The day so far had been a vintage rock day no doubt targeted at soem of the locations older residents. Shaun William Ryder continued the saga looking cleaner and more sober than I can remember. That period in the jungle must have generated some changes as he actually looked great and with his female co-vocalist. Best known as lead singer for Happy Mondays and Black Grape Ryder has collaborated with quite a few artists over the years including Freddie Mercury (on the song ‘Barcelona’) and even acted on TV. For this show he performed a selection of soul and pop songs although I had hoped he would reprise something from his Black Grape years…

Back at the Dawson Alternative Unsigned venue I caught up with The Loud’s country rock again after seeing them at Liverpool Sound City in May. This is one band who I really feel will be signed (if they want to be) sooner than later - they have the skills and songs.

Then it was back to the main stage for I Am Kloot, a band who I wish I could like a lot more than I do. The band were formed in Manchester, in 1999 by John Bramwell (guitar/vocals), Peter Jobson (bass) and Andy Hargreaves (drums). Their performance was top-drawer but I believe song-writing could be better (more melodic…) although they do tend to tackle social issues which I like. That said, this was their best live performance in my experience.

Back in 2008/9 I saw my first ever tribute band - TWICE! It was at Liverpool’s Echo Arena and after seeing Roger Waters at the same venue. I have always tended to treat these tribute bands with nil respect but Australian Pink Floyd forced a rethink. They sold out the arena for God’s sake and that’s 11,000 punters worth!!! Then managed the same trick a month later… They are incredible although over the last couple of years a few of the original band have split off to form The British Pink Floyd. For 45 minutes myself and arguably the biggest crowd of the day were transported back in time to some of the greatest rock music ever recorded, shit I almost bloody cried on seeing and hearing this stuff…

Performing  ‘Comfortably Numb’, ‘Another Brick In The Wall’, ‘Time’, ‘Wish You Were Here’, ‘One Of These Days’ and ‘The Great Gig In The Sky’ I heard truly great music at Chester Rocks, superbly performed. Hell it was all worth it just for this…