Juan the photographer went to The Summertyne Festival armed with his trusty camera & a notebook. Here are his photograph’s (& a few notes below) in & around our Jumpin Hot Club outdoor stage…
From Friday’s Outdoor Stage opener, the local act Sam Gibson, then right onto the equally good -acclaimed singer songwriter Jinski (& the stand in MCee for the day) we all knew we were in for a great weekend of rootsy tootsy Americana music. Bravely Steve Jinski & his side kick/guitarist Dave played on as the heavens opened (which was well appreciated), but the powers that be had no choice but to transfer the rest of the day’s acts to the concourse café indoors. Although the room was a bit echo’y for my taste, at least it was dry. Other highlights of Day One included the always-excellent Gem Andrews and her band with songs such as ” Lungs” written about the miners, & a wonderful work out based around a Julia Darling poem “Two Lighthouses”. We then had Sour Mash Trio finishing off the day as straight subs for a late cancellation from The Zinc Buckets & the Sour Mash’s urban 50’s Sun style rockabilly. This included a very apt version of Johnny Cash “Cry Cry Cry ” as the rain lashed down outside.
On Day Two … Hurrah, the sun was out & here to stay. Bringing a little sunshine in & opening up the quirky container stage was the tall Liverpool based classy folk country singer songwriter Tom Blackwell. A young lady, Rachel Laven from Texas & her backing band The Rosellys, from Southampton (how very international) followed Tom. Their music tasted of both the sweet sunny south’s too. Next up were the lively Arkansas Dave & his band, also from Texas (Not what it said on the tin though) with their popular old school roots rock that pleased some elements of the crowd. However highlight of the day for me was the Dorset trio – William the Conqueror playing souped up & funky alt country with tracks such as “Baby I Did You Wrong”. As they were the last band on stage, in the proceedings we had people up and dancing after a full afternoon of sunshine & maybe other things
Day Three kicked off with some light authentic old timey & jug band music in a old fashioned vibe from the talented CD Wallum Trio then direct from Scotland and just making it here on time were Strange Blue Dreams. They play a self penned mix of 50’s rock n roll with dark overtones & are a cut above with tracks such as ” In My Nature” and their only cover, a surprise version of Sparks “Don’t Let The Monsters Get Me”. They where followed by a couple of regular visitors here & from the open roads of USA too, the married couple/duo “Hymn for Her”. Last seen at 2017 JHot Spielgheltent on the quayside, they seemed a bit more bluesy & grungier today & all the better for it with tracks such as ” Biggle Biggle Town” & Devil’s Train. The end of weekend stage saw the country rock & pop sound of London upstarts “ Curse of Lono”. They also had quite a few supporters out in force for a splendid end to another great weekend of music on the Jumping Hot club outdoor stage. As the sun went down over a packed open-air arena, well done to all the organizers including Graham Shipcote and Tamsin & her Sage team, & a special mention to Stagger Lee for d’jaying through the whole weekend and the irresistible Steve Drayton for his between song patter and the sexiest man / sophisticated lady competitions. He made the audience feel right at home as usual & is also a very likable & humorous human being. These are the good times folks !
Juan Fitzgerald