Wizard Festival 2011 – Saturday

So, Day Two of Wizard Festival when the rain happened and the temperatures could have been higher. On the downside many of the bands on today I’d seen before but its a day out and apart from some unfortunate luls when there was nothing on the main stage or the Banshee Tent it was one filled with music. I’m a fair chap, so sometimes I try not to be too critical of things I write about but this is maybe something Wizard can tighten up on, just having one more option for folk to go to, there’s only so long one can watch Zumba, however cold it is 😉

The bands, well, overall it was an enjoyable day and you know what, I think that the warmth of Samba Sene just kicked it off brilliantly with his laid back African beats and getting the growing crowd involved.

The Frues were fun and I’ll make a point of checking them out again and Bombskare got the arena skanking as scheduled. When its wet and a bitty cold you just got to make your own atmosphere and it looked like many people also thought that way.

Young local indie boys Duke were a late replacement in the line up and the experience of playing here will have done them much good. I’m a fan of Sound of Guns, a band I really enjoy live and have now photographed many times. No scaffolding climbing for singer Andy this time around though so a walk along the top of the crowd barriers was undertaken. For all the fans of the `name` indie bands these days you could do a lot worse and check these boys out. In my humble opinion of course.

Back indoors and it was the turn of Fat Hippy Records offering No1 in the form of speeded up country/folk/rock/whatever Brothers Reid and then the musical expertise of The Little Kicks. Good crowds in the tent and hopefully they’ll both have gained some new followers.

Back outside and its the turn of Adrian Edmondson and The Bad Shepherds for their folk-ed up covers set which includes many classic songs from my playlist, the highlight for me being Wreckless Eric’s Whole Wide World. Not for everyone but it works for me.

Putting smiles on folks faces and refinding their dancing shoes was the result of The Lorelei’s stint in the Banshee Stage and its no surprise as they really are on form these days. In fact I’ve only just realised how much people actually enjoyed his festival with the über popular Twang on the main stage getting folk singing along then Stanley Odd also winning some new fans with their performance in the Banshee Tent.

Another double-header of bands that I like personally with ska covers specialists Aka-SKA getting the skanking and singing along going again while Aberdeen’s export The Xcerts catered for the indie-heads and scenesters in the crowd.

A final trip to the main stage to see Cast and their adoring fans singing their heads off just rounded off a memorable day. It wasn’t perfect, the weather wasn’t the best but the music and atmosphere was good. Whats not to like?

Samba Sene & Diwan

Samba Sene and Diwan