Nozfest - Southampton review 2

Nozfest part 2

The 1865, Southampton - 10/9/19

Review by; DeeDee

Photography by; Helen

As the afternoon turns into early evening, here in Southampton at THE 1865, the festival is in full swing. After 4 bands, it is still only 6pm and the day has already been a triumph for organiser Jodie Harris. Time for the remaining performances.

One band I have been waiting for ages to see is StOp sToP. The video for ‘The Last Call’ is re-enacted, when the band dress up as old men to start their show, so clever, what a great idea. There is a lot of humour and antics to follow, singer Jacob has some marvellous facial expressions, they are truly the most entertaining of acts. From the last album ‘Get Selfied’ they play ‘Renegade’ before a run from ‘Join The Party’ which came out in 2014. ‘Lola’ is also a bouncy rocker. Vega is dressed all in black, with his guitar hung low, while Jacob jumps around the stage, hardly still for a second. Along with Danny on drums they are an amazing trio to watch. All three join the audience for a singalong before finishing with ’StOp sToP’.

Awesome band, so professional, see them in September supporting Jeff Scott Soto an at HRH Sleaze, you won’t be disappointed.

The legend that is MARCO MENDOZA plays next, with Mickey Crystal of the ‘Tygers Of Pan Tang’ on guitar and drummer Kyle Hughes, who has appeared regularly with Bumblefoot. It’s a more bluesy and funky 45 minutes, as the Ex Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake and Blue Murder bass player, gets us clicking our fingers. ‘Viva La Rock’ opens, it’s the title of his latest album and current tour. Twelve bar blues and a rendition of ‘Give Peace A Chance’ capture us, while Marco walks among the Nozfest crowd, kissing the girls along the way. Crystal plays some electrifying guitar throughout and as they end on Stevie Wonder’s ‘Higher Ground’ you have to admire Marco, such a busy guy but one of the most people friendly rock stars you will ever meet. Marcos ‘La Viva Rock’ tour continues in the US, while Micky Crystal will rejoin the Tygers in November for a UK Tour.

Everyone is so sad that BIGFOOT are on the brink of disbanding. They are one of the most popular and fun loving of the NWOCR groups and it has come as a shock to many, that they have taken this decision. No surprise that the faithful have packed the room for these, hands are in the air from the off. They play ‘Freakshow’, ‘The Fear’ and ‘For Ever Alone’ from the self titled 2017 Album. The soulful vocals of Sean Seabrook are strong, yet melt perfectly alongside the twin guitars of Mick McCullagh and Sam Millar. Matt Avery on bass, kicks in a little funk with some ‘Extreme’ strumming and Tom Aspinall is exceptional on drums. Sean gets the audience to join in and compete, one side of the room with the other, it’s pretty deafening. I will miss this cheeky lot, they are another band that don’t have ego’s, often seen hanging out at the bar afterwards. ‘Blame It On The Dog’ from the 2016 EP ’Stone Soldiers’ concludes matters and they leave to rapturous applause.

Do go and see them on their farewell tour in September, you can say you were there in years to come. In the meantime Sam Millar has released a solo album ‘Holy Sass’ which is worth a listen.

THOSE DAMN CROWS are one of the bands of the moment, after a series of gigs and festivals already completed this year, they are escalating like there’s no tomorrow. The Steelhouse performance was one of the most outstanding of the day and I couldn’t get in the tent to see them at Download, it was that packed.

The lads from Bridgend are fronted by Shane Greenhall, who has one of the most passionate and formidable voices I’ve heard for ages. Tonight the set is mostly from the album ‘Murder And The Motive’, such spellbinding numbers like ‘Behind These Walls’, ’Someone Someday’, ‘Fear Of The Broken’ and ‘Blink Of an Eye’ all rolling off the back of each other, so the 45 minutes are over far too soon. Bass player Lloyd Wood and Ronnie Huxford on drums are outstanding, the riffs from David Winchurch and Ian Thomas are so compatible that well, Those Damn Crows are f**kin amazing, to put it bluntly. Always plenty of chances to see them live, they are in such high demand.

It is gone 10pm before MASSIVE WAGONS hit the stage and the Nozfest throng have thinned a little. But that doesn’t deter singer Baz Mills and company, they are straight in with ‘Billy Balloon Head’ a screamer of a track from the ‘Full Nelson’ album, as is 99% of the numbers we hear. ‘Under No Illusion’ is a catchy anthem, that grabs you really quickly. Hard to imagine this band started out in 2009, I think they have come on leaps and bounds recently, headlining the Friday at Steelhouse and tonight just goes to prove, that they are one of those reliable crews, that always deliver. Quite original in his dapper Red Tartan suit and bowler hat, Baz lashes out ‘China Plates’ which is faster, with some cool guitar from Adam Thistlewaite and then ‘Ratio’ which is a slow, heartfelt message for Baz’s sister. ‘Back To The Stack’ is last up, a raunchy rocker to bring the festival to a close. Massive Wagons have really grown on me this year, love them. Catch the Lancaster lads in October when they play a few more shows.

And there you have it, NOZFEST is over and it has been a wonderful day. Hats off to Jodie, for getting this together, she has really done herself proud. With talk of next years festival being planned already, we at ROCK MEDIA UK can’t wait to come back.