Interviews and Reviews

Thursday - Kicking-off with the Levellers

Kicking-off for the first time on a Thursday, an exceptional line-up which included such superb artists as Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick, Seth Lakeman and The Levellers ensured a maximum turnout, even if as I stood in the 200 strong queue to get in I gleaned that most people still had to go to work the following day. But it felt like Friday!

Martin Carthy’s excellent musicianship was a treat, as was Dave Swarbrick's fine fiddle playing. Seth Lakeman had everyone up on their feet and smiling from ear to ear, as songs such as 'The Mermaid' and others had the crowd awed and inspired to dance grass into mud. An excellent sound!

Friday - Music and Mud Baths

Friday saw some people unprepared for the deluge which the heavens unleashed. Rivers of mud and (apparently 6:00 am emergency meetings on-site to ensure that bilge pumps drained water away) made The Pump Festival resemble this year's Glastonbury.

Undaunted, festival goers were rewarded for their dogged determination by some of the weekend's finest acts. The young-uns (as well as some oldies) were 'having it large!' in the family tent where an invigorating set by Broughton Gifford's Port Erin, led by wild (yet strangely refined) frontman Rueben Thyghe had them rocking. Great!  The superb musicianship of another local band, The Cedar was another treat for festival goers. Four part harmonies, more instruments than you can shake a stick (or banana) at, jokes and a chance to interview the drummer – what more can you ask for? A band to watch out for! The theatricality and burlesque of Flipron had the infectious quality of being able to get even the most resolute anti foot tapper throwing cares to the wind and joining in!

Sharon Shannon's set was rich and beautiful. Her virtuoso whistle and melodeon playing complimented the band who accompanied her – a treat indeed. Friday’s mudbath day was completed by the Bagdaddies, who took the audience on a tour to musical corners of the earth. Inspiring!

Saturday - Sunshine and Belly Dancing

Sunshine greeted festival goers on Saturday, and an amazing performance of an 18-year-old from Wales, Gareth Pearson. When he supported Jan Akkerman at the Cheese and Grain in Frome recently, Jan called him a genius. He didn't disappoint, treating his audience to a mini masterclass in his technique, in between playing the bass note with his nose, and frenetic fretboard work I haven't seen since Rory Gallagher back in the day. Unlike Rory, his fingers didn't bleed, but our hearts did when he stopped.

Ruthie Foster has been compared to Aretha Franklin. Her voice, combined with her superb accompaniment by lead guitarist filled Stage One, and the audience loved her. Over on Stage Three, Westcountry born and bred Jenna (hot-tipped to be big in the future) did a superb set on her new guitar. With her sweet voice and lovely modest manner ( "I have this habit of starting songs without the guitar plugged in") she won hearts and minds and no doubt a new fan base.

Nakaira's lengthy sound check preluded exceptional Arabic-sounds. A good set. Holt Morris were to be found at the interval on Saturday afternoon chasing chickens and drawing crowds. Regular festival supporters, their energetic exertions did not disappoint.

Over on Stage three, Shellanagig raised the roof with their mix of fiddle and flute. Their music had a 'world music feel' to it, and the crowd mashed the mud some more underfoot. Hothouse Flowers played newish material, only closing their set with traditional folk rock classics that got the audience going. To close, Oojami on Stage One, were to quote Larry from Plymouth "phenomenal!".  Their eclectic mix of Turkish rap saw a twirling dervish spinning faster than onlookers thought possible. And as for the belly dancer!!  A sensation!

Sunday - "You know what we need is what we got"

Sunday saw Jim Page and Roy Bailey starting off on Stage One. A great set. Van Eyken followed their charge with a great performance, airing his credentials as one of folk music's finest. The Spooky Men's Chorale were enchanting. Their unearthing of archive material from a site in London saw them do a fantastic version  of Queen's 'Flash'. Superb fun, and the audience couldn't get enough of their Antipodean humour and tunefulness.

Kate Rusby (like her former 'Equation'’ band member Seth Lakeman) also brought a film crew with her when she trod the boards. Sounding (and looking) stunning, she proved that female folk singers from Barnsley can ring in the changes. She commented, "Great to see young people down the front!" – a comment on the increasing popularity of folk music to the younger generation. I heard a young chap excitedly talking to his parents about entering the BBC Radio Young Folk Musician of the Year competition. Clearly more new faces to look forward to in the future!

Kate's set was splendid, and confirmed her well-earned place as a premier performer. Tuneful, pitch-perfect singing, and beautiful accompaniment – she nailed it on Sunday night!

The Men They Couldn't Hang ended the festival on Stage One on fine form. Fans and newcomers to the band joined together to celebrate what had been another really great Pump Festival. More people attended than ever before, and considering the volume of traffic and people, the festival organizers did a great job of preventing things descending into chaos. Long may it continue.

In the words of Eric Bibb said, "You know what we need is what we got. We just gotta remember we got it!"

Jim Marshall