Rock Regeneration

Jul21

Grooves On The Green – Day Two

on July 21st, 2019 at 20:24

Ashley Cross, Poole

Featuring: Sunday: DD Allen, Mother Ukers, Emma Hardy Band, Barefoot Soul, Marble Tides & Tim Somerfield

(For day 1 click here)

After some heavy overnight rain, the skies look grey and dull with umbrellas possibly needed rather than sunscreen. However, as opening artist, Tim Somerfield takes to the stage the grey clouds make way for blue skies. Tim is one of the hardest working musicians on the Dorset music scene, putting in well over 100 gigs a year. As well as playing gigs as a “Human Jukebox”, Tim loves to write his own original material. With just an acoustic guitar and a loop pedal he creates lots of beautifully layered sounds. These are put to his original songs including “Son of Zeus” and a new song called “Winter is Coming”, inspired by TV series Game of Thrones. His set ends with his new single “Colourblind” which is a typical slice of Somerfield’s powerful magic with his passionate vocals and skilful musicianship.

Tim Somerfield 1

Marble Tides are fast becoming one of the best live bands in the South. They have hard-hitting songs that have huge guitar melodies and deep-rooted lyrics about subjects that are relevant. They have a frontman who is not afraid to speak his mind, who delivers a powerful vocal coupled with plenty of Rock Star persona. To be honest these guys should be higher up the bill, though let’s not get ahead of ourselves as they are still only a relatively new band. The crowd are treated to a plethora of great tunes including singles “Cigarette” and “Hirath” along with a newer tune called “Pariah” where the two guitars work beautifully together. Frontman Brandon jumps down off the stage and gives a well-rehearsed speech about equality and gets plenty of positive support for his well-chosen words. The band end with “Another Dreams Dies” and show that they have plenty of potential to take this band up to the next level.

Marble Tides 1–2–3–4

Next Up is Barefoot Soul a band who recently put in a fantastic performance at the local music showcase at the Lighthouse, (Poole Live & Unheard) and played under difficult circumstances. Today the five guys seem to be much more relaxed and start with the very song they ended with that night, Stevie Wonder’s “Superstitious”, a tune that is instantly recognisable and immediately gets people up dancing. Their mix of acoustic and electric guitars, coupled with spot-on rhythms with a dash of harmonica is just perfect for a sunny afternoon. Today these guys are really having fun giving the audience some really well-delivered covers including the Busted number “Year 3000”, as well as Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” and The Zutons “Valerie”. These are infused with a few originals comprising of the thoroughly addictive “Butterfly” and an emotional personal favourite of the lead singer Jim Bryant called “Grey & Old”. They leave the stage after a great 40 minute set getting plenty of applause from the well-entertained audience.

Barefoot Soul 1–2–3–4–5–6

Emma Hardy is a hardworking musician who performs many gigs throughout the year in a variety of guises: solo, duo and today she is part of a three-piece band along with just guitarist and a bass player. Together they really step things up on this main stage with a selection of well-chosen covers that the crowd instantly all recognise. The band cleverly rework these songs to deliver them in their own style. They include “Tainted Love”, “I Will Survive”, Britney’s “Hit Me Baby One More Time” and a crowd-pleasing version of Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”.

Emma Hardy Band 1–2–3

The penultimate band of the evening are a trio that has legendary status in this county and beyond. They invented “Ukular Fusion”, the ability to travel through time using just three ukuleles and their voices. Jonty Jonson, Luap Rekcut and Barnaby Wild (better known as Mother Ukers) take us on a delightful journey through the 80’s, 90’s and Noughties with a selection of beautifully reworked covers that get people off their chairs and picnic blankets. The band power through their set like a Wurlitzer Jukebox; spitting out tunes like The Cure’s “Love Cats”, Prince’s “Purple Rain” and The Prodigy’s “Firestarter”. The front of the stage soon becomes crowded full of dancing bodies, mesmerised by what this trio has to offer. The band even have the audacity to step up the pace with a euphoric final two numbers which include “Can’t Take My Eyes off You” and “Delilah”, which gets everyone singing so loudly that sun worshippers on Bournemouth beach can hear. They leave the stage with the audience almost begging for more, but sadly there is no time and the boys slip into their time machine disappearing back from where they came.

Mother Ukers 1–2–3–4

Today’s headliner DD Allen is a chap that along with his band has been working hard over the past few years, searching for his ideal sound. This year with the release of their two new singles they seem to have found just what they were looking for. As they take to the stage, they almost seem like a new band that is totally refreshed and unshackled. After playing a few large shows recently in Holland supporting Vintage Trouble, the band seem more than ready to take on Grooves on The Green. Kicking off with “Mr. Nice” Drew and Christian’s guitars combine brilliantly with Joe’s well-delivered keys. It is not easy being a headline band here playing original material, but with skill and determination the band start to get the crowd on their side. The new songs the infectious “Just A Little More” and the Springsteen-esque “Bad Love” sound just as good live as the original records. They are played with renewed vigour and enthusiasm from a band who have finally found their direction.

DD Allen 1–2–3–4–5–6–7

Grooves on the Green after a year off returns back to its rightful place in the music calendar and the people clearly voted it a success. A much-needed showcase for local music and a great event for the community in general and long may it continue.

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