Saturday 11th February 2006 marked another day in Coventry’s history after the success of the third Covstock. The event was back after a year out in 2005 and with a different venue able to fit in 39 bands over two floors it wasn’t surprising to see the charity event raise more funding and awareness than ever before. Estimated charity funds so far are over £3,000. Covstock merchandise was available throughout the day including T-shirts and Specials badges with raffle prizes such as a mountain bike, Beatles/Kasabian memorabilia and a DAB radio. As if the music wasn’t enough! For a good cause
 | | Dave Emery (pic. Annie Chalmers) |
The event was primarily in aid of the Bethany Keenan Fund. Bethany’s mother Kay Blyth took time out to thank the bands and punters publicly for their support. The treatment that Bethany requires for a rare form of cancer is currently not available in the UK. So far the fund has raised £55,000 with initial treatment requiring £200,000 only offered in America. Also for the first time, awareness was raised for the Andrea Hope Emery Fund. Dave Emery drummer of Russian Girlfriend/father of Andrea gave an emotional performance but expressed his amazement of the amount of support the event had attracted. The band are currently about to record a video for their track ‘Born’ written in memory of Andrea. | "Anything that promotes a good cause is worth getting involved in. Cancer is a something that affects almost everyone." | | Neil - Lead singer of Windsock |
The bands certainly weren’t shy in mucking in wherever and whatever! The mass-busk at Ricoh Arena saw members of The Circle and Trailer involved. “Anything that promotes a good cause is worth getting involved in. Cancer is a something that affects almost everyone.” Neil, singer of Windsock. Acoustic Line Up Downstairs was dedicated to acoustic/singer-songwriters acts of all ages and inspirations. Justine Watson and Kristy Gallacher brought together 22 acts from 1pm. Highlights included Sumladfromcov now a London lad returning to The Golden Cross with his acoustic soul-folk His debut album The Painters Ball is in association with his own record label CovBoy. What About Cube recently nominated for a Birmingham Music Award, brought their eclectic sound in the late evening – gentle cello rock.
 | | Sumladfromcov (pic. Annie Chalmers) |
Headliners and bluegrass two-piece Don’t Move based in Leamington drew in the crowds for the closing moment of the event. Upstairs Highlights It was hot, sweaty and highly varied upstairs – from full on metal, foot tapping punk to indie sing-along numbers, Covstock3 gave birth to one of the most exciting day in Coventry’s music history. In their own words, "passionate melodic metallers" From The Ashes certainly got the pace moving in the late afternoon. Gentle giant Jack, lead singer made the stage his own by rolling at the feet of the crowd. “We could see the audience weren’t really getting in to it (the event) quite yet so we just gave it our all…in support of a good cause.” Jack, singer From The Ashes. Much awaited Hobo Exile Hotel drew in the crowd towards 5pm. The Nuneaton-based act challenged the typical rock set up with the use of samples bringing an UNKLE and Radiohead feel to the set.
 | | From the Ashes at Covstock |
Doctor Robert presented us with catchy new live track Dirty Stopout. No strangers to The Golden Cross, The Circle put their Coral/Beatles influences to good use playing at Covstock for the third time. Trailer debuting at Covstock was warmly appreciated. Described as a rock band inspired by dance music, it’s certainly difficult to ignore their perceptions on The Chaos Theory. Acre Skye young chick fronted rock – youngest band on the scene playing at the Colosseum at just 13-15 yrs old. Set highlight included mind scoring Falling Apart. Russian Girlfriend followed. They were the oldest band on the line up but don’t let that fool you as frankly these guys gave the most energetic performance of the event - by far the biggest surprise act of the night.
 | | Acre Skye (pic. Annie Chalmers) |
Heavy rockers Dead Crooners certainly brought something original to their performance with matching t-shirts (Got milquetoast?) and stage costumes including an Indian headdress and a crown along with the ironically titled Doctor Everything Is Going to Be Alright. Four-piece Spotlight Kid from Coventry arrived taking the blues and twisting it with gravelly metal vocals. It always seems to help when you have a drummer that looks like Animal from The Muppets or maybe Justin from The Darkness! Headliners Resound fired the crowd up with their catchy numbers. Now touring nationally. On reflection… Without the mud, rain and warm beer – it wasn’t a true mini festival but at this time of year I wouldn’t have fancied standing in the Memorial Park in my wellies for 12 hours! Covstock is a celebration for the talent available in Warwickshire proving it’s not all about the Specials and Two Tone. The scope of music existing as solo artists and bands shows we’re not the car-making concrete jungle the rest of England think we are. On a more serious note the gratitude shown by the bands in their dedication and contributions in promoting a good cause is a credit to all us Cov kids. Let's hope next year is in an even bigger venue so awareness, punters and funding can double yet again! Congratulations to John Oliver and all event organisers for providing a day of frantic fun on an otherwise gloomy Saturday and providing the opportunity for us to get involved in helping a good cause through the power of music. Modern day rock 'n' roll is officially alive and kicking in Coventry… --- Jonny Random/ John Oliver would like to give special thanks to Annie Chalmers, Mick McLaughlin, Justine Ralls, Covscene.co.uk, Jackson Office Supplies, Coventry Evening Telegraph, Mike (Pick n Styx), Kristy Gallacher, Ashley Hannis, Phil Huxley and all musicians involved. If you still want to donate to Covstock, visit jonnyrandom.com | 
