Teddy Rocks 2024 – Day 2

May 4, 2024 0 By Jon

Charisworth Farm, Blandford Forum

After a great night’s sleep in my own bed, yes; I’m old and have not camped at a festival since sharing a tent with 6’7″ Ross at the Isle of Wight Festival…never again!! As my home is only twenty minutes from the site, I take the trip for all my creature comforts and to give my two dogs a walk before returning. Thankfully the sun is still shining and looking at the lanyard we have a day full with an eclectic selection of acts from various main stage Tribute bands, local favourites Lady Winwoods Maggot, to Massive Wagons and of course those cider guzzlers The Wurzels.

Our days starts with a few tracks on the main stage from Blonk 182, a Blink 182 tribute and from the raised platform at the back the guys sound authentic and the large crowd really seem to be digging them in this sunshine.

Blonk 182 1

Next, we arrive in the Vocalzone tent for some original music from 4-piece Indie band Lucid and are dismayed to find them playing a cover of Destiny’s Child’s “Survivor” along with a Billy Eillish cover. The band are competent and full of youthful enthusiasm and when we get a few of their originals, it’s clear there is plenty of potential.

Back to the mainstage and local musician Andy Smooth (Bad Magic/Black Water County/Skinny Knowledge) is fronting the Green Day Tribute band Dookie and oh dear, he’s left his Billie Joe Armstrong wig at home. He makes light of the faux pah and wears a trucker cap over his bald head for much of the set. However, various Green Day inappropriate, more hair metal wigs are brought on stage for him to wear with hilarious effects. The band authentically power through a crowd-pleasing set full of the best known hits including the huge “American Idiot”, “Welcome to Paradise” and a big sing-a-long ensues during “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”.

Dookie 1–2–3–4

The Merry Woodland provides a nice change of pace coming from acoustic duo Fly Yeti Fly. I have seen this husband-and-wife duo of travelling troubadours before and I’m never disappointed with what they have to offer. It’s wholesome Folk music with some pure harmonies and subtle guitar/mandolin skills. With songs like “Firewood”, the hard hitting “St John River” and an impromptu cover of The Waterboys “Fisherman’s Blue” they enchant the crowd with their divine musical prowess.

Fly Yeti Fly

I turn around and head towards the small acoustic stage and see the ukulele princess Kitty Stewart; who thrills us with a song about her first ukulele called “Talula”, along with a unique Drum & Bass medley featuring a host of familiar tunes. As a seemingly grumpy old man, I’d like to know her secret on how she constantly keeps infectiously smiling.

Kitty Stewart

Madness Tribute One Step Behind are now on the main stage and are belting out hit after hit and the audience are responding by singing along. Everybody knows the words to “Our House”, “Baggy Trousers”, “House of Fun” etc. The band sound authentic enough, however the lead singer does sound more like Mike Barson than Suggs.

One Step Behind 1

With the sun still high in a virtually cloudless sky, the suncream comes out and it’s off to the Vocalzone tent to catch Weymouth band Weatherstate, who are already firing on all cylinders with their Punk-infused Rock; their energy and faultless delivery clearly impress this crowd.

Hi-On Maiden, a tribute to the great Iron Maiden take to the stage; apart from the fact that they are missing a guitarist (Iron Maiden usually have three), they seem to provide a half decent sound. Though personally as a long time Maiden fan from the 80’s I know there is no substitute for the real thing, and no-one can capture the band’s essence better that Bruce Dickenson and the guys. It’s a difficult watch for me I’m afraid, however loads of the crowd are enjoying them around me and that’s what matters.

Hi On Maiden

I head off to the sanctuary of the Merrywood Land stage to catch singer/songwriter Gaz Brookfield. With just an acoustic guitar and a set full of original songs, this fiercely independent guy captivates the audience with his stories and his voice; a proper travelling troubadour. Without his usual side-kick Benny Wain he still delivers with tracks like the emotive “Nuggets”, the thought provoking “Card from The King” and the ever popular “Maps”. This is the third time that he has played Teddy Rocks and I’m sure that his popularity and performance will get him yet another invite in the future.

