ghoti_mhic_uait

This weekend for my birthday treat we went to Ramblin Man, a new rock/blues festival in Kent.

We camped, the first time the littles had, so that was exciting. But we did the option that meant we hired a tent and it was all set up.

The first morning we made it through a long but fast moving queue just in time for the first band, No Hot Ashes, an 80s hair metal band who outgrew the hair.

We then wandered over to the prog stage for the o f Touchstone, who played a very bouncy Mad World which worked better than I would have expected, andalso caught  a touch of Toseland on the main stage - pleasant hard fast aspromised.

A break for lunch and Ferris wheel followed.

Blue Öyster Cult, who were the band we most wanted to see. They are getting old and rarely venture outside of the US any more - this was their only European gig. They're back on stage tonight though, in Paso Robles California. They played an absolutely amazing set, starting with The Red and The Black

ThenBurnin For You

(This is when I consult the internet setlist) Harvester of Eyes, ME262, Bucks Boogie and so to Godzilla, which is when Andreas started headbanging <3

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They were heavy, fast, energetic and clearly having a good time. I'm so glad B got to see them, and that everyone really enjoyed them.

After BÖC, we caught a little of Pendragon, classicprog. Then Haken, who reminded B & me of Gong but heavier - I'm glad someone is  still doing that and mean to look out their work.

Next up, Dream Theater who I think were Liv's top pick? They sounded nice enough, slightly dancey metal, but A needed a break so I ended up taking him to the Ferris wheel again and wasn't really concentrating.

Lastly, back to the prog stage for Anathema (more prog and less Goth than recorded, and definitely more energeticand passionate live, I'm glad we saw them) and Camel (really tight, excellent prog as promised, all the Camel fans were right and we had a good time.

On the way to bed, we caught the last of Scorpion too but they didn't really grab me.

The next day was more of the same!

We had intended to go straight to the prog stage, but our attention was caught by Blues Pills on the main stage, Judith'sfavourite non-BÖC band.

Swedish bouncy danceable rock, and another that we intend to look up more fun.

We did make the second half of Anna Phoebe's set, and she didn't disappoint. Prog's answer to Vanessa Mae, she's a highly talented violinist who rocks hard.

Then we ran back to the main stage for Solstafir, whose songs I vaguely recognised - Icelandic stoner, exactly my sort of thing and I'm so glad we saw them.

At this point, we needed a break sowe had pancakes and went to the playpark outside the arena but behind the prog stage. From there we heard a little of  Knifeworld, who sound like they think Bjork is good but too cheerful, and The Pineapple Thief, who sounded nice enough. We also caught a little of The Temperance Movement, blues metal which was very fun, before Riverside.

Billed as Poland's answer to Porcupine Tree, they did sound like a heavier PT, and they were one of Andreas' top bands. So glad we heard them.

Sadly, I wasnt too keen on Alcest,up next, who were technically fine but lacked passion, so Andreas and I took a walk past the blues stage, where we heard the tail end of Joanne Shaw Taylor, a brilliant young guitarist from Birmingham playing hard and fast and again, one to look up.

Back for Ian Anderson, Andreas' other top pick, who was tight and heavy as well as  all the things one would expect from Jethro Tull. I took pictures but lj isn't letting me add any more!

Then there was a break for tea and the tail end of Bernie Marsden, who was mostly playing Whitesnake songs. Definitely fun and I'd be glad to hear him again, but probably just because I'm the right age? Idk.

And back for Marillion, who played a binding set, absolutely beautiful and over too soon, but they filled their 80 minute slot with music.

And again, the main stage hadn't finished as we went to bed so we got to hear the last strains of metallic jazz that Gregg Allman was playing.

All in all, a brilliant weekend, and a nice reminder that a life filled with music is happier. Thanks to all who helped celebrate my birthday in such style!