Sweeney Astray's double festival weekender: story, gig dates, photies and links

Part 2 Sweeney Astray double festival weekender

As for us, Sweeney Astray - myself, Hannah Dacey (double bass), Anna Ashworth (drums) and our very own special guest (Rob Kentell of the Susie Jones Band on mandolin and acoustic guitar) we had the double gig weekend of a lifetime.

On the Friday night I went in search of Cloudspotting with no directions just a vague few phrases off people, which kind of typified its almost willful obscurity. A kind of hospitality which says I told you where my house was but didn't bother to check if you'd heard, so it's your fault if you don't come. I knew it was Stephen Park, Gisburn Forest, somewhere past ye olde wealthy village of Bolton by Bowland.

Stopping in Slaidburn, a kind of bunch of houses on a hill with some farms, I checked my mobile to find a friend who might lead me there with a text. No answer or no signal. I overheard two builders murmuring "it's life Jim...but not as we know it" followed by TV Heartbeat rural comic laughter, referring to my use of the mobile in rural emptiness.

It was just as I thought "something'll happen, I know it will" that a woman walking her dog started talking to the builders about the festival. I walked over: "Did you say festival?" I asked.

Take the next right by the only phone box for years of travel, she explained. She said it was a red phone box but that was just wishful thinking on her part but it sounded believable. I took the bumpy track and made my way into a forest car park. Once I saw the tents, the food stalls, the portaloos, the open fields, and hippy "far out" posturing stewards with crazyman beards, yellow jackets and wraparound shades, I didn't want to leave. But I had a gig in Preston the next day so I had to.

I put up my tent for later and watched the Remedy open the weekend on the lawn stage (they seem to get taller by the gig and skinnier by the way). A set made memorable by the loss of power towards the end when Hannah Spurgeon walked onto the grass to perform an all acoustic version of It Must Be Love with her mandolin. Spontaneity! Sadly I had to dash straight back down to earth and urban life for the Preston gig - not before sampling one pint of Cloud Nine Beer which was so, so easy to drink.

Sweeney on the lawn stage at Cloudspotting 2013

 The next day Sweeney Astray took to a creaking stage in Avenham Park to perform a 1 hour ten minutes set in front of a throng of sunhappy park dwellers. A long set which followed a bunch of Geordie rockers who over ran and seem to spend an age getting off the stage and out of the way.It all felt slightly surreal hanging in there with the time changes in the longest set ever, with only two long practices behind us.

 "I live in a second floor flat over there," I pointed, "so Avenham Park is like my back garden but I'm happy to share it with you." I was totally proud to be doing a gig for Preston City Council it being a Living Wage employer as well (even for people on contracts - so not like Buckingham Palace then?). And it was topped off by the fact that Karima Francis did the set after us with Matt Gallagher on a hammond organ looking but not necessarily feeling, very happy.

 To me Karima Francis is a singer who stands out above the rest. Check her out...http://www.karimafrancis.com/

her voice and delivery makes me shiver inside and it's not my favourite indie-folkie genre either...her emotions cut through...

There was the man with vicious pink-eyed dogs, the crazy dancing girl was writhing about (the same girl who rolled about on the floor at the Victorian Dad gig at the Bittersuite last Saturday) and the compulsory intimidating scrawny drunk who places a can of Special Brew on stage, talks shit to the singer and does a
scary, hard arse dance that no one dares make eye contact with. Generally though it was happy and we celebrated the end of the set with a hot dog and onions ( I made sure I had mustard and ketchup on mine).

It wasn't until after 9pm that I set off with Miss Dacey, a Marshall amp, two guitars and an expensive double bass into the night and the rain and a misty invisibility. Lucky I knew the way but unlucky for the frogs who came to gather on the roadways and enjoy the rain. We made Jonnie Common's set and I launched into Cloud Nine.

To cut a long story short (because it's after midnight now and I want some tea and bbciplayer yet) we managed another set on the lawn stage at Cloudspotting on the Sunday -our third year in a row at this festival. The sound guys appeared to be panicking at first but they got it it together. A crowd gathered and soaked up some scattered showers along with our music. We finished the set with a rocked out Cafe Rendezvous (always a luxury to sing) and got some nice feedback - so thanks to everyone who came and watched us, much appreciated.

After that Sweeney were free to have our minds blown by KC and dance to the beat of endless cans in the beer tent. Before that I witnessed another performance of the weekend. The Wave Pictures. Now there is a great indie band with good songs and an awesome guitarist (David Tattersall) who just goes off on one now and then - and you fly with him. Check them out.

Forthcoming Sweeney gigs:

Sunday August 18th, Shut the Far Cupboard at the Odd Bar, Northern Quarter, Manchester

with Sweeney Astray, Seamus McLoughlin and Salvage My Dream.

Saturday August 24th Korova Arts Cafe and Bar, St. Wilfrid Street, Preston. 

Sweeney Astray with guests to be announced.

Friday August 30th Acoustic Village, The Grand, York Street, Clitheroe

Sweeney Astray with Susie Jones Band, Katie Ritson and Lizzi Burgess

Friday September 6th New Continental, South Meadow Lane, Preston

as support for John Bramwell of Iamkloot SOLD OUT

Saturday September 7th the Green Chimney Colne

Sweeney Astray with the Susie Jones Band

The Wave Pictures are coming to Preston in September, to the New Conti, so come and join me there! http://www.newcontinental.net/whats-on/event/wave-pictures-plus-special-guests

Playing at the New Continental, South Meadow Lane, Preston, Tuesday September 24th. Tickets £7

And don't forget Cloudspotting Festival 2014

you can listen to our songs by going to this link
http://www.reverbnation.com/sweeneyastray


and here's us practicing in Chipping...