02 June 2015 (gig)
02 June 2015
The sleepy town situated on the east shore of Belfast Lough has little to commend it at first glance. However only a little gentle digging will unearth Holywood as the home of world number one golfer Rory McIlroy and movie star Jamie Dornan of Fifty Shades fame.
Now it can boast another claim to fame as the home of the Holywood Blues and Jazz Festival.
It is a revival of an old festival that fell by the wayside a decade or so ago. And while the orginal version pandered more to the tastes of the trad jazz fan, last weekend's revival threw open the doors to a much more eclectic musical vibe.
Nowhere was this better highlighted than by the inspired booking of Brixton collective Alabama 3.
This band of hard drinking, far-travelling troubadors peddling a toxic soup of southern swampland and dirty delta blues was a banker bet to pull in a crowd – and so it proved.
The venue was a marquee adjacent to a rugby field – not exactly a sweltering Mississippi shed or even a Hackney warehouse – but the incessant rain did add a touch of Southern Comfort discomfit.
This was the acoustic and unplugged version of the group comprising Larry Love and Aurora Dawn on vocals, Harpo Strangelove on harmonica and Rock Freebase on guitar. They knew why they were there and immediately launched into their most famous tune Woke up This Morning and had the crowd on their side from the getgo.
The Sopranos song was quickly followed up with Hello... I'm Johnny Cash then a tour through a familiar back catalogue until signing off with the singalong U Don't Dans 2 Tekno Anymore.
It was a great highlight to the revitalised festival – and a big vote of thanks should go to organisers Mari (no mean singer herself) and her demon barber husband Garry.
They must have arranged for fifty bands to play in 15 venues over the three days, showcasing local talent as well as more established acts from further afield. A magnificent achievement and I look forward to next year.
