Another Day Festivating in MK

Jaipur Kawa Brass Band

This Indian Brass Band from Rajasthan were on as part of the free family section of the International Festival yesterday.  They are a troop of musicians, a juggler and a dancer - so not exactly the type of brass you find at the Miners Gala.

 

 

They started to wander around but as the crowd grew around them at their first stop on a grassy bank it was clear they were going to be performing in the one spot. It really worked as a performance space. The juggler was also an expert of the spinning top which was fun to watch.

If you want to catch them they're playing Festival Central at 12pm on Sunday and then are off to do a couple of performances at the World Picnic later in the day.

Alton Wahlberg

Alton, who is also known as The Bearded Busker and has an excellent You Tube channel was playing his humour filled set in The Stables acoustic tent, a beautiful Arabic influenced structure with a breathtaking interior.

He opened with The World Will Spin, a beautiful tune which gently flowed over you. This was followed by Questions which was inspired by the questions kids ask their parents. I loved this song, it was clever and funny as was Live for Today, (which was less kid friendly in places).

 

24 Years was a moving song which was really moving, describing an elderly marathon runner who had been running for charity since his wife had died.

He also did some comedy covers of Informer, Gangster Paradise and Prince of Bel Air theme tune which worked well and sounded great.

Afterwards the people I was chatting with all agreed he was absolutely excellent and we had loved this set. Another triumph in this tent which provides excellent music for free during the festival.

Seth Lakeman

Seth Lakeman was one of the festival sell out gigs and he and his band didn't disappoint. He was playing the Spiegeltent which is a beautiful structure on the outside and a bit like a village hall on the inside. Fold up wooden chairs, which are on occasion a bit wobbly surround trestle tables with thick cloths on them. This environment worked for him to a large extent, but it did restrict dancing.

I have to admit I have a certain indifference to some of Seth's music until he picks up the fiddle and something magical happens. Last night the first half of the set was dominated by the non-fiddle stuff but it was much stronger than when I'd heard him before. The reason for the improvement was the addition of Lisbee Stainton, who recently played a great solo gig The Stables. The two look and sound great together and working together seems to bring out the best in each performer, loved them as a duo.

The point the real magic started for me was when Seth played The Shores of Normandy, which for me was the highlight of the set. For anybody who didn't watch the coverage of the 70th anniversary of the D Day landings, Seth accompanied the veteran who wrote this song at the anniversary remembrance event. He was asked to carry on playing it and so has incorporated it into his set. It is an amazing song, a true lament which is spine tingling and tear jerking.....a modern Psalm.

From that point he worked up to the faster stuff, culminating the main part of the gig with Kitty Jay. I loved this faster stuff.....he and the band were excellent.