Folk & Blues Festival

Following the excitement and razzmatazz of the recent Bestival, mid-September traditionally denotes the time of year when the Island gradually starts to wind-down from the staggering range of musical celebrations staged here throughout the spring and summer months. However, this year there was one final treat in store for music lovers in the form of the very first Isle of Wight Folk and Blues Festival.

Organised by the Jazz Divas/Sigma Events Management who were responsible for bringing the fifth International Jazz Festival to our shores back in March, the Folk and Blues Festival was again set against the backdrop of Ventnor's stunning coastline and offered a refreshing blend of the two popular musical genres. The flexibility of the ticketing options meant that visitors to the event could choose between an in all inclusive 'Weekend Rambler' pass and tickets on a daily or a gig-by-gig basis.

An assorted feast of entertainment that was free for all

The Folk and Blues Festival spanned the duration of the weekend of the 21st-23rd September and encompassed the whole of Salisbury Gardens to the right of the council's Coastal Visitors Centre to form the focal point for the event. A free fridge tent greeted musical enthusiasts and would-be festival-goers and also played host to the Honky Tonk Bar, Mellow Yellow Diner plus a busy programme of events including local acts and an open mic session.

Island and mainland Folk & Blues musicians with a desire to be seen, heard, or just to get involved, were encouraged to book a slot with the stage co-ordinator. This transpired as an excellent opportunity for young emerging talent to be showcased and ensured a lively entertainment scene throughout the entire weekend, including local displays of Morris Dancing and a traditional Scottish bagpiper to name but a few. The atmosphere in the free public area was exorbitantly relaxed and the perfect location to while away the hours whilst being sheltered from the increasingly whimsical weather conditions on the cliff top outside.

Adjoining this venue was the Craft Crazy Marquee and Kiddies Corner; both again, were free to enter. Here, quality craft stands and photograph stalls containing exhibits from talented Island artists were on display for people to browse at, and youngsters were able to have a go at some craft work themselves whilst their parents enjoyed the music.

A mix of established & traditional acts with the best of the new generation of performers

Passing through the Folk & Blues bar, past the ticket sales and wristband exchange point, visitors to the festival were able to enter the lower arena, which housed the main stage rambler marquee. Also present was the Moroccan Quarter with Catfish Bar run by Rosemary Vineyard, Marvilouse Oriental food marquee, Just Falafs 1950's Airsteam Food Caravan and a luxuriously clad Chill Out tent. Other fringe venues participating in the festival included the Boathouse at the Spyglass Inn, St Catherines Church, the Baptist Church on Pier Street and the Ventnor Winter Gardens, which played host to the big name evening acts, including headliners Fairport Convention.

Highlights of the opening night of Friday 21st September featured a special concert by American blues guitar man Guy Davis in the beautiful setting of St Catherine's Church, whilst back in the Folk and Blues Village festival-goers enjoyed the sounds of Alex Roberts, Millicent's Favourite, The Baddest Blues Band Ever, Funkmother, Sarah Class & band plus Ceilidh with Gig CB.

Hat trick for organisers as The Hamsters hit town

The folk/Cuban fusion band Salsa Celtica from Scotland headlined the Saturday evening which saw the art-deco Ventnor Winter Gardens being transformed to stage a unique "club night." Elsewhere Tanna, Jeanne French, James Chadwick, The Krissy Matthews Band, The Coal Porters, Swampfish, State of Undress, Last Night's Fun and many other acts helped to shape the line-up.

A further highlight was the legendary Essex R'n'B trio The Hamsters playing their renowned Hendrix tribute set in the Folk and Blues Village in celebration of what would have been Hendrix's 65th year. Dubbed "one of Britain's very best live bands" by BBC Radio presenter Bob Harris, the band have a huge fan-base. Event organisers therefore considered it a real coup to sign them up back in June for the first ever Isle of Wight Folk & Blues Festival.

Sunday 23rd September included highlights by Jim Moray, Heron, Lisa Knapp, Papa George Band, Tony McPhee and Joanna Deacon, Johnny Dickinson plus the widely anticipated finale from Fairport Convention at the Winter Gardens.

Wightlink Ferries, The Beacon, Sigma Events, Rosemary Vineyard, Sigma Pianos and Ventnor Brewery sponsored the Folk & Blues Festival. This was a very local event that drew upon the composition of its surroundings for inspiration and utilised the resources attainable within the local community to secure the foundations of what already looks like being another jewel in the crown of the Island's musical events calendar.

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