One battle + six acts = Cumbrian talent rocks.
For several years now, the Cumbria music scene has been regarded as a hotbed for local talent, especially groups and post-COVID, the live music scene has gradually recovered with bands performing to packed audiences across the county, writes John Hastings.
On Sunday, The Fanzone at Derwent Park in Workington bathed in gorgeous sunshine as the eagerly awaited Battle Of The Bands took place with six groups each hoping for the well attended audience to vote for them – from indie-rock to grunge via classic rock, there was something for everyone lucky enough to be there.
Kicking off proceedings shortly after one o’clock were the Workington based trio Fury Versus Us with their strident brand of indie-rock.
Performing first at an event is never easy but these gentlemen showed not one glimmer of nerves throughout their set as they confidently delivered their original material including Tundra, Up In The Farms and Crop Duster, which the audience greatly enjoyed.
The second act up always has the thankless task of not only keeping the momentum flowing, but also – crucially – maintaining the audience’s attention.
However, The Reets from Carlisle did all that and more with their breezy indie-rock that had more than a shade of The Stone Roses to it – indeed, they covered one of their tracks This Is The One as well as originals like Falling, Keep Up With The News and their new single Tomorrow Comes Too Soon. Again, the audience showed their appreciation with cheerful applause.
At this point, Layla Nicol made the first of several appearances providing smooth acoustic relief with her take on rock classics by Guns n Roses, Metallica and AC/DC among others, making every song her own – this talented Workington lady will go on to headline many local music festivals.
“We’re gonna turn the age range up,” yelled Boney, lead singer of No Good Reason as they took to the stage. Well it’s safe to say that the Workington quintet also turned up the rock factor to breaking point, as Boney and his cohorts not so much provided meat and potatoes rock but a full Sunday lunch with all the trimmings as they belted out songs by AC/DC, Kiss, Black Sabbath and others to perfection, inspiring several members of the audience to get up and channel their own inner rock star on the dancefloor with nifty air guitar shredding and serious headbanging.
No Good Reason finished off their set by paying tribute to Prince with a heartfelt rendition of Purple Rain and they left the stage to a thunderous reception from the audience, which by this time had risen greatly.
Carlisle foursome The Conflux were in high spirits, having earlier watched United win promotion, and they treated the audience to a polished session which included covers by their inspirations – Queens Of The Stone Age, Kings Of Leon and Arctic Monkeys – as well as original material (She Keeps Me Going. All You Live For and Under The Dying Sun.
Lead singer Josh has more than a touch of Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner about him, and his mature vocals complimented the trinity of guitar fretwork & executed drumming. Do not be surprised to see The Conflux ultimately go places on a national level in due course.
The penultimate act was Somethin’ Brewin’ from Silloth, with their charismatic lead vocalist Zoe Glencross in full, undiluted flow as her lusty vocals dovetailed effortlessly with both guitars on overtime shredding & fiery drumming.
Covers of tracks by rock legends including Queen, The Darkness and Guns n Roses among others got the dancefloor heaving once more and the group also premiered their original single Rebel With A Cause from their debut album Special Brew – recorded at the legendary Music Farm Studio in Egremont.
After over six long hours in the sunshine, nobody was going home just yet and so it was left to Ego Trip from Whitehaven to finish off a magnificent day with their signature grunge-rock as the laidback William Crellin yielded warm vocals that flicked effortlessly from smooth to heartfelt to growling.
If the microphone was an ice-cream, William would have devoured it in one munch as he powered through the songs including Rage Against The Machine’s Killing In The Name and original tracks Stone Cold, Born To Bleed (written two days before) and Untouched Land (written barely 24 hours previously).
Clearly, William is a very creative young man and his way with words allied to his cheeky stage persona are going to take Ego Trip on a long journey to success.
The audience made their votes as to which band would take the spoils before going home, fully satisfied at what was a fabulous afternoon of top quality local music.
In the event, it was the seasoned rockers of No Good Reason that won the audience’s eyes and ears, but everyone present unanimously agreed that Cumbrian talent and live music were together the definitive champions at Derwent Park.
Workington businessman Adrian Sharp deserves praise and credit for organising the event as do Workington Town for their impeccable staging – above all, the good natured atmosphere ensured that the day passed without any notable incident.
Battle Of The Bands was the perfect advertisement for quality Cumbrian talent, which is in a very good place indeed and No Good Reason’s lead singer Boney spoke for everybody when he called for the event to be made annually.
Hopefully, this comes true and Derwent Park is packed again for more great local bands to shine in May 2024.
The battle was won by No Good Reason when the audience’s votes were counted at the end of the day.
