Summertime Blues Rock Festival
Beckford Village Hall, Gloucestershire
13-14th June 2025
A striking Red Kite wheeled, danced, bent into the wind, and undertook some impressive acrobatics whilst suspended – in the cloudless sky – over the Village Hall, as I arrived at the first ever Summertime Blues Rock (micro) Festival in bucolic Beckford. The gracious welcome on the door was just as striking. Although, you may ask tentatively, where is Beckford?
AJ the poet was the Master of Ceremonies in charge of salutations and concluding thank- yous. His repertoire of poems ranged from the urbane to the risible dealing with the love of his daughter to a verse all about his testicles. Let’s be honest it takes balls to put on an ambitious event like this in a new venue.
Tellingly, suspended over the stage was a black and white portrait of Jimi Hendrix looking on with a poignant expression. Unfazed by the renowned dignitary’s presence Splink played their own brand of organic soundscape music. The manifesto of “no rules music,” accompanied by a flying-V violin and a fresh-converts zeal, ensured a unique experience for all. One online observation described them as “an up-tempo Tangerine Dream,” the assembled certainly felt musically tangoed! The stoical Dogshark’s musical offering veered effortlessly between blues and rock. Songs focused on Crypto currency, a perfect night with the wife, and Blues music clichés…this is contemporary “blues rawk” for the informed. Based in Leeds, Yorkshire, they were always going to call a spade a bloody shovel.
To be even more blunt the inaugural event was well organised on the day. Hours of planning meant the chilli with boiled rice, chips, Old Speckled Hen, wine, chips, curry and rice, hobgoblin and mugs of tea were plentiful. Transitions between the bands ran as smoothly as a Buzzard rising on a thermal.
Texan Rodney Branigan’s one man show as a multi-instrumented artist – or solo ensemble – captivated many in the room. The American’s soul-tinged voice was powerful and emotive. Playing two guitars at once may be a mere parlour game, however, the final guitar flip introduced some impressive acrobatics. The no-nonsense Chris Lapage Band (playing Rory Gallagher) set out their mission statement and the homage to Rory Gallagher’s back catalogue was explored with the precision of a bird of prey scanning the hedgerows. “Souped-up Ford” was met with familiarity, applause and determined dancing. The slower track, “I Fall Apart,” showing Gallagher’s softer side, produced a studied response. The band did not “put their foot on the brakes” all night…
I am sure Jimi Hendrix’s expression changed, as the night progressed, as he hung from the ceiling.
Chrissie Hynde is no pretender and believes: “you can always tell how good a guitarist is going to be by the way they hold their guitar.” James Oliver Band’s main man knows how to hold a guitar and more importantly how to play one! Oliver also knows how to work a room. His fret work acrobatics were as impressive as his witticisms. “Tear it up,” signalled a set full of intricate chords, daft asides, bent strings, runs of notes and notable running jokes. The presence of bassist Norman Watt-Roy simply added to the spectacle of a live band worthy of their many accolades. Educational too, as I didn’t know Howlin’ Wolf was Welsh.
Ben Poole’s highly polished blues has gone down well with Blues luminaries and then even better at the Summertime Blues Rock Festival. If Jeff Beck feels the need to include the F-word in front of “amazing” you are probably delivering to your intended audience. As the headline act for this most intimate of settings – what a coup! – the evening was only going to end one way.
Moreover, I am sure Jimi Hendrix’s expression had changed and he was looking on with approval.
Just before my imposed curfew, Poole, the heavily inked Blues man offered up his energised blues and the throng wheeled out on to the floor, only too happy to dance, Poole bent his strings and happily inebriated festival goers embraced the “willing suspension of disbelief” and forgot all about the working week. On the other hand, they will not forget the Summertime Blues Rock Festival -as Beckford is now firmly on the festival map.
By: The Swilgate Scuttler