Quick Review: The Middle Earth Beer Festival 2013

The fabulous George Borowski live at the Middle Earth Beer Fest

 Full on weekend of music, beer and hobbits at Hurst Green with a craft marquee, a man carving Gandalf out of tree trunks, blue skies and Sweeney Astray playing a full band set in a crowded beer hall full of friends and general drinking punters. Had a great time drinking beer, sound engineering, wandering about playing host telling ridiculous stories and banging out songs on stage. Got to listen to my own favourite acts since I booked them. And a special place in the heart goes out to George Borowski and his fabulous band. Who else would've had a group of 20-somethings sat cross-legged singing "My Old Man's A Dust Man" inbetween full on rock and roll. What a great stage presence and a fab smile. Plus we loved the rainbow jumper.

Thursday night opening saw The Remedy supporting The Acoustic Gathering (with Jerry "fender bender" Donahue on guitar, pictured left). Performances by the Swing Commanders on the Friday April 5th. George Borowksi played with his band the Fabulous Wonderfuls on the Saturday. The Acoustic Afternoonson Saturday and Sunday in the Beer hall were organised Mike Kneafsey. Photos by Rebecca Ann Wilmer.

Soloing on the Gretsch is a dream come true for me. You can't beat the sensation of following the way you feel at the time with a different set of notes every time. And on stage.

 Discovered my sound desk is tired and misses a few channels which involved some serious tinkering at times (thanks to Elliott Dryden's swift interventions and Anna Ashworth's patience). it's done well to keep going since 1997 but the PAs looking battered. Playing Like There's No Tomorrow and drinking cider for breakfast made a weekend to remember or forget for some who woke on Sunday morning. Sometimes it was packed and it was always friendly. All in all what's honestly known as a success.

The Remedy will be playing at the Songwriters Live event in Great Harwood on April 20th

  Looking forward to the next music event. Songwriters Live at Townsends Records on National Vinyl Day Saturday April 20th in Great Harwood. Performances at the back of the shop, queues out the door and Gren Bartley's fingerpicking countryfolk blues as well as more sets from Susie Jones Band and Sweeney Astray stripped down, plus The Remedy (see the photograph above: Hannah Spurgeon (vocals/guitar)and Elliott Dryden (bass)

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George Borowski and his contagious smile.

The Acoustic Gathering, Hurst Green Village Hall Lancashire. The Middle Earth Beer Festival. |Thursday April 4th.

Thanks to all the performers at the Beer Fest: The Remedy, The Acoustic Gathering, Baxter Rhodes, Brett Hamer, The Ragamuffins, Seamus McLoughlin, Tom Metcalfe, The Remedy, Sweeney Astray, the Susie Jones Band, The 3 Musikateers, George Borowski and the Fabulous Wonderfuls, A Band Called Jack, Beat based Conserve, Gary Binks and Jeremy Lamburn, The Mirrortones, Steven Johnston and Jordan Ferguson  (in no particular order). Thanks to all who came and enjoyed themselves.

Mike Kneafsey