Day 2, Sunday 3 July 2011

So who the hell are Tommy Scott And The Red Scare? I was advised that Scott was once head honcho at Liverpool’s band Space who enjoyed some success many moons ago. The band had the challenging task of kicking off sets at the main stage in front of a small but building crowd. I have to say they triumphed and in common so acts from the previous day seemed to love working this show.

After promising myself that the Dawsons Alternative venue would be off my menu for the day, that precisely where I head off to on another scorcher of a day. I arrive to see the first band, The Falls, kick off events there with three guitarists (including the vocalist) only. Nerves and lack of experience may have got to the singer who sounded strained and out of key.

I didn’t realise The Lightning Seeds were still performing, but there they were as clear as day on the main stage. The Lightning Seeds are an alternative rock-pop band from Liverpool, formed by Ian Broudie (vocals, guitar, producer) in 1989. Originally a studio-based solo project for Broudie, The Lightning Seeds expanded into a touring band following Jollification (1994). The group experienced commercial success throughout the 1990s and are well-known for their single “Three Lions”, a collaboration with David Baddiel and Frank Skinner which reached No. 1 in the UK in 1996 and 1998.

The band released their sixth studio album, Four Winds, in 2009 Numerous festival dates followed with both Martyn Campbell and Angie Pollock reprising their roles in what was now once again a four piece group, with drums worked by Rob Allum. In a tour that took in numerous dates, including Dockfest, Cornbury, Guilfest, Cardiff big Weekend (where Angie contracted swine flu so the band performed for the only time to date as a three piece) Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and the V Festival, they played old and new tracks together to promote
the new album. During December 2009 Broudie performed on a short acoustic tour, sharing the shows with James Walsh from Starsailor. He played along side Angie Pollock on keyboards with Riley Broudie contributing on guitar. In early 2010, a short Lightning Seeds tour was announced. Angie Pollock returned on keyboards, the Drummer was Stephen Gilchrist and Didz Hammond played Bass, with Riley continuing on guitar.

The band sounded and even looked fresh with many punters dancing away to some of their favourite tunes. The Lightning Seeds are still a force to be reckoned with on this excellent showing.

By the time Feeder appeared at 3:20 the crowd had reached its peak quantity level no doubt to see this band who are a festival favourite. Feeder is an award-winning Welsh rock band that formed in Newport, Wales in 1992. With the lead single “Buck Rogers” from their 2001 album Echo Park, Feeder entered the mainstream, around a time manufactured pop was frequently dominating the top 10.

After their breakthrough year, their drummer Jon Lee committed suicide in his Miami home in January 2002. The band vowed to continue and would then in October 2002 release Comfort In Sound; an album musically and lyrically focused around the band’s emotions at the time, and was well-received by critics. Former Skunk Anansie and Little Angels drummer Mark Richardson joined the band in August 2002. Alongside Jon, the band were originally comprised of Grant Nicholas (lead vocals, guitar, piano) and Taka Hirose (bass). As of December 2006, according to the ranking system in the Guinness Book of British Hit Singles and Albums, Feeder are one of the most successful UK chart acts of all-time based on the combination of single and album chart weeks, as they rank at #500 or above at #457. To date they have twenty-three top 75 singles, and five top 10 albums.

The guys looked great and performed out of their skins - another concrete example of an act really enjoying the Chester Rocks vibe.