Sign Of The Times Festival – Day 1

June 16, 2023 Off By Jon

Church End, Little Hadnam, Herfordshire

Sign of The Times festival first came onto my radar fifteen months ago when a friend suggested I join her as (in her words) the line-up is great. It was my last visit to Blackpool’s Rebellion (Punk) Festival so I politely declined. A year on and with ten years of Rebellion behind me I decided it was time to dip my toe in the Sign Of The Times water (so to speak). The other deciding factor I guess was seeing my favourite band headlining – more of that later…

So, with a cheap tent bought and camping/weekend ticket purchased I joined my two friends for what would turn out to be a wonderful weekend of live music. Breakfast was taken early in London at the wonderful San Marino restaurant in Leytonstone (well worth a visit if in the area), and off we went – taking in a bit of antique shopping en route. We arrived early enough to avoid any huge queues, put up the tent and get to the wristband exchange. All was achieved with minimal fuss by helpful festival staff and it was then just the wait for the gates to open.

There’s a fifteen minute delay as we are informed there’s an issue with the water station. A few irritated punters briefly vent, admittedly it is stiflingly hot – but once the issue is sorted the gates are opened. Punters with picnic chairs/blankets etc make for the best spots, I decide to have a look around. The site itself holds two stages. The open air ‘Main Stage’ and the covered ‘Big Top Stage’. There are plenty of food outlets and an array of stalls of varying description. Two generous sized bars are well positioned and there’s a V.I.P. area too. A warm-Up DJ is cranking up the sounds in advance of the first act of the day over in the Big Top Stage.

Oh My God It’s The Church bring cabaret to the party early doors on the graveyard shift. They have pulled a few early punters to escape the searing heat. These highly entertaining, multi-instrumentalists begin to put on a show. Why then the lead singer decides upon a ten minute rant about nothing particular is anyone’s guess? It evokes memories of Gospel preachers but with way too much cussing this early of an afternoon and the punters leave in their droves.

Over on the Main Stage those “Epsom Mad Funkers” are taking their places. Yep, you’ve guessed it – it’s only EMF!! This quartet have pulled a sizeable early afternoon crowd and open with ‘Children’. James is in fine form, cajoling and bantering with this crowd. His voice has stood the test of time, even if the grey hair is starting to show. They announce a cover early doors that they say is working really well on tour. Cue Depeche Mode’s “Just Can’t Get Enough”. They get away with it before ad-libbing towards the end as they start to have fun. We get all the hits including “I Believe”, “Unbelievable” and “I’m a Believer”.

Ok so there’s one or two bum notes here and there with a bit of clowning around towards the end, but they seem hell bent on enjoyment. James reminds us of where their name came from; those of us in the know, know. Cue their final song, live favourite “E.M.F.”, complete with crowd participation. It has been a good thirty years since I last saw EMF live, but it was worth the wait. They leave to great applause and take the plaudits.

I head over to the Big Top for “Jesus Jones” who I’ve not seen for nearly a decade. Their first three songs including “Zeroes and Ones” are spoilt by heavy bass reverb – Mike (Edwards) jokes ‘it’s our sixth band member’ just as the reverb ceases! Once again it’s a best-of set and they don’t disappoint. “International Bright Young Thing” is an early highlight and somewhat ironic with the age(s) of punters and band alike. On “Right Here, Right Now” Mike doesn’t quite attain those high notes of his youth, but there’s no lack of energy on this stage – notably from ‘Iain Baker’ (keys) who is like a coiled spring as he covers every inch of the stage when not pushing the keys. Mike jokes that “the second half of the set will contain songs that didn’t quite trouble the Top 40”, including the song ‘that started it all off for us’, the brilliant “Info Freako”. “Real, Real, Real” is another of these and while a part of me wants to leave to catch “Elvana”, I stick around as I’m really enjoying Jesus Jones. They too leave to great applause as I head back outside.

Having seen Elvana once already this year I’m not too disappointed to only catch their final song. I head to the bar to beat the crowds and then head back to the Big Top for The House Of Love. They open with a chiming guitar-heavy “Cruel” before a mesmerising version of “Christine” which has the die-hards among us dancing uncontrollably (myself included). Guy Chadwick (Vocals) has not lost his vocal layering quality as he shows during this performance, but it’s Keith Osborne (Guitars) who steals the show throughout with some truly wonderful picking – chimes aplenty. Harry Osborne (Bass) is no less important while Hugo (drums) keeps a fierce beat in the engine room.

