My (Personal) Retrofest review Sunday

This review is totally my own and is intended for information only.

My reviews are obviously biased and based upon my opinions. I've already 
spoken to a couple of people who have disagreed with my views, but hey, 
everyone's different and entitled to their own opinions.

The Slippery Stage (Talent winner) Anna Meldrum came on and there was a 
problem with leads and the guitar couldn't be heard. Whilst it was being 
sorted she got the crowd to sing Baa Baa Black Sheep. She was very pretty. 
Appeared to be very confident and sang a song called "Pin The Tail On The 
Donkey". I felt that the song repeated itself too much, but she sang well 
and I was disappointed when that was it. I thought she was going to do more. 
I would have liked to have heard more. I think that she is one to watch in 
the future. Reminded me a little (vocally) of Edie Brickell.

Kid Creole & The Coconuts - Eddie Bongo came on to introduce the band. He 
looks like Cee Lo Green from Gnarls Barkley. It was his birthday and it 
marked the fact that he had been with the group for 25 years. The group 
looked and sounded sensational (can I use that word? sounds a bit like Tony 
Blackburn!). As long as they performed Stool Pigeon I was going to be happy. 
For early afternoon the crowd were very responsive and they and I enjoyed 
the set. Plus Mikey Craig (from Culture Club) was on bass.

The Beat - Not as good as they used to be. I was bored by the performance. 
Quite a few Ska heads in the crowd though. Crowd as a whole seemed to enjoy.

Cutting Crew- I didn't watch. My back was aching from standing for 2 days. 
So I went off to the Slippery Stage (Review at end)

Four Good Men - I was still at the slippery stage

Nick Heyward - He was smiling and enjoying himself. The crowd seemed to like 
him. Nick Beggs was there again joking with the female singer (far too 
giggly!). For me there was no spark. It wasn't good. It wasn't bad. It was 
OK.

Hazel O'Connor - I thought this was terrible. She looked awful and the sound 
was awful. You could see and hear people trying to sing along, but it was 
all a bit of a mess.

Curiosity Killed The Cat - Dated very badly. I didn't enjoy this at all. Ben 
just wouldn't shut up. Maybe if he'd just sung the hits and shut up, I might 
have enjoyed it more. The crowd seemed to think it was alright.

Hue & Cry - Along with Tony Hadley. I'd say that this was one of the best 
performances of the weekend. Pat's voice is outstanding. Again, as long as 
they did "Violently", I was going to be happy. These guys can carry on 
forever. Pats voice is as strong as it ever was and Greg's keyboards were 
faultless. I loved this performance. The crowd enjoyed it too.

Kim Wilde - To tell you the truth. This is why I bought my Reftrofest 
ticket. I have been in love with Kim Wilde forever. I think she could have 
sung awfully and I wouldn't have minded. She looked sensational and sounded 
superb. I'm still in love with her (And Joanne from The Human League). And I 
was pogoing to every song .... even four letter word. Nick Beggs was there 
AGAIN. I thought tat he looked like Martin Gore from Depeche Mode and when 
Kim referred to him as the band's personal Jesus I assume that he must be 
aware of this. Plus they did a blinding cover of Depeche's "Enjoy The 
Silence". I think that Kim should have headlined instead of Belinda

Belinda Carlisle - I only saw 2 songs as I had to go and get my taxi. What I 
saw was OK though. The crowd were still up from Kim's set, so everyone 
seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Slippery Stage - I saw a number of acts over the 2 days (approx 6 but not 
including the winner who I saw on the main stage and reviewed earlier) and I 
only thought that one of them was any good. Sure they were proficient, but 
not outstanding.
The one act I did enjoy was Adriana. She was a great looking girl (in a KT 
Tunstall kind of way), she had a great figure and sounded a little like Joni 
Mitchell. I enjoyed her first song. I didn't really like the 2nd song it was 
too similar to the first. But I enjoyed the other songs. Again I think she 
is one to watch for in the future.

Overall, I enjoyed Retrofest and I think it will improve year upon year. I'm 
a POP fan at heart which is why my Highlights were Kim Wilde, The Human 
League, Kajagoogoo and Kid Creole. I will await the line up for next years 
show with great eagerness.

I invite you to post your thoughts or reviews to the NG or me directly. But 
I would advise that I will not read them if any swearing is involved.

Thank you.

Leon (AKA Quagga!)

date: Mon, 03 Sep 2007 13:42:42 GMT author: Quagga.R.T.M