Gaz Brookfield 1

Rock four-piece Skarlett Riot are a welcome addition to the festival line-up and having seen them several times before, I know that missing them is not an option. With Chloe Drinkerwater on Vocals, brothers Dan on guitar and Luke on drums and bassist Mart Trail, the band are quick to draw a good crowd in with their melodic guitar; coupled with some creative ground-shaking rhythms, together with Chloe’s powerful impassioned vocals really hitting the spot. Mental health is brought to the fore with “Hold Tight”, while new single “Lullaby” soars high with its onstage energy, delicious guitar riffs and its dual screamed/clean vocals. Chloe interacts with the audience and even takes a trip from the stage into the crowd, much to everybody’s delight. Certainly for me, one of the performances of the weekend; however we have Lancaster’s finest Massive Wagons, who I’m sure will try and wrestle that from them.

Skarlett Riot 1–2

I catch my breath and quickly dash (as fast as a 54-year-old can) to the Merrywoodland stage to catch my second dose of Mischa & His Merry Men of the weekend. We are treated to a brand new track in the form of the utterly infectious “Soulshine” and new vocalist Maria Primmer is showing her worth, providing some fine additional backing to Mischa. “Trans-Orbital Lobotomy” is a true assault on your senses, while “Unicorn Rainbow Heart” is a sweet candyfloss-coated love song that softens the heart of even the toughest. Each time I see this band live it feels like my favourite, a band I never tire of watching as one gig is always so different from the next.

Mischa And His Merry Men

Right; back under canvas to see local legends Lady Winwoods Maggot, a four-piece who I am very well acquainted with. If you asked me how many times I have seen them I just couldn’t answer you – not that I can’t remember, just too many to count. As well as being four top guys they make quite a racket too and share a host of different influences from a wide spectrum of places, there is always plenty of sarcasm and tongue in cheek political references. This afternoon we have a stand-in bassist in the form of Gav from Black Water County. He fits in really well and the band give a great accountant of themselves with tracks like “John Henry”, “Soldiers Joy”, the banjo-lead “Unleash the Dogs” and a track called “Jolene” – apparently written by the Great Grandma Dolly. Sadly, I have to dip out towards the end of their set as I have an appointment with Baz and co. in the Vocalzone tent.

Lady Winwoods Maggot 1–2

Since first hearing “Billy Balloonhead” and the Status Quo-inspired “Back to The Stack” back about 5 years ago I was hooked on all Massive Wagons have to offer. Seeing them at the Winter’s End festival for the first time was an eye opener and along with Those Damn Crows I had my two new favourite bands. The band burst on stage and bravely open with “Sleep Forever”, a brand new track from their forthcoming 7th album. Then, straight into “Arsehole” and the highly energetic Baz is giving the middle finger to virtually everyone in the front row – surely a compliment from these Lancashire folk.

Kudos must go out to the sound techs as Stevie and Adam’s guitars are sounding particularly epic tonight. After the crowd pleasing “Tokyo”, the band present another banger of a new track called “Free and Easy”, which really hits the spot. All in all the band deliver a high pace, high energy masterclass of 13 tracks that more than please the existing fans and gain the band plenty of new followers. I can’t help but smile from ear to ear as I just love watching these guys play live.

Massive Wagons 1–2–3–4

However, no time to dwell on that; the local Hampshire band formerly known as Saints of Sin (now SOS) are on the Big Man Stage. Sparxx, Josh, Ash and JV are doing what they do best; being scheduled against Massive Wagons is a cruel blow, though they take it in their stride. The quartet bounce on and off the stage with seemingly endless energy, weaving in and out of the crowd while still singing and playing their guitars…sadly drummer Josh is rooted to his spot. With last year’s single offering the Summery vibes “Maryjane” and their danceable reworking of “Uptown Funk” as their closer; this is just the start of the band’s Summer dominance at local festivals, where they are set to slay a host of audiences.

SOS 1–2–3–4

Right; I need a rest so I grab myself some Chinese comprising of Chicken Toast, Duck Spring Rolls along with some Noodles and washed down with a very rock n’ roll cup of tea! That was just the ticket and as I look at my watch I realise it’s time to put my wellies on and get all agricultural with Nailsea, Somerset’s finest scrumpy and western export The Wurzels. Banner and Budd and their band are wheeled out year after year to entertain the masses at a host of events up and down the country. Despite having hits in the 1970’s the band appeal to all ages and tonight’s audience no matter what age all seem to know the words.

The songs have plenty of Carry-On style innuendo’s and who does not love a bit saucy postcard humour for example: “OH What A Beauty”, apparently a song about a large marrow. The big hitters such as “Blackbird” and “Combine Harvester” get the crowd singing enthusiastically at the tops of their voices. That completes Day Two which has been a hectic but fun day with so much to enjoy……