Their biggest hit “Shine On” is thankfully delivered mid-set before a heartwarming delivery of “The Girl with the Loneliest Eyes”. Power is resumed with ‘I Don’t Know Why I Love You’ and they save the best ’til last with a furious version of “Destroy the Heart”. They may not have pulled the biggest crowd of the day but certainly (IMO) the performance of the day. Thirty years ago I had tickets to see this band, but a failed MOT put paid to that. I genuinely thought I’d never see them live so this thirty year wait for me didn’t disappoint. Hopefully it won’t be my only House of Love live experience. They too leave to great applause.

Back over on the Main Stage Ferocious Dog are entertaining a huge crowd. Having missed most of their set I catch my breath during their last song “Slow Motion Suicide”. It’s one big singalong as they end on a high. Back in the Big Top are another band I have yet to see live. Stereo MC’s have virtually filled this tent and get everyone moving from the get-go. I’ll admit I only know two of their songs, yet from the very first bars of their opener we find ourselves moving. Rob Birch (Lead Vocals) is in fine form as he patrols every inch of this stage, ably assisted by Cath Coffey (Vocals).

They gently build their set with the worldwide hit “Connected”, strategically placed mid-set to keep the punters on board. When they endure some technical difficulties Rob begins a five minute, off the cuff rap which is truly incredible as he gives us a burst so poetic it’s almost unfathomable that it could’ve been rehearsed. I’m desperate to catch some of Marc Almond’s set so beat a retreat to the main stage. As I leave I hear “Step It Up” loud and clear – oh well…

Marc Almond is a big draw and has pulled a huge percentage of the day’s audience. He gives a very theatrical performance along with his band, despite claiming to be suffering with hay fever! His set is largely culled from his extensive back catalogue and thankfully I get to hear both ‘Tainted Love’ and “Say Hello, Wave Goodbye”, along with “Jacky” and “The Days of Pearly Spencer”. He ends his set with a rampant cover of “Hot Love” (T Rex) and leaves to long, loud applause. Sustenance is required so a visit to the Fish and Chips van means I miss the opening few songs by Big Top headliners “Reef”.

I will admit now that my last Reef experience wasn’t the best, so I head over open-minded to give them another go. I needn’t have worried, they deliver a best-of set with many highs. There’s also a line-up change from when I saw them last. Amy Newton (guitar) and Luke Bullen (drums) replace the out-going Jesse Wood and Dom Greensmith respectively, but I guess it’s all about the songs. With dinner on board I arrive in time to hear “Something To Say” which is the first big singalong.

“Place Your Hands” soon follows as Gary Stringer (Lead Vocals) really pushes every ounce from his lungs while displaying that familiar stagecraft of his. “Come Back Brighter” and “I Would Have Left You” are new songs to my ears but no less enjoyable. “Refugee” is a late set highlight and they go out with a bang with brilliant set closer “Yer Old”. Reef prove themselves to be worthy Friday night headliners on this stage and I look forward to a South Coast date on their current tour.

Headlining the Main Stage are “Festival Royalty” in the shape of The Levellers. I arrive in time to catch the last hour of their set. They too experience one or two technical difficulties, but Mark Chadwick (Lead Vocals/guitars) seems to laugh it off – notably during the choruses. I won’t admit to knowing many of the songs tonight, the band have been off my radar for a while having not seen them live for at least ten years or more. The issues continue during (to my ears) a paired back rendition of “One Way”, which sees this audience in fine voice.

Mark’s frustration is evident in his occasional cussing but he is quick to praise this festival, the weather and the overall vibe. They end their main set with the now customary “Riverflow”. This takes us all right back and the punters respond enthusiastically. They leave the stage for five minutes before returning for a two song encore. The first is rather poignant in the form of “Another Man’s Cause” before they depart us on “Beautiful Day”. The band take their bows and bid us farewell. We all retreat to our accommodation, ready for a full day’s entertainment tomorrow.

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