Warrington Winter Music Festival 19/11/11

The Stocks - Festival Headliners

Winter has well and truly got its icy grip on us all now in the midst of November. It’s a time when we’re ready to spend more time indoors than stand outside, so then why the hell has Warrington Borough Council decided to book another music festival in these winter times? Because they’re still damn good to watch, that’s why. Twelve bands graced the stage over an eleven hour period. But could they break the ice and draw the crowds out from the warmth of their homes?

In a word yes.

Throughout the day’s festivities are a variety of acts, from folk bands to rock n roll stars, many a great local band graced the stage and performed brilliantly in the plummeting temperatures. The afternoon line-up was good, but it’s at the night shift where Warrington’s big guns come out to play, and boy did they not disappoint.

The first band to kick off the would-be headline slots was the amazing Bill Davro. Their brand of summer pop could thaw even the coldest audience members up with their infectious material, and again for the second time this reviewer was left impressed with them. ‘Winter Is Over’ made us all feel like we were on a beach again listening with a cider in hand at a late sunset. Throw in some covers, with their set staple of ‘Video Killed The Radio Star’ and a great cover of ‘All I Want For Christmas’, (seriously Mariah, screw Bieber-foetus face, get Bill Davro to perform with you) and you had a sure-fire great set. Joyful. 4/5

Second head-liners was Exile Parade. The last time I saw this band perform they had a genuine horror show where nothing went right for them. So was they any different this time round? Well as the old footballing analogy goes, form is temporary, class is permanent. They nailed it this time round. Gone were the overly long epics, in was the rock n roll you so desperately wanted to hear. Old favourites like ‘Fire Walk With Me’ hit like a bullet, and new track ‘Hello Blue’ sounded great. And in a rare sight, front-man Lomax actually kept his shirt on (It must have really been cold). Not perfect mind, but much, much better. 3.5/5

Now the final support band was a band that has been around for a while on the Warrington music scene but has somehow evaded this reviewer’s keen ears. Well all I can say is why I didn’t check them out sooner I don’t know, because ‘Dropscience’ were a revelation. Much like Bill Davro, they just want to see you move your feet, albeit in a rave kind of way. Imagine if The Prodigy, Madness and The Wailer’s had a musical love-child, there’s how you get Dropscience. They managed to get the crowd really going after an already impressive warm-up from the previous two bands. They really know how to write a great bpm-raising tune. Not everything’s perfect, sometimes the vocals sounded a little off, but to be honest it’s hard to care when they have great sounding tunes like ‘Cocaine Nation’. Also just touching on that Prodigy influence, they ended with a killer cover of ‘Out Of Space’. Rave-tastic 5/5

Finally headlining this festival was The Stocks. The last time they were reviewed they were dogged by technical gremlins left right and centre, yet still managed to put on a great performance. Well no such nightmares this time. The sound was perfect, and so were The Stocks. Front-man Luke Scott’s voice sounded angelic at times, and they’re set was equally saint-like. No bullshit, no bravado. Just simply amazing 60′s influenced rock n’ roll, with songs like ‘Third Degree’ and ‘Lure Of The Cure’ highlighting this. They’re a band that have tunes that stick in your head. Personal favourite ‘Bring The Light’ comes to mind, as it’s hum-worthy echo-driven guitar riff takes you on a trip you don’t want to forget. And they also gave out presents during their set. What’s not to like? 5/5

Warrington has many, many flaws. From Kerry Katona to Rebekah Brooks, Warrington has failed the public miserably. But with the town’s summer, and now apparently winter music festivals, some of that lost pride is being clawed back. It shows when we want to do something, we can actually provide something great. Roll on next summer.

Mike Glover 2011 (@Like_Mike10)

Featured YouTube video – Dropscience – “Gangsters Daughter”