LOWESTOFT CHARITY FESTIVAL

THIS is an annual one-dayer put on as part of the Lowestoft Festival and in aid of local hospitals. Being an outside event it very much relies on the weather being favourable. The weather all week had not looked good but about two hours before the event was due to start the wind blew the clouds away, the sun came out and it was perfect.

The nice weather attracted lots of support from locals and people from even further away. They do have a bar called the Sparrow’s Nest and a coffee shop and ice cream parlour on site; there was a hamburger stall and three of four other stalls but it is a case of bring your own picnic, and beer if you want to; put your chair wherever you can get in on the grass and simply enjoy the music.

Three were three acts and they all did two 45-minute sets. In the past they have had a back line put in but this year the acts supplied their own systems and at times these were not really loud enough for those at the back. This was particularly true of the disco for the line dancers (which played between changeovers) but on the grass area where they danced you could hear.

The show opened with John C. King (above) a solo act originally from Ireland and who got to East Anglia via some time in Scotland. He is one of the area’s most popular acts and has a fine voice. The programme is quite dated containing songs Boxcar Willie made popular but that suits the locals. He uses backing tracks and does not believe in wasting time communicating with the audience.

Campbell of Campbell’s Country (above) is a stalwart of the British country scene. For some time now he has gone out as a duo. There are two guitars, two voices and backing tracks. Like many acts nowadays he has learnt what the line dancers like and includes a lot of material to suit their needs. He has been around the scene for getting on for 50 years and with his bald head but long as the sides white hair he looks like the mad professor of British country music. They supplied to entertaining sets that kept the dancers happy.

The final act of the afternoon was C’est La Vie (above) and many people will know Jon J. Paul from other acts, including his own bands, that he has been involved with over the years. Jon plays keyboards, accordion and guitar and the other two members of the trio play guitars. They share lead vocals and harmonise with each other very well and the accordion allows them to fit a bit of Cajun and other specialist music genres in. I liked their show.

It was announced that next year this annual charity event will move to Pontin’s Pakefield in February. I know being outside is always a risk but I think moving it will take away the magic that this little event has and it risks becoming just another holiday camp show.

By MICK GREEN