Main Stage
The Main Stage at the BVF 09 is once again the setting for our evening headline acts as well as for a number of other performances during the day. The Main Stage opens at 1.00 each day and finishes at 10.30pm on Saturday, and 8.30pm on Sunday.
Line – up
Saturday 30th May 09
1pm - Gecko
3pm - The Clive Palmer Band
5pm - The King Blues
7pm - Zion Train
9pm - The Blockheads
Sunday 31st May 09
1pm Kausary
3pm Zambula
5pm Macka B
7pm Horace Andy with Dub Asante
The Blockheads
Truly right up there on the original punk legends list and currently enjoying over 30 years at the top of their game with a new album and tour to match. Those of us who recall the heady days of What A Waste, Reasons to be Cheerful, part 3, Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll and their all time classic number one Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick, which went to the top of the charts 30 years ago, will be enthralled by The Blockheads set, which is rammed full of all their best know hits including material from their debut album New Boots and Panties. And those who have yet to be introduced to The Blockheads unique party sound will be entertained to the max by this tip top bunch of premier musicians with a back catalogue of hits to match. Even the absence of the much loved and sorely missed Ian Dury (who died back in 2000) is filled without hardly missing a beat by the one man who probably knew Ian better than anyone, his minder for 15 years, Derek ‘The Draw’ whose singing voice is uncannily similar to Ian’s and includes that deep gravelly East London/Essex accent that is so much a part of the original lineup.With their new album ‘Staring Down The Barrel’ out now, The Blockheads continue to thrill and inspire wherever they play, and having seen them meself at the Hammy Odeon back in 1979 I can assure you we are all in for a massive treat. Gets yer skates on kids, its party time!! www.theblockheads.com
Horace Andy + Dub Asante
Horace Andy has been singing since the 70’s and is a genuine reggae legend straight outta Kingston Jamaica and with a CV to stun, such are the outstanding performers he has recorded with over the years. Probably best known in Bristol for his work on all he Massive Attack albums since Blue Lines graced all our lives back in 1990, with the tunes One Love and Hymn of The Big Wheel both taking prime position in the history of Bristol’s best loved musical triumphs. Horace takes the stage with his full band Dub Asante who are guaranteed to rock the harbourside in true roots style with a full house to match!
Zion Train
Firm festival faves from over the years, guarenteed to rock the house staurday at 7pm with their dub reggae dance style, just absoluelty spot on perfect for the occasion.
Macka B
Macka B is the dream team partner for Horace Andy in a strike force that has shades of Fellaini and Cahill about them – genuinely outstanding and a treat for all reggae lovers as well as easy listening fun seekers and party dwellers of all ages. Macka B is known as The Teacher and has been playing out live since the early 80’s across the UK and beyond to the 4 corners of the universe where he is acknowledged for his outstanding performances both live and on recordings. With a string of albums and an enormous back catalogue to his name, his recently penned vegan masterpiece ‘Wha Me Eat’ is the latest to inspire, entertain and thrill across the board. Macka B headlined the St Pauls Carnival in Bristol last year and makes a welcome return to our pastures for another barnstorming set of rare reggae grooveswww.mackab.com
The King Blues
One of the UK’s hottest up and coming bands, already established amongst those in the know and soon to be mainstream with their folk punk political classics including not only massive sing along crowd fave anthems like ‘Lets Hang The Landlord (from the top of the stairs)’ and ‘Save the World, Get the Girl’ but also the pure poetic genius delivery of ‘5 Bottles of Shampoo’ (which is quite amazing) and the awe – inspiring ‘What if Punk Never Happened’ which sees latest yoof icon Johhny Fox tear it up big dog style with some of the best punk lyrics this side of Ian Dury himself. Expect big tings and an even bigger crowd for this band of true street heroes with a sound to match www.kingblues.com
The Clive Palmer Band
Clive Palmer was the co founder of The Incredible String Band way back in the 60’s and here he brings his collection of super talented and experienced musicians to recreate some of the experimental sounds of that era into an afternoon Main Stage appearance that will thrill anyone over 50 who remembers this hugely influential original festival outfit, as well as all their kids who have been brought up on the Incredible String Bands music! Recent sell out crowds in London and Manchester have seen a mix of all ages gather at the alter of Clive as he and his band bring a special touch of festival magic to the BVF – afterall, the Incredible String Band even played that legendary mother of all festivals, Woodstock!
Gecko
Outstanding up and coming talent opening The Main Stage at 1pm on Saturday – described on his Myspace page as acoustic/experimental/hiphop and a truly excellent sound with it, just right for the lunchtime slot. Easy on the ears and yet seductive and hard to put down, Gecko’s talents come to life in a stunning combination of laid back tunes and clever rhymes which resound with real life experience instead of imagined ridiculous dream worlds which don’t exist except in the minds of those who made them. Really looking forward to this one, and The BVF is proud to see some local up and coming talent share the stage with such established and successful acts. What a mix.www.myspace.com/gecko
Zambula
ZAMBULA were originally formed as a ten piece in West Cornwall in the 1980's when Ugandan singer and percussionist Tito teamed up with the Israeli singer Wendy Herman and conga player Demelza Val Baker. From the start this was an exciting dance band that soon got their audiences dancing to original material written by Tito and Wendy. Starting off by playing private parties, the band soon progressed to becoming one of the South West’s biggest drawing bands, playing all the main venues throughout Devon and Cornwall. They became regulars at the regions main festivals such as St Ives, Hood Fayre, Elephant Fayre and have been a permanent fixture at Glastonbury for over two decades. www.zambula.co.uk
Kausary
South American Peruvian Pitch Pipe band with an authentic tone and traditional costume opens the BVF Main Stage on sunday in style with their haunting and evocative traditional Peruvian pipe music - awesome.
