Victorious Festival is now firmly on the summer calendar and with day one taken care of elsewhere on these pages, it would have been rude not to attended the Sunday when there were still so many great names to see and all just a stone’s throw away from my own front door.
Making a welcome return to the decks was an eclectic set from DJ Prince Brandon, spinning tunes ranging from old jive records to Aztec Camera/Mick Jones classic “Good Morning Britain” and with “Stop the Rock” by electronic act Apollo 440, the prince certainly gave all those hula-hooping outside the tent something to dance to.
Things were soon taken down a pace with acoustic singer-songwriter Daniel Eagle, probably more suited to a mid-week night down the pub than the festival stage and with that in mind it was off for a pint and another homegrown act in Southerlies on the Real Ale Stage.
With the area behind the D-Day museum ordinarily being tucked away, the relocation of this year’s ale tent meant Southerlies were in prime location to capture a passing audience. The proof however was taking a look at the numbers staying to watch, the tight musicianship of the 7-piece Americana/country band going down well among the lunchtime festival drinkers.
It was off to the World Music Village next which became a recluse away from the crowds and with the soothing voice of JJ Soulx, there was a nice friendly vibe in the area with the singer definitely adding to the chilled out atmosphere.
The Liverpool indie outfit responsible for hit singles “Female of the Species” and “Me and You Versus the World” were on the main stage like it was the 90’s, Space may have a different line-up these days but that didn’t matter as those of us old enough to remember still enjoyed it regardless.
One of the new findings of the weekend back at the village were to be Kasai Masai, straight out of the Congo via London, the band embraced the nature of the stage bringing with them cheerful and upbeat tunes influenced by traditional African Rumba.
A short walk away and Frosty Shadows of Dawn then made an all too brief appearance in the Peoples Lounge, the psychedelic three piece helping to promote the saving of local café the Arts Lodge, yet another venue trying to be closed down by a council that don’t quite understand it’s importance to the community.
It was soon time for Public Service Broadcasting, following last year’s appearance on the Seaside Stage. This time around they were promoted to the Common Stage with the focus being on “The Race for Space” album, taking samples largely from the British Film Institute in reference to various space missions.
Whilst they use the subject matter to enhance some great music, the visuals courtesy of unofficial member Mr B are also fitting and well chosen, making for a fantastic live act. So whilst there’s still a novelty factor about Public Service Broadcasting with their pre-recorded thank you messages, don’t be surprised if they’re back again in 2017 and even further up the bill.
When the moody stage presence of Ian McCulloch graced the main stage, Echo and the Bunnymen proved they were more than just another blast from the past. Closing the set of course with “The Killing Moon” (made famous again in more recent years through Donnie Darko) and finally their 1980’s top ten hit single “The Cutter” Echo and the Bunnymen proved they’ve still got it.
Although surprised (yet most pleased) to see Wolfmother so far up the bill, the Australian’s latest album is called “Victorious” for a reason, something which frontman Andrew Stockdale was delighted to point out that in it was even more apt this evening when performing the title track.
Many of the riffs could easily come from Black Sabbath or Led Zeppelin, but Wolfmother are both loud and indeed proud of their 70’s influences. The 2005 self-titled debut sported “Woman” along with tonight’s closing track “Joker and thief” which despite their intimate garage rock appeal sounded immense on the large stage.
Off to the Common for one of the biggest deals of the weekend, for Victorious had managed to book the talented half of the Oasis brothers. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds attracted a huge crowd, with the recent “Chasing Yesterday” receiving rave reviews, from which the first half of his set would pull heavily.
Whilst I was never really a fan of Oasis in my youth, the tracks from Noel’s latest album show he’s not only an accomplished songwriter, but has also formed a new band capable of pulling off more complex tunes than those he wrote back in the day.
There were slightly awkward moments when Noel remembered he was famous for having the lairy Gallagher swagger, but it was fitting for the second half of the set which include a number of Oasis hits. It would have been impossible not to have played “Champagne Supernova”, “Half the World Away” and of course every buskers favorite “Wonderwall” was to follow.
Contrary to any reservations I may have had the atmosphere around the festival during Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds was pretty special too, I left the main arena for one last exploration of the Victorious site as the crowd sang along to “Don’t Look Back in Anger” and with that it was the end of another successful festival… So all that’s left to say is everyone involved with Victorious 2016, yet again you’ve done our city proud.
