Butlins Skegness Rock & Blues Weekend

Friday January 28th - Sunday January 30th

Arrived at 2.30, great run from Nott’s, first band up were Climax Blues Band who as you would expect delivered a flawless performance, a great start to the weekend, this is our first chance to try out The Sky Bar which is the suspended balcony above the main crowd in centre Stage, this turned out to be to our liking, waiter service, unobstructed view and plenty of room, below us in the main room the place was starting to fill up nicely.

Next to the stage the one & only Connie Lush & Blueshouter, Connie resplendent in red top hat with large pheasant quill didn't take long to get the full house behind her and her fantastic band Blueshouter, when you have a band with this much talent as one of the opening bands you know you are in for a great weekend.

Now the third and last band of the night The Pretty Things bring back memories of wasted college days debating who was the better band The Stones or The Pretties at the time plenty to talk about tonight I had reliably informed they are kids using the name, Wrong, straight into Roadrunner and away we go back to 1963 ( Don’t Bring Me Down then The Beat goes On ), this band have what lot of younger bands lack energy with the knack of not breaking sweat, nothing fancy, What You See is What You Get, the same as 1963, something’s never change, The Stones won didn't they just. Dick Taylor reputed to be 68 played the first blues of the weekend, acoustic Robert Johnson and some Sonnyboy Williamson gob harp from Phil May, The Pretty Things have raised the stakes and dared to play proper blues at a BLUES FESTIVAL, OK we are not going to get The Stones but The Pretties will do me.

A fantastic start to any weekend of blues, bring it on!!

Skegness Saturday, a good night’s sleep fed and watered and ready for the days entertainment, a quick glance at the program to check who is on and oh!, not a great deal really from mid-day until the break for tea (5.00) only Paul Lamb really worth the effort, so decided to check out "Jak's" smallest of the three venues where Roadhouse were just warming up the crowd for the "Jam Session", credit where it is due Gary Bonner has certainly got the mix right with the three gorgeous vocalists leading from the front, just ask any guy in the room.

Sandi Thom delivered a set full of composure and undeniable talent but it ain't blues or rock, ending what I thought was a disappointing Saturday line up was Norman Beaker featuring Herbi Goins along with Paul Lamb picks of the day.

Sunday Centre Stage is the place to be today, will have to get in the queue early for a good spot, in place and first band up Gary Fletcher Band as you would expect from such a talented band a nice set of easy listening blues perfect opening act. The Hamsters doing Hendrix to a packed Centre Stage what more do you want on a cold January afternoon in Skeggy, there must be 3500 in this room loving every minute, brilliant.

A thousand people rush out for a fag before the coolest band this weekend takes to the stage to belt out some good old Rhythm 'n Blues, Nine Below Zero certainly know how to get the best out of the massive Skegness crowd who are singing and dancing along with every number.

Finally Roadhouse finishes off this amazing afternoon session with another blistering set from Gary B & The Girls.

The evening session kicked off with Ric Lee's Blues Project (ex 10 Years After) with Mick Clarke on lead guitar & Bob Hall (ex Savoy Brown) on electric piano, Danny Handley on guitar and vocals, as you would expect we were witness to some amazing guitars solos, Honkie Tonk and Boogie Woogie piano and the only drum solo of the weekend I suppose if it's your band you can get away with it (it was good though).

Dr Feelgood what can you say, the two main men missing yet they still do the biz' says a lot for the music, rocked the packed joint to the rafters, WOW!!, building up to a nice finale King King featuring Alan Nimmo who have been storming festivals all over the UK & Europe, but can they follow Feelgood & The Hamsters, yes they can and some, proving there is new talent out there who can command the stage and entertain 3500 fans, and are looking to take the places of the established bands.

This was only Centre Stage (Blues Stage) apologies for not going to Reds Bar to check out the superb rock acts.
What a great weekend, book early for next year it was sold out this year.

Barry Middleton