Nothing like that in Platt Fields Park. Welcome to the Summer Of Grub, Glastonbury For Gourmets, a vainglorious, eventually glorious attempt to weld a regional food showcase to Manc music at its most uncompromisingly indie - in an outdoor festival.
And there was comedy, too, and family events, even Baby Loves Disco for the toddler that knows its house from its Elbow. And finally the sun came out big style.
The M.E.N.'s CityLife was proud to sponsor the event because music and food are going to be major planks of its amazing new website, citylife.co.uk.
That's one reason I was out in Fallowfield in thermal underwear at 10pm on a Saturday, singing along to Johnny Bramwell's "There's blood on your legs, I love you''.
Bramwell's revitalised I Am Kloot were simply magnificent as first-day headliners, his lyrical gift for stating the things others leave unsaid undiminished; his snarling, defiant vocals piercing the heart. Standout, among many contenders, was the tender Hey Little Bird, from current album Moolah Rouge.
In contrast, wry troubadour Stephen Fretwell, for all his polish, failed to engage me. Other main-stagers included Bonebox, Jay Taylor's country-inflected 10-piece, who climaxed a fine set with the brassy sonic avalanche of St Jay's Hospital, and George Borowski's bread 'n' butter rock with a slice of Manc life.
In truth, more fun was often to be had on the second stage. Alas, it was not quite far enough away across the Platt mudflats. Its acoustic performers were regularly drowned out by the main stage sound system. The distant racket of host Frank Sidebottom made Liz Green confess the Timperley one gives her nightmares. But then last year's Glastonbury unsigned hit is a performer who lives on the edge.
It was surreal to pass from her sublimely desolate skewed blues-folk set to the chef's demonstration's tent to watch Goosnargh chicken mogul Reg Johnson dismembering fowl.
Even more surreal was a troupe of ample belly-dancers shaking it all to Rock The Kasbah as a prelude to the jiveable acid-skiffle of the veteran Salford Sheiks, fronted by CP Lee.
The Smiths offered further downbeat pleasures - John and Aidan, that is. John's delicate finger-picking blues and Kelly Joe Phelps-eque vocals lured a substantial chunk of the 4,000 crowd over to hear, while the whimsical Aidan and his freakily-moustachioed band gave us songs about wall-less houses in Italian and living beyond the state's grasp on allotments.
Ultimately, though, this debut event - an offshoot of the Manchester Food And Drink Festival - was about more than the music. If I didn't join the queues for Mr Scruff's excellent teas, or succumb to fudge at the producers' stalls, I did get given a Channel M Frisbee. And, while I should have been happy with the mixed starter and pud plates from the Market Restaurant stall (the salmon rillettes were sublime), I couldn't resist TWO bargain bowls of Thai green chicken and prawn curry from Chaophraya's smiling girls.
And I'm still making my mind up whether Hornbeam brewery's Owd Peg was hoppier than Millstone's Three Shires...
Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
Not Impressed at all!
Took the Kids at 10am on Saturday Morning and by the time we left at half three I had not heard one piece of Live Music
Limited samples of food it was just a big promotional event for restraunts
A bit of a shambles really , we arrived about 6.30 pm on Saturday hoping to get something to eat before the evening bands started , most of the eating outlets were closed so we ended up with a gourmet burger which although delicious was a bit expensive at £4.00 served with gourmet relish from a dodgy looking silver tray .
Stephen Fretwell was good whilst he was on but why such a short set surely the boy form Hull has not gone big time on us ???
I am kloot were as the reviewer states magnificent and could have played all night for me .
Which begs the question why oh why were so many people talking and shouting to each other all the way through the set , it's a big field if you want to talk go to the middle away from the stage !!!!!
And finally Frank Sidebottom was an embarrassment to this City 20 years ago ,how do people keep employing him ...
All in all could have been good and I'm sure the organiser's will get it right over the years to come.
Rather than beach balls and fisbees maybe they could give out cattle prods to deal with the chatterers
shambles? you bet! Turned up with two small children mid afternoon Sunday. Massive stationary queue for tickets - didnt move for 20 minutes - no information from organisers, just a rumour that they'd run out of wrist bands.... that was long enough for the patience of my little ones... so four more would-be punters left - never to return. And weren't alone. The organisers arent new to this game...mistakes can happen but why not communcate this to the people who want to pay you to get in. Just sad...
Food was good. the music was a bit middle of the road, should have had some rabble rousing punk rock from Goldblade or Sonic Boom Six instead of the endless northern quarter trendy bands!
I can hardly understand the reviewers article to start with!! it was nearly as crazy as the whole event. Good intentions but lost in confusion
An event that on paper should have been excellent for all. Food outlets that cater for vegetarians, an event sponsored by my better halves favourite drink (an outcast cider drinker no more as the whole nation are cider swiggers!) and some music. we managed to get in and enjoy some sun, food and 1 or 2 drinks, and relax with old and new friends. However, come 6-8 on sunday when there was no music at all-not even unamplified acoustic talent most stalls had run of vegetarian food, and lo and behold the Bulmers sponsered event ran out of cider!!!!!!!!!!!
Bit of a dampener, seen as were collectively £22 worse off then we were on the other side of the fence.
However, we consoled ourselves in the fantastic Scruffs tea room, with tea and cake a plenty. Maybe next year it should just be a big Scruffs tea party with a few other special guests.
Overall on paper it could of been great and thats why so many people came this is Manchester and we can do things so much better. The last event held at Platt Fields-which was free, was a great weekend that showed a collective multi-cultural community and city partying and picnicking together without the commercialisation that was upon us this weekend. 4/5 for idea 2/5 for event organising
Bit disappointed with this to be honest, and not just because the weather let us down. The area was too small and the stages poorly positioned so you couldn't hear the 2nd stage when there was an act on the main stage. There were only a few stalls to browse and the tv wasn't working in the food demo tent when I went in so it was basically a case of sit down and listen to someone talk about food that you can't see! They also should have offered discounts to people arriving after 5pm, instead of still insisting on £11.
Overall, could do better. Hopefully they will next year.
I can't believe all these moaning people!
It was a great festival and only a tenner per day.
If people had come and left at a sensible time then there would have been no wait at all. Great stuff, hope it's on next year.
The good: Great headliners on both days, the imaginative organised things for kids, good varied food at reasonable prices instead of the usual burger van fodder.
The bad: Much of the food and all the real ale was gone by Sunday afternoon - Just didn't seem prepared for the numbers on Sunday owing to the better weather. Music should've started and finished earlier, the crowds were decidedly thin by the time I Am Kloot and particularly The Earlies came on, which was a shame.
Contrary to the opinion of some of the other comments left on this page so far, I really enjoyed Summer in The Park. It was the first attempt so surely people can cut them some slack for the odd mis-hap and lack of communication, it can only get better each year. It didn't rain all weekend, the sun was blazing on Sunday, the drink was flowing, there was plenty to see and do, the food was top quality, and Liam Frost did an amazing set (if a bit short) what more could you ask for at that price!
So, they ran out of wrist bands, food and drink (which is strange considering it was a food and drink festival), but, for for a debut, i thought the festival was great. i was there performing and we all had a great time.the music was brilliant, i'm not sure how people managed to miss it! and the food was good, just not enough of it. i really hope the festival is back next year!
Cello