Today’s post celebrates the fun that was the Ukulele Festival of Great Britain. I dragged my family along kicking and screaming and a great time was had by all! Apologies in advance for the poor photography. I’ve included as many of the photos as possible, with a few scans interspersed in between. There’s no particular order to the pictures. If it’s uke-related then it’s probably got a mention somewhere below. I’ve stuck in as many plugs and links as possible. Sorry if I missed anyone. And sorry if I’ve got any of my facts wrong. Just shout if you want anything fixing…
The Ukulele Festival of Great Britain; Cheltenham; 1st – 3rd of June, 2012 There’ll be no festival next year apparently. No details were given. I’m as much in the dark as you. |
Packed and ready in the King Uke household! We had the only “V” at the whole festival, and come to mention it, the only smiley uke too! Surprisingly (for me at least) there was very little banjo-uke representation and no (proper) electric ukes AT ALL! If I’d been a bit further on with my build I would have taken mine along. I bet the Re-Entrants would have liked a look… |
Aisling Out Walking were one of the bands in the morning set. They were a big hit playing a number of 50s tunes. AOW came over from Ireland. I think these guys were picked after played at Ukuhooley. |
Aisling Walsh knows more than one tune about Dreams |
Chonkinfeckle traveled down from Lancashire to deliver some Northern humour. They were really let down by a terrible sound. Even with some mid-tune fettling, the engineers weren’t able to fix it. About the only thing I could make out was that one of the songs might have been called “Leccy-mon”. Did I get that right? And you thought the only good thing to come out of Wigan was casinos! |
Collaboration was a big thing at the festival. There were a number of established friends meeting up and it was obvious that a lot of new friendships were being formed. I don’t know how much practice the guys and gals were able to fit in before hitting the stage. To be fair, it didn’t really matter; It was all very much appreciated by the audience. Here you can see “internet sensation” Gus and Fin collaborating with the guitarist from the Belgian troop – Winin’ Boys |
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgdMBCpMRK0] |
The Winin’ Boys opened and closed the festival. They were a professional, laid-back outfit playing laid-back tunes. This video is one of a song they played as a request. It’s an outstanding song and they did a beautiful version on the day. |
The Hot Potato Sycopators were brilliant and became a bit of a talking point in the King Uke family over the weekend. In fact, we’re still talking about them! I’m keen to track these guys down and catch them again. They played (pretty much) everything double-time and slotted in some great comedy to break things up a bit. Mr Dennis Teeth (in the middle) is quite the talent! This picture is from the end of the night. |
The Hot Potato Syncopators started with a little harmonica action. Fantastic! |
Manitoba Hal and another collaboration. This time it was with the harmonica-playing singer from Chonkinfeckle. Beautiful! This was my bro’s favourite and I must admit I was enjoying it a lot myself. Hal’s set got off to a shaky start when it seemed like the announcer was going out of his way to highlight Hal’s large frame. It was was quite cringeworthy. Hal seemed upset, but credit to him, he got stuck in and never looked back. Well done Hal! |
Nico’o (“and friends”) broke the mold by adding a bit of funk to proceedings. I really enjoyed these guys and their Stevie Wonder medley. Nico didn’t do a bad job of his rendition of Stairway to Heaven either. I know it’s not part of the script, but I would have loved these guys to have had a singer. |
The Reentrants played their “rock set” and what a rockin’ set it was too! You know what a sucker I am for a little Motorhead. The guys didn’t disappoint. |
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kihooi6JuvI] |
Gus and Fin did a fantastic version of this song on the Saturday night. For those who like zombies… the original of this song features on the Zombieland soundtrack. The song in question is Blue Oyster Cult’s – Don’t Fear the Reaper. |
I can’t remember why someone was running across the stage… but I caught em! |
I’ve already mentioned harmonica, but there were other instruments featured too. One that I really enjoyed was the slide guitar. Here you can see the guitarist from the Winin’ Boys (I wish I knew his name) and Gerald Ross. Both played inspirational slide. What a couple of talented guys! I’m really looking forward to digging out my slide guitar now I’m back home. These guys did it right! |
Here’s a scan of the line-up from the brochure available on the day. Not all bands are listed, but you can find out a bit more from it about the artists than I’ve mentioned. |
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JImcUFg40EQ] |
Listen to that rain! Go Gus and Fin! |
Yeah, I took loads of photos. Here’s one of a fellow uker’s bag. I took it secretly and I feel quite dirty in retrospect. If it’s your bag… sorry… but I love your bag! “Be Happy and Play Ukulele” |
You know that I’m a fan of the unorthadox. Can you guess what tune she was playing? No? Me either! Ha ha! My bro was admiring this uke for quite a while. Anyone know what make it is? |
It was good of the Mayor of Cheltenham to turn up to the mass busk. I never saw him from the front. I’m assuming it was the Mayor. Either that or B. A. Baracus. Either way… good of him to attend… |
Here are the festival organisers leading the mass busk (from behind). Only one is missing. And that’s Betty on the right… or at least, one of her boys. Did I get that right? |
A shameless plug for a Piano Centre. It’s okay… They sell ukes too… |
The stands from the Saturday were recreated on the Sunday… only this time with added rain. All seemed to be doing a roaring trade. |
At the end it seemed only fitting that they got all of the artists on the stage together… And that’s exactly what happened. Can you guess what happened next? Read on… |
One more advert. My daughter bought a ‘learn to play uke’ book from these guys. Or maybe I should say… I did… |
Oh Mr Teeth! |
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDUAj5hcTvQ] |
Here’s the video of the ending… |
It’s a little bit blurry, but here you can see a panorama of the Town Hall. The venue was great. |
I didn’t attend any workshops, but there were a number being held. |
I don’t know if these guys had one of the stands? The advert was in the brochure. |
Ever one for surprises, the Queen took time out from her hectic Jubilee celebrations to attend the festival. It was good to see her there! |
Rob from Tin Guitar had a stand selling his beautiful ukes. I’m meant to be interviewing Rob for Electric Ukulele Land (my other blog) but we’ve never managed to finish the interview. I was going to introduce myself on the Saturday, but he always seemed to be closing a deal. Oh well… next time! |
Our hosts… |
My last picture and you know that uke can’t touch this! |
That’s it guys. The festival was great. I enjoyed it at the time and more so now as I’ve stuck the photos together for you. There will be no festival next year. Thank you to all the performers over the weekend. I learnt a few things, but more importantly I enjoyed myself! Cheers!
A fairly comprehensive summing-up! Thanks for the link to Aisling Out Walking! We now have a facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/AislingOutWalking
The next Ukulele Hooley will be in August, 18th and 19th, in The People’s Park, Dún Laoghaire (that’s right below Dublin, joined on in fact). See http://ukulelehooley.com/
Thanks Andrew for commenting and thanks for coming over to perform. You know… I’d love to come along to the ukulele hooley… but I don’t think I’d be able to swing two festivals in one year with my family! Ha ha. Maybe next year! Take care