Sunday 1 July 2012

Live - in pictures: The Correspondents / Wilko Johnson / Jake Shillingford / James Taylor Quartet at Village Green Festival, Chalkwell Park, Southend 30/6/12

The legendary Wilko Johnson
A great day was had yesterday at the Village Green Festival - credit must go to the organisers (Metal) and Southend Council for putting on such a great free event (and for ordering such good weather!). Thousands of people came to enjoy the great atmosphere and the wide mix of entertainment on offer.

The Correspondents
The Correspondents played an amusing blend of electro-pop, drum and bass and jungle - good to listen to, but weird to watch as the singer looked more than a bit like he was auditioning to be in Jedward (no off-colour jokes about men wanting to be in Jedward please...).

Wilko on fine form
Wilko Johnson, backed by the bass player and drummer from The Bloockheads, was on fine form. Dancing around the stage like he was 40 years younger, he machined us with his guitar and complained that the stage wasn't slippery enough for him to do some of his trademark moves. The guy is a legend - surely the Honours List beckons? Sir Wilko Johnson of the Thames Delta has a fine ring to it...

Jake Shillingford
Hailing originally from Southchurch, Jake Shillingford was happy to be back on home turf. Playing 5 of My Life Story's 6 top 40 hits, he started with 'Sparkle', ended with 'Strumpet' and played some fine stuff in between, including a cracking version of '12 Reasons Why I Love Her'.

The James Taylor Quartet
Having driven all the way down from Glasgow to fill the gap left by the last-minute drop-out of Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly!, JTQ hit the ground running with a great version of Booker T's 'Green Onions'. In the early evening sun they were a big hit with the crowd, who danced and clapped along to their mellow grooves. A nice relaxing way to end a nice relaxing day. See you there next year!

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