Band Reviews – Buckingham Band Jam 2019
In August 2019 we enjoyed another fantastic day of music and entertainment at Buckingham Band Jams “Big Bash” in the town centre, providing stage hire bedford We arrived early to set up the stage, as we knew from previous years that the surface was very uneven and would require plenty of levelling. We were greeted on site by Lee Maloney from the New Inn Buckingham, Local hero Trigger and some council staff that had come to help. Mains power was provided from 2 separate 32 Amp sources giving us plenty of power to run our large 12k PA rig, all of the lights and whatever other equipment the bands would bring. We powered the inflatable dome cover with our own separate generator to ensure that if anything were to trip on stage then the cover would stay inflated.
Within 2 hours, the stage was up the sun was blazing, people had gathered round to watch and the bands had started to arrive. The stage had full light rig, PA and a 3 foot high platform with drum riser, and included drum kit for the bands to share.
MALARKY
We were treated first of all in typical Band Jam style, to a band that had been made up by local talent including the event organiser Lee Maloney and well know local guitarist Ian Murray. The band advised before they played that they had never rehearsed!! This was by the by as once the band were miced up and rocking, we were treated to many classics including a fantastic version of Dire Straits Sultans Of Swing, these guys most definitely knew how to play and if you didn’t know you would be tricked into thinking they had been playing together years! By the end of their set the event had started in full flow, the public had gathered around to listen and we were treated to trigger dancing round with the audience dressed in a tutu and umbrella hat!
60s JUKE BOX
Next up were 60s Juke Box, a band put together in the not to distant past featuring a collaboration of Buckingham all stars, including Steven Price and Mike Moyes. 60S Juke Box were dressed to impress and didn’t disappoint, and as the name suggests we were treated with many classics from around the 60s era including some punchy Numbers from the Beatles. With a selection of lead vocals to listen to and harmonies, some air tight drumming, and the glistening chorus tones of Steve’s latest axe, the band got the crowd going and by the end of their set Buckingham’s Big Bash was well under way.
THE REFORMERS
Arriving in matching leopard skin suits and red shirts to the backing music of “what’s new pussycat” The Reformers sure knew how to rock! Playing a variety of their own renditions of classic rock songs merged into others the crowd went wild. These guys were loud! Having known Ronnie for many years it was a pleasure to see him play at last, and his guitar rig sounded incredible! A highly recommended entertaining band for any event.
WAH WAH CLUB
When I saw these guys were due on stage, I was very excited as it had been a long time since I heard Dan Buckland play, and I knew we were in for a treat. They didn’t disappoint! They looked good, sounded fantastic and the crowd loved them. Playing original songs that can be described as 90s Seattle grunge rock, with a modern day twist. Its not often that a band can get a crowd going with original songs that people are hearing for the first time, but Wah Wah Club did just that which has always been the case when Dan is involved. We even got treated to a brief section of Breath by the prodigy thrown in for good measure. The bass players vocals were also great and the drummer was fantastic, leaving behind just fragments of a drum kit to clear up at the end.
HARVEY FOWLER
Once everyone was able to hear again, Harvey arrived on stage and treated us to a fantastic set of mostly original songs on acoustic guitar and vocals. Harvey kept the crowd engaged throughout and even had the whole audience divided into 2 singing back to him at one point. Fantastic vocals and great finger-style guitar made this an amazing set and a great addition to an otherwise all bands occasion.
REAGEAR
Arriving all the way from the US REAGEAR arrived to entertain us on main stage with their fantastic set of pop covers. Just the sort of act you would find on a cruise ship or holiday resort they didn’t disappoint and had the crowd eating out of theirs hands. With male and female vocals both were absolutely exceptional! A highlight for me was their great rendition of bohemian rhapsody which had everyone in awe, one of those moments running the sound that make me love what I do.
KRISSY MATTHEWS
Just wow! I think is the only way to describe this guy prodigious guitar and amazing vocals make this act one you should not miss. Paul Gilbert meets Chuck Berry would be an accurate description. Soulful blues chords with funk riffs and some rock chucked in. Non stop amazing solos, and song structures that can only have taken months and months of rehearsing to put together. Accompanied by a fantastic band who were all solid as a rock, following every change of direction that Krissy had to offer, This band are definitely one you should not miss if you have the chance to see them, and I hope to see more of them in the future.
2 TONE AND THE ALL STARS
I remember the days of dancing round the Woolpack to baggy trousers 20 years ago! and its a fact that Buckingham has a real love for 2 tone and ska music. 2 Tone and the all stars delivered just what everyone needed towards the end of the night, the sun had gone down, the stage lights were up, people had had a few drinks and the town was rammed right down the high street. The lead singer arrived in an orange jump suit, backed with full band including sax and Hammond organs, These guys certainly knew how to get a crowd going. Hundreds of people danced up and down the high street the entire set, The singer was entertaining and funny and a great front man. A highlight of the whole event was hearing the whole of Buckingham sing back the chorus to “it must be love. Amazing band and not to be missed.
DIXIE AND CO
After a long wild day Dixie and co concluded the event perfectly, bringing a tight backing band with female vocals Dixie and co provided us with a perfect selection of modern and classic pop music. With great vocals also coming from the drummer were were treated to songs from Jess Glynn and even some Foo Fighters numbers thrown in. At the end of the set the crowd pleaded for more and Dixie and co were happy to oblige continuing to play for another half an hour. A perfect band for any event and would be fantastic at weddings, well done!
Strawberry Fieldz would like to thank all of the bands that played for your fantastic professional attitudes, arriving on time and making the day a great event that we are grateful to be a part of. A big thank you to Lee Maloney for organsing the event and getting all the bands together, if you haven’t been to the New Inn for a pint yet, get yourself down there!! and of course who can forget a big thank you to Trigger for being hilarious and entertaining all day and making band jam such a special occasion.
Adam And Sarah
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