THERE were a few Dad’s nursing hangovers on Saturday morning as the que for the bacon rolls grew more and more by the time midday reached. But it was up and on location for Tenement TV bright and early with a packed day full of reviews, sessions and interviews to get through.
With the sun still beating down on the sold-out Wickerman festival, Saturday was in full swing with the North Tyneside Steelband playing some well-loved songs for the crowd to dance away to. One crowd pleaser in particular was Bruno Mars- an artist we didn’t think we would be mentioning on Tenement TV. But this was Wickerman, it wasn’t just about the creditable chart-toppers, it was about the music that touched the crowd and brought everyone together in song and dance, and the North Tyneside Steelband done exactly so in tremendous fashion.
Roddy Hart and The Lonesome Fire combine the talents of six gents to create their tremendous sound. Lead vocalist Roddy Hart really brought it to the table when they took to the Summerslide Stage, bellowing his vocals to the great depths of the crowd. Opening track Cold City Avalanche and the proceeding Not Nervous Anymore were greatly received. The band really ticked all the boxes for the Wickerman festival crowd.
Lulu James was spotted being bombarded with journalists backstage post her set, her beautiful husky, deep and endearing vocals meaning she’s the buzz act of the day. Her track The End a true highlight of the set, all shimmery beats and distant tones with Lulu’s lilting vocals laid languorously on top. The blogosphere has already called her things like ‘retro post-dubstep bashment’ and ‘melodramatic dub-pop’ but we’re going to need to come up with new genre labels and superlatives to capture everything that this smart young lady unleashed on stage today.
Dexys – formally Dexys Midnight Runners – played a great extended version of Come on Eileen during their set, the wedding party favourite has been played around family parties since its release in the 80’s. Groups of teenagers bounced away in excitement as they realised they knew the song so well. The violinist and trombonist really captivated the track and brought it to life in the sunshine. With Pete Williams dressed perfectly French in high waisted trousers, braces, stripes and a beret- the whole thing seemed a little surreal but wonderful all the same.
Prides were headlining the goNORTH Festival Tour Tent, and done so in great style. The three-piece are freshly name-changed and ready to take the Scottish music scene by the horns. Prides merge cutting hooks with memorable, honest lyrics- aspiring to create a more substantial kind of pop. The band were extremely energetic throughout their 45 minute performance, a time slot that they earlier admitted was pretty daunting, unsure they could fill it with enough songs. They needn’t have worried, Out of the Blue received a great reaction from the crowd- a song that the band have got down to a T with a great key-solo and progressive drum beat the backbone of the track. This song builds nicely, and played live the band deliver it nicely packaged up with a few drops of passionate sweat for the occasion. Tenement TV caught up with the band backstage. Stay tuned for our full interview with the band.
The Enemy took to the stage on Saturday night saying “what a fucking way to spend a Saturday.” Genuinely happy and hyped-up for the Wickerman crowd, the band who landed on the indie scene with a number one debut album in the year 2007, played a set of classic hits to the crowd’s delight. Read our full review here.
Amy McDonald looked stunning in a festival outfit Vogue would be proud of, an angelic flowing white blouse was teamed with denim hotpants and a cracking black fedora hat- but it was her music that really done the talking as she played a great set of soulful tunes. Her rendition of Jackie Wilson’s Higher and Higher brought the crowd back to the disco grove of Chic’s performance from the night before. As the crowd waved flashing glow torches in time to the music, McDonald’s set was uplifting and worthy of her headlining slot.
The Rezillos brought a few tears to the eyes of the older crowd in The Scooter tent, as they brought a noise and charisma to their performance that hasn’t been diluted since the height of their career in the early 90’s . Their hits My Baby Does Good Sculptures and Top of the Pops made the cut, but just a couple of tracks was enough for me. As I made my way to the exit, I did share a smile with a mesmerized Dad as his daughter sat on the floor with a livid expression and fingers in her ears as makeshift earplugs.
Public Service Broadcasting followed a break on the Main stage from headliner Amy McDonald and the burning of the Wickerman- it did seem though, that this was the slot that everyone wanted as their own. With darkness in full swing, the two-piece London band brought the festival to life with lights, the usual moving pictures and visuals that make this band outstandingly different and a party attitude that’s been previously unseen. The rain was pouring from the heavens, but PSB kept the energy at full dosage throughout the powerful set. Popular track Spitfire really took off making this a highlight from the two day festival.
