Ferryfest 2016
Once a year, the idyllic setting of Reedham Ferry celebrates some of the best musicians from Norfolk and Suffolk. FerryFest celebrated its sixth year this year, and once again the quality on display was nothing short of spectacular.
This isn’t a huge festival though, and with just 500 people on site it makes for an intimate, community event. What’s more, all of the proceeds go to local charities. Being a charity event it relies on volunteers to help out, and there’s no shortage of people that wish to be involved.
I went along on the Friday and the Sunday, but unfortunately missed the Saturday line up. The variety of acts on the bill was really broad, from solo artists to full on, out and out rock bands, and lots of other genres along the way.
The festival kicked off with a couple of acts from the local school, in the shape of Vaudevue and Finn Doherty. Both acts were mature beyond their years, and even when the generator broke down during Vaudevue’s set, they took it in their stride and completely unphased called the audience closer to the stage and performed acoustically.
Things got very loud very quickly, with Lowestoft’s Painted Soul taking to the stage. They were outstanding, and put on a performance that was as visual as it was audial. Their brand of straight up rock music, ranging between melodic rock and hard edged AOR, got the crowd jumping almost immediately.
Keeping up the momentum was Eva Black, a blues/rock quartet who stamped their authority on the stage from the get go. It was plainly obvious they were taking no prisoners, and blasted their way through the set, much to the delight of the crowd.
It was time to slow things down a little, and it fell to acoustic singer/songwriter Grant Ley to keep things moving, only he brought a full band with him. With his thought-provoking lyrics and monster choruses, he soon got the crowd on his side, and by the end of his set they were in the palm of his hand.
What can you say about Pirate Joe that hasn’t already been said? Not much as it happens. Joe is quite simply bonkers, with an eccentricity and a lot of energy. You can’t help but get caught up in the whirlwind, and you’ll get carried away whether you want to or not. He has to be seen to be believed.
Headlining on Friday was Addison’s Uncle, playing what was to be their last show as a seven piece. A lot of people had followed this band from early on, and it was an emotional evening for the band and fans alike. Of course they went out with a bang, but with the band going on an indefinite hiatus, it was almost certainly the last time anyone will get to see them.
If Friday night was full of energy and foot stomping, then by contrast Sunday was very much the opposite. It fell to Liberty Popey to get things underway, and again for someone at such a young age, she performs well beyond what you might expect. She’s got a big voice, and has started to write her own material. Definitely one to watch.
Soham De was supposed to be up next, but thanks to a flat tyre, he was running late. Instead, a few other acts filled in, with Ari Crane performing for the very first time on her ukulele. It was obvious she was nervous and did her best not to look at the crowd, but she performed very well, and once she conquers her nerves she’ll be a force to be reckoned with.
Jay Harrison was only too happy to step in and play a few songs, and kept the crowd entertained throughout his set, and he did exceptionally well considering he was totally unrehearsed. Liberty also played a couple more songs to fill in the time too.
Morganway were next up, and it’s great to see the band is evolving and finding their signature sound. They’re leaning a little towards country, but it’s a lot grittier, and much dirtier. The new material has a harder edge too, and is taking the band in a new direction that really suits them.
Soham arrived, and the stage manager found some time for him to perform a short set. Despite being visibly flustered, he performed with the quality that has become synonymous with his music. He’s one of the most technical musicians around, and does things with his guitar that are seldom seen anywhere else.
Lee Gordon kept things going, and I have to say I was blown away by his voice. It was my first time hearing him, and his voice is very powerful, and accompanied by nothing but an acoustic guitar, it’s a formidable weapon. His songs were captivating, and he threw a cheeky cover in too.
Falling From Trees, a group of siblings from Norwich, had the job of following on, and their distinct sound went down very well. Rebecca has had some vocal coaching, and it’s paying off too. She’s always had a good voice, but she’s gained a better understanding of how to use it, adding another dimension to the band’s overall sound. It’ll be interesting to see what happens next.
Picking up the pace were James Veira and the Latebrakers, a rock band with a laid back feel to their music, and despite the volume and quicker pace, it still fitted in well with the “lazy Sunday” feel of the day’s entertainment. It was a great addition to the day and built up nicely for the finale.
The task of bringing the festival to a close fell to Sam Coe and the Longshadows, a country rock band, complete with steel guitar. Country music isn’t a genre that took off very much in the UK, save for certain areas, but there are those that dedicate themselves to the cause. These guys are really good though, and could easily have come straight out of Nashville, such is the authenticity of their sound.
So that was it, FerryFest was over for another year, and my first experience of the festival was a good one. It’s one of the friendliest festivals I’ve attended, and it was very well organised. The staff were helpful, and the security presence was understated. They weren’t needed though, because everyone was welcomed with open arms, no matter where they were from. 2016 sold out in record time, so if you want to go next year, make sure to keep an eye out, because tickets are likely to be snapped up quickly.
