Newcomer steals the show

Words: Dave Whiteman, Pictures: Laurence Gale

Wow, what a week it has been. High drama at Wimbledon, The Stones headlining the biggest festival in the land, and the enormous success of our own Newfest. The first Glastonbury was held the day after Jimi Hendrix died in 1970. The line-up included TRex and The Amazing Blondel and tickets cost just £1, including free milk from the farm. How things have changed with admission now over £200!

The Newfest then, would seem to be extremely good value a t£10 for around a dozen live acts. Who were the favourites? Well, so many to choose from, but Quo Motion sent everyone home with Status Quo anthems ringing in their ears, M.A.D.I.S.O.N. were excellent, as usual, but for me the most enjoyable was a three piece band whose collective age is less than my actual age! Blue Tuesdays have played down at the Navy a few times and I am always amazed at their ability to make songs that were written before they were born appear to sound so fresh.

He was very busy on Saturday at the Newfest and first on stage tonight, Laurence Gale put down his trusty camera and entertained us with songs from The Beatles, Lindisfarne and Harry Chapin, before our first newcomer of the evening, Mel Christie from Stone. We seem to be getting a number of acts from further afield these days, and Mel’s strong vocals powered through a couple of Clapton classics, before finishing with ‘Please Don’t let me be Misunderstood’ by The Animals.

Nathan Davies shared his spot this evening with a friend of his, Jobe Spencer who was singing for the first time. After Nathan had entertained with a self-penned ‘I Remembered’ and a great protest song, ‘I Wonder Why’ written by his late father Martyn, a shy Jobe took to the stage to give a great rendition of High Hopes by Irish band, Kadoline.

Vinyl Tap are always guaranteed to entertain and they raised the roof tonight with a quite brilliant set…even with a stand in guitarist and drummer. ‘A Town Called Malice’ set the scene followed by a song they have made their own, ‘Walking in Memphis’ but it was the last song, a very ambitious Queen number that won over the 70 or so crowd. ‘I Want to Break Free’ is perfect song for Alex’s strong vocal and it deservedly received a great reception.

Mellissa Walford has been very busy with exams, so we haven’t seen her in a while, but you would never know from her performance. She has always had a fabulous voice, but she seems to have found a much nicer tone on her guitar which has given her a better all round sound, self-penned ‘Behind Those Eyes’ the highlight.

It is really nice when a first timer gets on the stage and within seconds of starting, the crowd has gone silent. Zac Christie from Sedgley, was the star of the evening with first ‘English Rose’ by Paul Weller, and then my personal Beatles favourite, ‘Blackbird’. Aged just sixteen and playing only his second gig in front of a live audience, it is true to say that you could hear the proverbial pin drop….don’t leave it too long before you come back Zak.

Sammy Brizuela had the very difficult job of following on, but an emotional version of ‘Hallelujah’ soon had the crowd in her pocket. The best ballad ever released by a heavy rock band, Aerosmith’s ‘Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing’ was perfect choice next, and an acoustic ‘Poker Face’ by Lady Ga Ga finished a great set.

I have been bemoaning the fact that we have not had many bands over the last few weeks, so it was nice to welcome, Coal Train to the stage, a five piece blues/rock band. Crowd pleasers ‘Get it On’ and ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ had the enthusiastic crowd joining in, but my choice was a very early Peter Green number from Fleetwood Mac ‘Long Grey Mare’

Just time for Open Mic regular Darcy Crawford to send the crowd home happy with a very clever looped ‘Wayfarin Stranger’ by Ed Sheeran and a couple of belters from Paulo Nutini and U2 ringing in their head.

Well what a brilliant evening! Around ten acts and all for the cost of the Glastonbury admission from 33 years ago…what fantastic value. Same time next week and every week, 8pm at the Royal Naval Association, Bellman’s Yard, Newport. Have a look in the Market Hall tomorrow (Sat) A number of acts from the Open Mic are playing between 12 noon and around 2pm Keep it live!
 






Dave