The Gunton Festival of Food And Music
'Another music festival?', someone said to me as I explained I was off to the Gunton Arms this Saturday rather than heading down to London for Norwich City's opening game of the season at Fulham, or to watch Mr Bolt run his last 100m.
Well, I have to admit that I have never before enjoyed so much as a pint or a packet of crisps at this renowned North Norfolk gastropub/country hotel, despite having driven past its turn-off on the North Walsham to Cromer road many a time. However, friends have returned with tales of huge steaks cooked over open fires and hotel rooms bedecked with eclectic pieces of art. My budget may not stretch to either of those, but an all-day festival of food and music held within the grounds for less than the price of most gig tickets seemed too good a chance to miss, especially when headliners were Camden sibling trio Kitty Daisy & Lewis.
Although the Bittern Line runs through North Walsham, and even stops at Gunton, I did the un-environmentally friendly thing and opted to drive, even though the website warned of only limited free on-site parking. I need not have worried. Even though the event was sold out, many others took advantage of the train service backed up by a fleet of local taxis. Quite a few others had taken their chances with the weather and arrived by bicycle. Even quite a few dogs had been brought along, although the herds of red deer in the ark seem to have been moved a safe distance away. No chance of another 'Fenton... Jesus Christ!' moment occurring today.
In fact, I arrived just in time to see Lucy Grubb & The Lost Boys officially kick off the inaugural Gunton Festival of Food and Music with a solid set of easy-going alt-country numbers. I've seen Lucy play a couple of times before and love her voice. It's neither Dolly nor Taylor, but has an appeal that would seem to satisfy fans of both. The only cover in her set is that of her hero Johnny Cash's Jackson. Look out for her soon to be released EP.
Another local act, The Black Sharks, follow with their sixties-inspired set of original numbers. I've seen these guys before at The Blueberry in Norwich. With so many covers bands around it is always good to hear talented musicians championing their own material.
In between acts DJ78 spins the retro vinyl, and there are some energetic dancers dressed for the part and prepared to throw a few shapes along the way. Others have taken the opportunity to grab some food, either from the outdoor selection of sausages, burgers, tacos and pizza, or by going the whole hog and taking a table in the restaurant. At this point I definitely will not make any jokes about the venison burgers being two deer, In fact, the prices are no more than my local pub, with a pint of Woodfords Wherry being a very refreshing £3.70, and bottles of wine available for around the £20 mark. Go tell that to the bigger festivals.
4D Jones seem to have been around for years, although many will have become aware of them via their recent appearances at The Wildman in Norwich, gigs that have ended with audiences dancing down the cobbles of Bedford Street. Their set at Gunton was the first time I have had a proper chance to hear them, and they really impressed. Think 60s beat club rhythm and blues with a charismatic and suited lead singer and you have the perfect mid-afternoon festival groove going.
The Vagaband need no introduction to most of us from Norwich, although I guess that this North Norfolk festival appearance will have introduced them to more than a few new faces. There are some fresh songs thrown into the set alongside favourites like The Whistling Song and Ole Felixstowe. This was one of the best sets I have seen from them, helped by some great lighting and atmosphere inside the 500 capacity big-top marquee.
Black Kat Boppers are a four piece from Southampton who soon fill the marquee with an exuberant blend of rocking blues dance tunes. Those inside the marquee are really feeling it and respond enthusiastically, but even those sitting outside will have noticed their toes tapping along as they drained yet another glass of Chenin Blanc or nibbled on a wild boar sausage.
By seven o'clock the sun is lining itself up for a gorgeous sunset. We have been lucky with the weather - just one short shower to send us scurrying for cover, and most of that was whilst one of the music acts was on stage. Inside the marquee it is the turn of Sink Ya Teeth to perform, perhaps one of the more left field acts on today's bill. Now don't get me wrong. I love what Maria and Gemma do, but sandwiched between the Black Kat Boppers and Kitty Daisy & Lewis is not where I normally expect to see them placed. However, they more than rose to the occasion and played a blinder, helped enormously by a group of children at the front of the stage who spontaneously developed their own unique dance moves for every number, moves that were instantly picked up and copied by much of the audience. Wonderful to watch.
An so, just after 20:30, the final act of the first Gunton Festival of Food and Music took the stage. By this time the eating and drinking outside was winding down, and for the next hour and a half it felt as though everyone had managed to squeeze into the marquee for the headline performance. Anyone who has seen Kitty Daisy and Lewis before will know that the sibling trio constantly change places throughout their set – switching between drums, keyboards, lead vocals and guitar, and always ably backed by mum Ingrid on bass and dad Graeme on guitar. There is also always a 'guest' appearance from legendary Jamaican trumpeter Eddie 'TanTan' Thornton, who seems to build up his part every time I see them. This time the setlist includes quite a few songs from the forthcoming album Superscope, but there is still plenty of time to include crowd pleasers like Baby Bye Bye, Going Up The Country and Bitchin' in the Kitchen.
By ten o'clock the live music is finished, although DJ78 remains on hand to spin some tunes for another hour. It seems an early finish for a Saturday night, but this is a rural location, and we need to make sure that no-one misses the last train back to Norwich. It has been a brilliantly organised day with a wonderful line-up of music acts and a really receptive audience. The fact that the event sold out surely bodes well for future years. And who knows? The first Glastonbury was a fairly modest affair, and Gunton Park is actually much bigger than Henham.
My only comment on this year's event was the choice of a closed marquee for the only music stage. I know the vagaries of the British weather made this a practical option, but it would have been so much more inclusive for those sitting, eating and drinking outside to have been able to see, as well as hear, the acts . Otherwise, well done to Rupert Orton for curating the music, all the bands for playing, and to The Gunton Arms for being such wonderful hosts. Until next year, hopefully?
