FOLK ON THE COAST FESTIVAL 2024 - Floral Pavilion theatre, New Brighton
It was fantastic to attend the Floral Pavilion theatre, New Brighton last weekend (13 to 15 Sept) to enjoy the return of 'our festival', this time organised by the theatre management. Angela and I played a small part in consulting with Tom and Pauline over the months leading up to the festival dates. We provided guidance of how we organised the Wirral Folk on the Coast Festival and later the Wirral Folk Festival.
It was a thrill to see so many of our regulars in the audience last weekend. We thoroughly enjoyed the Friday programme in the Blue Lounge, including Phil Chisnall's DADGAD guitar workshop. John Walsh (ex Cream of the Barley) accompanied by Jo Pugh on fiddle, (standing in for Martin Pope) excelled with their Irish influenced music and Split Level music (Lynne Strange & Phil Chisnall did an excellent set of original and contemporary songs. Mind the Step dancers entertained in the Plaza between Panoramic Lounge sets. The day was concluded with poet Alison Schultz's 'The Final Nails' band running a ceilidh.
Martyn Joseph excelled in the theatre on the Saturday evening. I was unable to see anyone else on that day.
On the Sunday, Jackie Oates & John Spiers were excellent in the theatre, as was Joe Topping and the crazy/manic band - The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican in the Blue Lounge. The whole programme in the Panoramic Lounge was very well put together with our 'find of the festival' being - Jack Rutter and Moss and Williams. Danny Bradley has a voice as clear as a bell with excellent guitar accompaniment. These are acts who would go down very well at our Hungry Horse Folk BIG Spot nights.
The whole event, being free, generated a wonderful festival atmosphere in this superb theatre venue. It is hoped that it will be repeated in 2025.
To all who attended, I thank you on behalf of Tom and Pauline. If you did not make it - 'You missed a blast'. If anyone wishes to provide feedback about the event then drop me an email at – folksingerjohn(at)aol.com - and I will pass it on to the organisers.