Bromyard Music Festival - Report on Falcon Concert

The first Bromyard Music Festival was a great success, especially the opening night.

It kicked off on Friday night with a folk concert at the Falcon Mews, the new banqueting hall at the back of the Falcon Hotel. It really is a magnificent venue for any kind of event from a banquet to a concert.

The night started with me, Tony Burt, and I soon handed over to Foxtail Soup (Bob, Rebecca and John) who were followed in turn by the Cajun music of Les 'Ot Potatoes (Kay, Ed, Norrie and Jacques) and then AngelCynn (Rex and Patrick). A moderate but appreciative audience started to grow as the night continued and by the time Dave Haigh's turn came it was nicely full.

I was lucky enough to be joined by a number of highly talented young Bromyard musicians for my second spot. David Whittaker joined me on lead for one number and then Remy Harris and Sam Hughes backed me with some blistering Gypsy Jazz guitar on my last rendition.

Then these youngsters were joined by Mark, the first jazz bodhran player I have come across, for what indisputably the highlight of the evening. They treated us to half an hour of Gypsy Jazz and a bit of blues of an incredibly high standard. Foxtail Soup and then AngelCynn had the unenviable task of following them but as you would expect left the evening on a real high.

I think everyone was amazed by the standard of the music on offer and the relaxed atmosphere among the musicians and between performers and audience. Personally I had never experienced such a large group of performers working together without a trace of ego getting in the way.

I'd like to thank the performers for providing the music, the audience for (apparently) enjoying it, John and Sylvia for the venue but especially to John Taylor who provided and managed the PA and made sure we all sounded our best. No easy task with the number of changes he handled.

Comments

[John Taylor]

I'd just like to say that it was a really excellent evening, and that despite all the effort of performing and doing the PA, the 'feel-good-factor' was immense. Everyone just 'buzzed' all evening. Bring on the next event!! JT