Pop at the Lock

I can't believe that I only took one photograph! I think that might be proof of what a great festival it was: so much talking, listening and playing. There was hardly even time to eat: I collected some food then spent a good half an hour conversing with people before having time to eat it!

After a stressful drive, thanks to my car's computer telling me that I had a flat tyre, things were just revving up when I got there. Ian Button had asked me to interview him as part of his set, and on Friday afternoon I'd read through his latest book of Toni Tubna stories and prepared a question for each of the songs. I was Dr Punk, the psychologist, and I think his idea worked really well; my white doctor's coat came out again after its spell of hibernation post-Beefheart Musical.

I could hear Big Other from the merch stall; and they delivered a strong set that was really quite muscular in comparison to Ian's more delicate songs. That was a foretaste of the sheer variety to come. As with many festivals it was impossible to see/hear everything, and I was sad to have missed the artists playing on the acoustic stage, many of whom are friends.

We played at 5.30 and our McCookerybook and Rotifer set is almost exactly 40 minutes long, so we slotted in perfectly, I think. It was only at the end that I realised that I'd had no vocals in my monitor. I am so used to playing at gigs with rubbish PAs that I didn't even think to ask for it; all I could hear was the occasional wispy reflection off the marquee walls, but people said it was OK. It remains an absolute pleasure to gig with Robert; he is so energetic on stage. I am aware of being the roots of the tree, and he is the branches, alternately thrashing or waving, depending on the song. I particularly enjoyed playing Balloon, which seemed the right song for the political changes, the weather and the crowd all put together. I could see Gareth singing along at the back of the tent!

Despite the fact that we were competing with the England match, I think we had a decent crowd.

Ay Carmela were another energetic band, this time a three piece from Bristol with a truly excellent female drummer whose sticks skidded across the snare like the best marching drummers you could ever see. I had a good chat with them earlier on, about punk and other things.

Having to check in early at the pub I was staying at, I missed part of Nervous Twitch's set apart from the last two songs. They are such a strong band. I've played on the same bill twice before with them, most notably in a very odd boxing club in Hull. In an strange sort of way they remind me of a punk version of the Stray Cats, albeit with a female singer/guitarist. It's the clarity of everything: the arrangements, the songs and the sound. They do a lot of gigs and are well worth seeing if you get the chance. There is an unpretentious joy about what they do that is quite unbeatable.

Next up was Spearmint, a band I hadn't even heard of before. They have a long track record of independent releases and are not only accomplished songsmiths but they delivered a really tight, well-rehearsed set with some distinctive guitar playing, solid bass-playing from Rhodri Marsden, and original storytelling both in song and between-song anecdotes from their singer. They had stadium-band levels of confidence and musicianship but still came across as a band-next-door, which I thought was a rather magnificent feat to pull. I'm going to do some serious listening to their songs.

Last but not least were BMX Bandits, or two of them at least. I'd chatted to Duglas earlier on too, first time we've ever spoken though we have often been under the same roof. I'd really enjoyed their session on Riley and Coe's show on BBC6 Radio a few weeks ago and the duo played a few songs from that. I don't know what it is about Glasgow, but it churns out good song writers at a speed of knots, and the same can be said of guitarists. I was wildly jealous not only of the guitarist's blond wood archtop with the fabulous sound, but also of his effortlessly brilliant playing. I was agog! Add that to Duglas's charming delivery which made a friend of everyone in that tent, plus truly unique songs, and this was a perfect end to a very busy and inspiring day!

Shouts to Kevin, Linda and Gareth for organising it, to my musical pals Robert and Ian and to Judith; to The Sunbathers, whom I hope to gig with again soon; to Marion Leonard whose presence was completely unexpected but lovely; to the friendly bands; to the Sarah Records Book people, also really friendly; to the sound guy and the DJ; and to everyone else. I hope the charities made lots of money.

Sorry I am so crap with names today; I got up very early to drive back so I could avoid the traffic on the deadly M1. I hope everyone else got back safely too. 

My only photo: Spearmint being photographed by a member of the audience.