The weather looks unpredictable, but I am ready to face whatever it throws at me!
Arriving at Worden Park, Leyland, I notice they have changed the area where the concert takes place to an adjoining field. Good because the ground I am standing on is hard core so no slipping in mud!
Nathan Moore, the best host
Nathan Moore (ex Brother Beyond and Worlds Apart) is the host again this year. I have to say he is the best host and puts so much work into the day. Performing his own songs in between acts. Running to the barriers to engage with the audience. Handing out a few special tickets to use the VIP toilets, everyone wants to be handed one – at our age we want a nice clean toilet! There is only a portacabin for me to use so I make sure I don’t drink anything and wait until I get back home! He shouts to the women, “no hands” but they totally ignore him and as soon as he is near them they grope his body.
Boomin, Hue and Cry, Deniece Pearson and Rozalla
First on stage are Boomin. I think they are well known locally because they open up the concert every year – or they have parents working on the show that get them on it!
The fans, mainly in their forties, but older as well, are standing behind the barriers and the stage is quite high up. The sound monitors all across the front of the stage do stop full view of the artists so I hope they realise this and come to stand in front of them.
Hue and Cry were next on stage after Boomin. Hue and Cry are a Scottish pop duo. Brothers Pat Kane and Greg Kane are best known for their single ‘Labour Of Love’.
Deniece Pearson, remember the group Five Star? She is solo now and what a performance. Singing and dancing – a great set, she gives it her all singing the many hits that the group had in the 80’s. ‘Rain Or Shine’. ‘Can’t Wait Another Minute’. ’System Addict’. One hit after another. The sun is shining on her. What energy she has.
Rozalla – you will know her for the song ‘Everybody’s Free’ – once heard, never forgotten as it is so catchy and you end up singing along. She is more of a dance act.
Roland Gift, once lead singer in Fine Young Cannibals.
He just has a guitarist to accompany his singing. A strong, powerful voice. ’She Drives Me Crazy’. ‘Ever Fallen In Love’. ’Suspicious Minds’ ‘Good thing’ – remember any of them? He picks up a bottle of cider and talks about it, then says, that’s the council tax paid. Obviously the drinks people are paying anyone on stage to promote the drink.
Chesney Hawkes – everyone must know who Chesney is?
Recently off the tv show ‘Celebrity Big Brother’. More of the 90’s hits – ‘The One And Only’ was his biggest hit. Did you know that Nik Kershaw wrote it for him? ‘Im A Man Not A Boy’ – all catchy fun songs. Chesney stands in front of the speakers so we can see all of him. He knows the score. He runs down the steps to the audience and gets groped. When you are a pop star these are things you have to put up with. Women who have been fans for many years are going to get their hands on him, they have waited for this moment. He plays his guitar and keyboard during his set.
Chesney has just moved back from America to England.
Chris Moyles – most of us remember him from Radio One.
He has lost so much weight. He now hosts a show on Radio X – to be honest I have never heard of it. He also tours the country with his DJ set, playing hits from the 90’s. He has an hour on stage. The audience sing along with the hits he plays. Chris makes sure he is seen drinking the product that is paying to be seen! He says what a confused line up on stage, so different are each of the groups. Pat Sharp had the DJ set each year and they decided to change it this year. My preference is Martin Kemp every time! I go and sit in the car for twenty minutes.
B*Witched dance onto the stage.
Well the Irish love dancing. Edele and Keavy Lynch, Sinead O’Carroll and Lindsay Armaou – did you know Lindsay was married to Lee Brennan of 911 from 2006 until 2011? ‘Best la Vie’. ‘Jesse Hold On’ ‘Rollercoaster’ ‘Mickey’ ‘Blame It On The Weatherman’ – so many hits, eight singles made the UK top 20. The weather changed from sunshine to a massive pouring of rain whilst they were on stage. Keavy’s two daughters stood in the pit watching mum at work. I think the audience loved B*Witched the most out of all the acts.
The Boomtown Rats close the show at 9pm.
I have been told I can only take photos for two songs. Why? Bob Geldof enters the stage and for the first song just walks very fast back and forward across the stage – I don’t think he wants me to get a picture? The second song he stands further back behind his microphone and stand. I remember when I used to travel to London to cover all the Live Aid promotion/interviews he did – 40 years ago this July – and here I am still making sure that I get these groups good coverage.
That’s it for another year.
I really enjoy covering this concert because the organisers make me feel so welcome and leave me to do my thing.
All photos by Deborah Law
