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Festivals and rain are synonymous and choosing the same weekend as Glastonbury to launch the Knowsley Hall Festival virtually guarantees flooding.
And it doesn't disappoint. Still despite the showers and the lure of watching the most well known of southern alternatives from the comfort of your own armchair there is still a great turn out at the North West's big event. There is little doubt that the locals who opt for the Knowsley extravaganza feel it is about time they had a big local event. Whilst there are some very good small festivals around the North West it's been a while since we saw something on this scale. The setting looks idyllic with the grand hall in the backdrop and surrounded by field of sheep. The line up hopes to sport something for everyone including the chance to see some up and coming local talent on the Myspace Stage. Starting off the Myspace line up on Saturday the likes of Delta Fiasco (www.myspace.com/thedeltafiasco) get the crowd dancing with their catchy synth-influenced guitar-pop. Whilst later the Loungs (www.myspace.com/theloungs) chill the atmosphere down with their fiesta style stage act and feel good tunes. Over on the main stage more local lads The Rascals bring a more traditional indie rock sound to the growing crowds. Whilst the Thrills lead singer dons sunglasses in the vague hope of inspiring the clouds to part and let the sun shine down. This happens briefly enough for many unsuspecting punters to head home Saturday with a bit of sunburn. As the beer queues get longer and more ridiculous the breakthrough boys of last year, The View, entertain those lucky enough to have already got drinks. Their set goes down a storm, with the likes of Wasted Little DJs and Same Jeans inspiring the first bouts of manic mosh pit action of the weekend and mass chanting of 'The View are on fire'. The Coral are another local band on the bill, and clearly beloved by the natives and those from farer flung reaches alike. With the ever singable Pass it On and In the Morning the perfect festival soundtracks whilst the new single Who's Gonna Find Me, a more melancholy sound, is just as well received by the raptured crowd. As the evening draws in those who have finally escaped the beer and toilet queues all flock to the stage to worship at the alter of old school rock in the form of the mighty Who. With the opening bars of their set the rain that has been so long lingering at the edges finally burst forth and drenches the crowd. And it is not a measly showering of light rain either but a colossal downpour which runs off the hood of the mainstage like a sudden waterfall. Yet despite the fact that in the space of 10 second most of the audience are soaked to their underwear the focus is still on the stage. After so long in the business Daltrey and Townsend know what their doing and have it down to a fine art. Treating us to a wide and varied set including the all time classics Who Are You, Behind Blue Eyes and My Generation they could have carried on playing until 3am and many would have stuck it out. In fact by 3am some people are still digging their cars out of the mud, but hey that's festivals for you. Sunday starts wetter than Saturday both on the ground, by now already a mud field, and in the air, with the rain coming and going most of the day. Still those who brave the damp are back and the bands once again rock the fields. Despite their early slot DbD (www.myspace.com/deathbydecibels) prove that the new bands on the Myspace Stage can draw in those looking for the next big thing. When you can get your fans down and singing along as the opening act after a torrential downpour that's hardcore. And so is their music, with the trash punk managing to be equally in your face and listenable. They are in stark contrast to the next act The Shady Bard (www.myspace.com/shadybard), who with their cellos and violins look more like a chamber orchestra than a festival act. Their mellow vibe being somewhat ruined by the oddly bass heavy sound coming from the amps. Heading over to the main stage more local heroes The Wombats are proving why they fill 1,000 capacity venues on word of mouth alone. Starting a cappella with Boys, Girls and Marsupials and ripping their way through massive tunes like Lost in the Post and Kill the Director its probably a good job it keeps spitting with rain as this band are so hot they nearly burn a hole in the stage. The Icicle Works cool the temperature with their more laid back indie charms, whilst Joss Stone loses all concentration at the sight of an inflatable doll. By the time Madness enter the arena it's actually stopped raining, unfortunately the mud is now so deep that going home caked in it is inevitable. But still once One Step Beyond booms out into the arena no one cares and the baggy trousers dancing starts in earnest. The Zutons also feel at home, being virtually there. Whacking out their unique brand of psychedelic indie with an almost scary level of intensity, they are certainly mesmerizing. With the whole weekend drawing to a close the final headliners take to the stage like they have something to prove. Keane clearly don't want to be pegged too far behind the Who in energy levels, being much their junior in years. Having a drier stage may help but you can't quite perform windmills in the same way on a piano. Still despite two thirds of the band being stuck behind their instruments they manage to achieve a wattage output that lights up the whole stage. With songs such as Everybody's Changing and This is The Last Time warming the vocal chords of the audience; those who have braved the quagmire to see the Sussex trio are in fine voice. Whilst most of their audience look like mud popsicles the boys are clearly delighted that so many have hung on till the end and put on a sizzling set to close the show. Knowsley, back next year? We hope so… |