2010 East Barnet Festival - Part 2.

Subject	East Barnet Festival (Part 2)
PostedDate	7/4/2010
	It's the last day of the 2010 East Barnet Festival.  After yesterday's more eclectic bill, Sunday is usually the more 'rock & roll' day and draws a noticeably bigger crowd. It also helps that for the second year running the festival weekend is blessed with glorious summer weather - if only it was always so!  Due to feeling desperately tired when I got home last night (I'm sure an afternoon drinking in the sun followed by an evening in the pub had nothing to do with this) I didn't manage to get up and get myself sorted out in time to catch the first bands. Regular readers might have noticed a pattern here...  It's a shame as I had wanted to see Ruthless Truth, Wretched Toad, Andy Sharrocks and the Smokin' Jackets, and Junction 23. I arrive in time to see Absolute Rock -previously known by the much better name of Metal Detector.  Why give your band a name that makes people think of a very bland radio station? Fortunately the band sound much better than their boring name suggests, and although they have a 'pub band' aura about them they play music closer to my personal taste than any other band I see over the weekend. However, the sight of someone singing a Whitesnake song while clad in baggy shorts is just so wrong.  Worth checking out next time they appear in a local pub I think. Next up are regulars of the Barnet scene (if you can call it that) the Faith Stealers. I wasn't that impressed when I first saw this band several years ago, but I think they turn in a good performance today. Their set of mainly Mod covers goes down well with the crowd - if you are into The Who and The Jam then you'll probably find them worth checking out. Schweet Azzz are probably the most popular local band and their gigs are always well attended. It takes a long time for a band to build up a loyal following, and this lot have been going for a long time. Part of the reason for their local success is that they know what songs people want to hear in the pubs. They are fronted by singer's Phil and the inimitable Barnsley - who has been described (with some justification) as "turning every song into a football chant". However, the band are competant musicians and play a crowd pleasing set of classic rock covers. Another bunch of well known local characters are on later after the Al Pascal Music School have shown us what their pupils are capable of. Four is the latest version of popular local rock covers band Three - now featuring well known local character and ex-Texas Flyers frontman Big Steve on lead vocals. You may also recognise bass player Marny from playing with Braezen yesterday. Steve is an irrepressible larger-than-life bloke who really comes into his own once he gets on a stage with a mic in his hand. He's also a pretty good singer who can really belt it out. He might not look the part, but I don't think there is anyone locally who is better at fronting a band - you don't often see a personality like that on stage in a pub. This year's festival is closed by the Bizzarros. This is a proper 'Showband' and by far the most polished and professional act of the day. Their act is aimed more at the older and more 'middle-of-the-road' audience. Their set is largely soul and R&B based and they are excellent musicians with a natural and charismatic frontman. Maybe not 'rock 'n' roll enough for my taste personally but worthy headliners all the same. I think for the second year running the East Barnet Festival has been a great success. It's mainly the music and meeting my friends that I look forward to every year, although apart from the beer tent there are many other attractions, with different things to keep all the family amused. The beer tent is also reasonably priced - which goes to show that it isn't neccessary to have rip-off prices like at nearly all other festivals. The portable toilets aren't too lovely by later in the day, but I've experienced worse.  It's rather ironic that the toilets are right next to the excellent permanent toilets in the park's sports pavillion - which remained locked for the weekend due to the huge amount of money Barnet Council wanted to unlock them.  It's a shame that the support Barnet Council extend to the festival doesn't allow the use of the toilets on site... That gripe aside - I can't really fault the festival for a good cheap local day out. This year's festival enjoyed excellent weather and was very well attended in spite of clashing with the World Cup Football - long may it continue!  And then, it's off to the pub until closing time...