PORT FAIRY FESTIVAL 2011

Hi there folks, well we have been busy what with the back to school on slaught straight after a New Zealand tour, most of the band teach at schools as well as privately so it is always  a challenge to get back into the schooling routine. As soon as we found our feet we whisked ourselves off to Port Fairy Festival for the first time in four years and we had a fantastic time. They have been running this festival long enough to get it just right and we all felt honoured to perform at all the stages we appeared on.

Some of the highlights of other live acts for me were ” Les Chauferes a la Pied” from Canada, wild blisstering talent here, and Crooked Still also shone. The young Dutch born honourary Galway man!, Christov was sublime in the delivery of each of his superbly written songs and Christov will be one I will follow in the future with  keen ears.

Andy Irvine’s  and Rens van der Zelm concerts were outstanding, especially on Monday when they were joined by Tony Mc Manus on his Melville guitar for the last few songs. Tony was clearly moved to be included on stage with Andy.

Darren Hanlon did Queensland proud with his fine collection of original songs, such a relaxed endearing  performer he has become since we last saw him at Wintermoon in 2005/6  (it’s all a blur) when he was just getting started with his touring career. His storytelling between songs is very entertaining indeed.Of course we couldn’t catch everything that was on so this is not an accurate overview of the festival.

For ourselves we had a great time at our gigs and a restful fun time back at the house we were given by the festival. We sold lots and lots of our new CD   and would like to thank everyone who came to the gigs and supported us. See you all soon we hope.

Sunday night we caught up with our local mates OKA who said they had a huge festival, no surprises there, and it was special to have a few beers together out of town.

We drove part way along the Great Ocean Road on the way home and the sun came out and made everything look happy and healthy. A copy of  one of the bold Tommy Tiernan’s live CD had us in stiches and groaning at times. “Im a bit horny” … ” well you had yor chance”.

Steve Cook is heading to the National over Easter to do some All Australian shows with the brilliantly talented John Thompson from Cloudstreet. Well worth catching . 

On ward to glory and Wintermoon.