Well, that was some start to the launch of the Shiiine weekender event scheduled for 6-9 November at Minehead Butlins!

The pre – party gathering took place at Weekend Offender, who spioa London fashion outlet on D’Arblay Street W1. An interesting mix of folk, where North met South with a dash of Americans thrown in for good measure. DJ Dave Booth of Spike Island and Hacienda fame kicked it all off with his own unique blend of indie mixed vibes, whilst those in attendance made small talk and renewed old acquaintances.

A cameo set from Keith Mullin of The Farm was well received, a mix of indie, classic R ‘n’ B and other familiar ditties (I’m sure I heard ‘Groovin’ with Mr Bloe ‘ in there somewhere whilst putting the world to rights and watching the London evening gather pace…).

Eventually, those present made tracks  to the SCALA theatre for the main event. Two stages providing an interesting mix of sounds and talent.

Interesting to see the rich and famous in attendance (well, Peter Crouch and Abby Clancy, the latter only days away from giving birth! Congratulations and best wishes for a perfect delivery!) Apparently, they were here to see ‘Judas’, but with our arrival delayed, we missed them!

The Winachi Tribe came first for me. Urban indie, with heavy bass-lines and rapid fire percussion. Definitely a band to watch out for on my travels.

The Spitting Pips were next. A band, in my opinion, who seemed confused about both sound and direction. Early Stone Roses, segued into Oasis but even the wall of sound created by three guitars, came across with mixed messages and a set that descended into a jumble of noise with few positives.

The mood was lifted by the timely arrival of The Frank and Walters. Whenever I see them, it’s like meeting up with an old school friend. Quirky, lively with a unique sound and vocals, tonight they took the stage, uniformly dressed in vivid red shirts and black ties, straight off the cover of a well known Kraftwerk album.

This is toytown music at its very best, ‘music for the summer’ was an apt description by a member of the audience. I wouldn’t argue with that, especially with the summer just around the corner (hopefully), and festival season fast approaching.

Northside came next on the main stage. Fellow Mancunions who have experienced a stop – start career since forming in the suburbs of Manchester back in 1989.

Their set was professional after over 25 years together. This is band who know who they are and rarely fail to deliver. It has been over 20 years since I last saw them  but they made up for lost time with a slick selection of favourites from their Factory record label releases. ‘Take a trip’ ( best known as a theme from a soccer show on TV), ‘My Rising Star’ and the fabulous ‘Take 5’ were interspersed with the lesser known material, this was a real trip down memory lane and an excellent precursor for Stereo MC’s.

During the interval Dave Booth was back at the controls again producing a magical mix in his inimitable fashion, ‘Fools Gold’, ‘Hallelujah’/’Step On’, ‘Unbelievable’, ‘Can You Dig It’, ‘Hit the North’ to name but a few. The growing crowd lapped it up and the stage was, literally, set to welcome the headliners

Now I’m going to hold my hands up here and admit that I haven’t previously seen Stereo MC’s because they aren’t really my kind of music. But they were brilliant. The stage set, complete with animated backdrop, ultraviolet light and Day-Glo attire adding ambiance to the bass – beat rhythm combined with Hallam’s sharp vocals and heavenly backing vocals. This band are the finished product. A well balanced set lifting and involving the crowd, controlling the tempo and leaving everybody demanding more and getting two climactic encores. All the classics were in there, ‘Fade Away’,  ‘Pressure’, ‘Connected’,  and a reworked ‘Step It Up’.  A great end to an excellent day.

So that’s whetted the appetite for the main event later this year. Will you be there?

Words: Mark Eastwood
Pictures: Lawrence Taylor