Flowerdew, the promoter and owner of Happy People records (always worth a listen) has signed off, as like he said there are just too many issues trying to put on a show. Artists dying, promoters being unfeasibly greedy (stand up Althea and Donna), Brexit putting the mockers on not only European performers coming to the uk, but also many punters for whom it just wasn’t worth the effort (big shout to the Swedish and Berlin skins who were massively missed).
Shame it’s pretty much all over, but it was great while it lasted.
