Stockton Riverside Fringe Festival

Words: Michael Seymour

Put 2 stages down by the riverside, throw in 3 massive headline acts along with some of the finest local talent and make it a weekend out for the most dedicated music lover. Throw in some glorious rays of sunshine and you’ve got a very successful Stockton Fringe Festival ’08. 

Kicking off proceedings was White Vinyl on the loosely acoustic stage. It was the perfect sound for a sunny afternoon but their ropey acoustics and slightly wailing vocals left a lot to be desired.  

Grandmas House deserve an honorable mention. Having just finished their exams it was surprising to see a band so tight in performance and all this without a drummer due to prior engagements. Lacking stage presence but not lacking the sound, their boisterous approach and furious riffs lead to a vibrant performance on a slow afternoon. Give it time and the band name might be one you remember.  

Next on the bill was Das Wanderlust. For a band that’s had so much hype, support and radio interest it seems like they’ve actually done nothing at all. They may not take themselves seriously but their uninspiring chirpy keyboard pop left nothing to be wanted.  

Following on were The Lurios, Stockton’s finest and most loved item since the chicken parmesan was first conjured up in local takeaways. This appearance was special; call it more of a reformed Lurios taking a break from hiatus and giving the audience just exactly what they wanted to hear. The bouncy riffs that have echoed around Teesside for the past two years threw everyone into a frenzy. Ending on Where We Use to Play was a nod to their roots and it couldn’t have been more fitting. A disastrous stage dive at the finale from drummer Luke Evans resulted in a godly embracement with the fans but also an ambulance to the hospital. Now that’s the type of action that assured the Lurios went out with a bang yet again. But for now it’s a case of until next time...if there is one. 

Super Furry Animals had the misfortune of suffering from a sound failure without their knowledge. Only the crowds boos of disappointment brought on by this were the down side of what was a tight and enjoyable set.  

Saturday provided the most exciting day in regards to line up and it did not disappoint. Revelers filled up the site left right and centre while Hell on High Heels belted out their tunes. Cleary inspired by classic American rock we didn’t get a motley crue esq bunch but a group of lads who clearly fancy themselves as something. Sporting latest vintage clothing complete with dodgy hairstyles and bizarre facial hair that left many people wondering whether they were a gimmick or the real thing.  

Now in Dirty Weekend and The Chapman Family Teesside had two representatives at this years Glastonbury, surely a testament to just how fruitful the local scene is. With Dirty Weekend it was one furious journey through filthy aggressive electro inspired indie-rock that only set us up for the Chapman family who grabbed it and took it to the next level. Dirty Weekend seem like a band you don’t want to kick up a fuss so it was best to leave them to race through a blistering set. With a sound this aggro it was no surprise to get a select few trying to jump over the barriers spurred on by the bands anthemic rock. 

The Chapman family enter the fray and burst into song. Pounding drums set the tone, intense guitar tones and frantic energy as expected sees everyone jumping around the stage. Their raw power and exhilarating energy makes for exciting viewing. For a band that has now become as prolific as the next artist making waves in Teesside its puzzling to see why the Chapman Family have not yet made a bigger dent in the industry. 

Following the trend of local acts troubadours Billy the Kid & the Brothers Barbaylios wrote themselves further into Teesside folklore with their tales of love told through upbeat folk sprinkled with a western tinge. With 7 young scallywags taking to the stage its easy to think a bunch of settlers have missed their turn off but as soon as gritty melodies started bouncing out of the sound system its was clear they’re were there to entertain. Almost every onlooker on a warm Saturday evening seemed impressed and the received applause was righteous. It was clear British Sea Power had a lot to do to keep spirits high. Every A&R forces might want to take notice of Billy and his brothers, Stockton seems to love them and who knows, and maybe the rest of Britain might. 

Following on from an uninspiring set by British Sea Power The Happy Mondays took to the stage to a great reception. At one point people were clambering up lampposts. Now the Mondays are a band relevant to music history but irrelevant today, a pioneering act they were but nothing more than a joke now. A far cry from the image he once had a heavy looking Shaun Ryder trudged into the limelight and put good use to an autocue as he belted out the bands greatest hits. The drink fuelled crowd ultimately got what they wanted, a trip down memory lane, Bez shaking them maracas and the perfect start to a Saturday night. 

Sunday despite being the quietest in terms of line up still produced an audience that could have rivaled Saturday. Das Auto, Jarvis Humbry and Monty Casino all provided fitting entertainment of rock and roll and the blues. 

For all of those who were ecstatic at the somewhat nostalgic appearance of The Mondays then look no further than adding John Power. Despite no mention of any La’s or Cast songs it was a mesmerizing performance from a man who has just as much influence on modern day music as Shaun Ryder. Accompanied by plenty of hand-clapping and foot-stomping Powers raw sound fuses almost every music element together. Blues, Folk and Rock n Roll and immediately the crowd started clapping along as Powers voice carried across the audience. 

I’m sure adults saw the appeal of Paul Heaton. Given that Sunday was the chilled out day a lot of families had plodded on down. The man was in two well remembered British bands and can stake a claim in some of the catchiest songs of the 80s and 90s. The kids of the modern day though might need to do some research. His set doesn’t include any Housemartins or Beautiful South numbers which might be a disappointment to us but means a new era for him. The pace never drops and he doesn’t do enough to convince me that he’s the man to entertain at a festival. 

Stockton Fringe festival seems to keep getting better and if the Teesside acts outstanding this year is anything to go by at the minute, expect them to be headlining next year.