02/09/2024
Following on from yesterday's post here's Wokingham Festival volunteer Juliet Hurwitt's review of Day 2 of the festival. Loads of great artists again many of which we've featured in our RaW Sounds.Today playlist and feature. We've highlighted those!
Wokingham Festival 2024 - Day 2 - 25/08/2024
A very quick round-up of day 2.
What a difference the rain makes, or to be more precise the lack of it. People arrived early. People visited the covered Wokingham Music Club Stage (WMC) because they wanted to see the bands, and not to shelter from the elements. I bet they were pleased they did with such high-quality acts as Noa who’s only 14 years old, Grace Pounds who’s only 19 years old, Caitlin Lavagna (with guitar accompaniment) a bubbly performer from Wales & Katie Mae with her heartfelt songs> They were the solo singer/songwriters on WMC stage today. I’m always in awe of artists who have the confidence to get up on stage to entertain us, but that’s especially impressive as a solo artist when all the focus is on them! Well done ladies.
There was also a good mixture of bands that included indie rock bands Bone Idle and TV Yellow, then a change of style with a pop and rock infusion from Sour Kix with a female lead singer. The final act was the always popular FLUTATIOUS, best described as flute playing, violin playing, Celtic rock infused with almost everything else.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see all the acts, but I did see that the tent was always full of people who created a wave of movement from the main Trademark Windows Stage (TMW) to WMC stage to watch the performers. Standing room only is always a good sign.
The Trademark Windows Stage (TMW) had a wide variety of acts on today. Hosted by Andy Rowe the first introduction of the day was for Katie Ellwood Music who was returning with a four-piece band and performed her own storytelling songs. Next on were today's first of the covers bands Fleece Lined that started the audience dancing, including Mums, Dads, kids and everyone in-between. The Ariston were an obviously popular band with many fans there to see them. These four musicians brought a heavier sound to the day, and there were some great songs with catchy riffs. I’m sure their following increased after their brilliant performance. Next on was West Street who have only been performing since 2022 but performed as if they’d been together much longer. They were confident musicians, with a very charismatic lead singer who interacted with the audience as if it was second nature. They played a mixture of original material with a few covers thrown in. Then for a classic heavy rock sound with THE COLD BLOODED HEARTS, a four-piece band of experienced musicians who’ve been playing together for nearly ten years, and now joined by young Giselle Isabelle on keyboards. Excellent original songs, which would have pleased any rock fans, of which there were quite a few of in the audience. The Country Chicks UK brought a whole different genre to the day and got the audience stomping along with their metaphoric cowboy boots on to classic country covers. Good fun was had by all. The Cover Up did what the name suggests and played a set full of 80’s hits that were loved by the audience as most of them were still dancing. The headline act for tonight couldn’t get more local than Wokingham based Rila's Edge a five-piece band, playing original material. They’ve been working hard getting their name and music known, which is paying off as there were many of Rila’s Edge t-shirts being worn, and a large crowd still watching. People like me who had heard of them but was seeing and hearing them for the first time. I’m sure everyone was as impressed as I was and look forward to seeing them again.
Days 2 was a much fun as expected, and day 3 is going to be just as good with a more progressive rock theme.
Photo : Alfie from Rilas' Edge by Kirsty Edwards
