After the stupendous day at KK’s, for Day 2 of the Mayors Fest, it was an early start for the last of the shenanigans at the Giffard, rounding off the weekend. Acoustic sets downstairs in the bar and six bands appearing upstairs in the main room, it all kicked off around midday. I sat in the bar for the first of the acoustic sets from HAL and Connor Emms, so relaxed chatting to friends on a Sunday lunchtime, until I tried to pay for the car park on my phone, I gave up in the end ! 

THE GINGERS were nearly over by the time I’d made my way upstairs, but the Londoners were a superb choice for a more laid back afternoon. I’ve been listening to them today and watched some footage of ’Soho’ and ‘Aileen’ from a recent gig, they’ve been added to my ‘must see’ list as I’m gutted I missed most of the set. SHACKLED  go back to 2010 and are Derbyshire based. A setlist mainly from the ‘Lost Heroes’ album of 2020, (which is available on their Bandcamp ), displayed this band’s immense bluesy/rock grittiness. Frontman Elliott Henderson and his men played ‘Fight The Power’ and ‘Heavenly’ to us and I for one was taken by the unique rawness. ‘Tears Of A Madman’ an older track from the self titled 2014 LP, dived into deeper murky waters, a crawler of a piece with super strings by Tom Saint. I didn’t think Elliott could muster any increase in his husky vocals, but ‘Burn’ was a throbbing stormer of a number. I watched Tyler Henderson on drums, throwing his sticks into the air and twirling them around like a professional juggler, amazing to see. ‘Dead By Dawn’ offered more groove rock and ‘Best Days’ opened up the chords for a more heavier vibe. The cover of the AC/DC classic ‘Let There Be Rock’ was given the Shackled edginess and the Giffard crowd loved it. Can’t wait to see them again.   

The Gingers

Shackled

Back down in the bar, Billy M Jack was delivering his thirty minutes of acoustic numbers. The Scottish performer was also as KK’s yesterday, seen on stage all weekend and watching every band, I think he had a great Mayors Fest. It’s 4.20pm already and time for MAD HAVEN  who have a new bassist. His name is Adam Haven aka Ad Haven, I didn’t believe it at first, ‘did you change your name by deed poll’ I asked him ?!!  Can’t believe how much these guys from Llandudno have matured over the last few years, Tom Rogowski on guitar and vocals with his bro Alex on drums, roll off tracks from the terrific ‘The Wait To Continue’ album, with faultless manoeuvres. Tom is so confident these days, conversing with his audience and during ‘Lair’ he gets us all shouting the back at him, to supplement the chorus. Feedback off the mic stand from Tom and Adam feeding his bass lines with dexterity, there’s so much to watch. Further highlights being ‘Run Away’, ‘Never Too Late’ and ‘Are You Ready?’ before they end on ‘Where Did You Go’. 

Billy M Jack

Tom Rogowski of Mad Haven

BLADE EDWARDS  did another acoustic show downstairs, check out this guy, his original work is so different. Meanwhile next up are THE HOT ONE TWO  a band fast becoming the ones to watch, I first saw them at ‘Just Push Play’ back in 2021, when they opened the festival and they’ve come on leaps and bounds since then. Their new single ‘The Fray’ was track of the week, at the start of the month on Planet Rock thanks to Wyatt Wendells. The five guys from Cambridge got together in 2017 and recently signed to TowerRok Band Management. They certainly know how to maintain your attention, rock and roll with awesome strutting and swagger and the facial contortions of rhythm guitarist Kev Baker amuse no end. A decent mix today from them, ‘Bleed On Me’ and ‘Demon Days’ get the party started and the audience are in full admiration for ‘Move and Shake’ before we hear ‘The Fray’. Simon West lifts us with his smooth and harmonious vocals , while lead guitarist Nick Manners provides extraordinary fret workings. Loved ’Tie Me Down’ and the last on the list ‘Playing With Fire’. Nick Blackburn on bass and drummer Joe Chivers complete this dynamic quintet.    

Kev Baker of The Hot One Two

 Nick Manners of The Hot One Two

JON JB BLAKEY  is usually seen on guitar with VOODOO SIOUX however for this years festival he performed a solo performance on the acoustic stage. After his stint in the bar we will see him again later. BLITZ  arrived early and it was nice to have a chat with them outside. I haven’t seen the guys since the last Breaking Bands festival, so it was good to catch up. After being together since 2015, the trio from Nottingham bring you a show that’s full on and has glued choreography. Imagine ‘Kiss’ with ‘Metallica’ and some ‘Queen’ sprinkled on top, that’s what you get from guitarist Kevin Simpson, vocalist and bassist Stuart Corden and Matt Davis on drums. They are soon dropping their 3rd studio album, so after a string of riffs and chants during ‘Damage Is Done’ , ‘Don’t Look Back’ and ‘Party Time’ we hear the new ‘Breakneck’ and ’Shell-Shocked’. They lead us into singing ‘Dayos’ and finally joining in for ‘I Believe’, where we see the BlitZ banner held up, stating ‘They Can’t take Our Rock N Roll’, a wonderful party atmosphere as always. 

BlitZ

Stuart Corden of BlitZ

HOT ROD 55  are a three piece from Shropshire, led by guitarist Jon JB Blakey, who I mentioned earlier. With double bass care of Pete Scoundrel and drummer Colin Smith, they transport us back to the 50’s for classic Rock and Roll. But they don’t mind interweaving some heavier rock covers like ‘Whole Lotta Rosie’ and ‘Ace Of Spades’, while also slipping in classic tracks like ‘Copperhead Road’ and ‘House of The Rising Sun’. It’s a different ending to the festival than most of us were expecting, but despite being a little weary, the Giffard crowd remained firm and enjoyed the set, right up to the finale with the ‘Motörhead’ cover. 

 Hot Rod 55

Pete Scoundrel Of Hot Rod 55

Photo Credits – Neil Jackson of Flaming Pint & Anthony Bellamy 

Feature Photo – The Hot One Two 

The end of the three day festival presented by Rockers Through The Ages and all proceeds going to charity. We have seen some amazing bands and solo performances, great idea to keep the music going with acoustic stages, which allowed us to see some artists for the first time and in more intimate surroundings.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the charities and bought auction items. Big thanks also to Doddy and Kathy White, Brett Hall, Pete K Mally, Greg Dean,The Giffard, Anthony Bellamy, Neil Jackson, Angels & Demons, Livewire, Body Art and everyone involved with The Annual Mayors Festival 2023.