Festival: Firefest VI (Day 1)

Artist: Treat, Bad Habit, H.E.A.T., Eclipse, Lost Weekend

Venue:  Trent University, Nottingham

Date: 23 October 2009  

Well here we are again, even though last year was supposed to be the last Firefest, the flame still burns in the hearts of the melodic rock community.  Unfortunately, this will be my last year of attending and the reasons behind this are 3 fold but I’ll outline them later. 

Anyway, onto the evening’s entertainment at Trent Uni.  We have 5 bands, 4 of them Swedish.  Now the doors were supposed to open at 6.45pm and arriving at that time I was faced with a queue snaking up the street and around the corner.  By the time I got in, Lost Weekend are already playing and the queue at the bar is pretty big, but a drinkie poos is definitely required.  By the time I’d made my way to the front, Lost Weekend must’ve been on their 3^rd song.  I’ve seen this band a few times in the past, but I’m always haunted by that phrase ... “Always the bridesmaid never the bride”.  They did nothing tonight to change my mind about that.  They try hard, reminding me very much of a watered down MSG and they do get a warm reception from the sold out crowd.  Their best song is a tune they wrote for Bob Catley, the title track from his CD 'Spirit of Man'. 

I was really looking forward to the next band after hearing their singer fill-in for H.E.A.T frontman at last year’s Firefest.  It’s hard to believe this band have released 3 albums, but Eclipse hit the stage meaning business, opening with 'Breaking My Heart'.  This is a song standard they keep up throughout the set.  They have an arsenal of catchy tunes and the hooks within those tunes to grab the listener.  Frontman Erik Martensson reminds me very much of a young Joey Tempest, he has those powerful pipes and vocal tone.  The whole band work hard throughout, and thank god the drum solo only lasted 30 seconds.  If you haven’t heard em, grab their latest album, 'Are You Ready To Rock', they will not disappoint. 

After catching Bad Habit doing an acoustic set at Firefest a few years back I really wanted to see them doing a full on, plugged in set.  They released 'Above And Beyond' earlier this year and unfortunately I was not overly impressed, so I approached their set with trepidation.  They were due on at 8.55pm but due to a few technical problems, it seemed to be down to a laptop issue, it was nearer 9.15pm when they eventually started, meaning their set was cut short.  They dedicated 'Sad But True' (no, not the Metallica track!) to promoter Kieran and there were a couple of other good songs but the guitar solos were just too loud!!!  The backing vocals also seemed to be emanating from aforesaid laptop, as at one point no-one was near a mic and a chorus of backing vocals thundered from the PA.  Frontman Bax Fehling nearly knocked himself out with his own mic during one song and they did put in a sterling effort but didn’t rock my boat like Eclipse. 

Next up were H.E.A.T and this is the third time I’ve seen them and they’ve never failed to impress, even when frontman Kenny Leckremo was having heart surgery during Firefest 5.  The crowd numbers seemed to swell just before they came on and Kenny Leckremo walked through the photo pit to a tumultuous reception from the throng just before the intro to their set.  From the off it was obvious who the majority of the crowd had come to see.  Leckremo is a cross between Bob Seger and Johnny Van Zant in the looks department and has the pipes of both those guys!!.  He even announced he had a cold and apologized ... don’t know why cos you couldn’t tell.  The whole band work the stage and throw more shapes than an aerobics class!  The crowd lap up every song, singing and chanting along and the band just look so happy to be playing in front of such an appreciative audience.  This is a band on the rise as they had played the Loud Park festival in Japan the week before with the likes of Priest, Dokken, Gotthard, Anthrax, Megadeth and Slayer.  Who’s up for betting they are playing the main day at Firefest 7?? 

Now Treat were a favourite band of mine during the 80’s and this is only the second time I’ve seen them. Treat also had a few technical problems and were due on at 11.20pm but it was 11.45pm before they hit the stage.  I also noticed that the crowd seemed to thin out after H.E.A.T so it seemed Treat may be playing to only the hardy melodic rock fans left at this time of night.  Now I’d managed to stay at the front for all the bands and when Treat hit the stage it was noticeable that the sound was a lot better but also too damn fucking loud!!! (and I had earplugs in!!).  The band are a tight well-oiled machine and drummer Jamie Borger twirls and throws his sticks with nonchalant ease, but I could only manage 4 songs before retreating to the rear of the venue.  The crowd gave them a great reception, not quite as good as H.E.A.T but this crowd is here to celebrate melodic rock, not massage egos. The band are currently recording a new album and played a song from those sessions that could easily have been written by AC/DC.   I could’ve easily left once they played 'Get You On The Run', but I stuck around for the duration of their shortened set as did a lot of people. 

And so Firefest Friday draws to a close.  Trent University is not a bad venue to host an evenings entertainment, booze is cheap and there is actually a seating area for those who need to rest weary bones, although there was never any place to sit when I ventured around there.  The acoustics in the hall are a bit suspect but there are very few places that can boast a great sound these days.  

As I said at the beginning, I’m making this my last Firefest so, onto my reasons for this. 

Number one, and this has been a problem with myself since Firefest moved to Rock City.  It’s a long day to be standing around and there is insufficient seating for people with physical problems.  I have major knee and back problems and the length of the festival takes it’s toll, leaving me in pain.  I know this is a problem for a lot of other people who attend, not just myself because I’ve spoken to them. 

Number two, and again this has been a problem since moving to Rock City, the curfew.  This is a major all-day festival that brings a lot of money into the venue, and there’s a 10.30 curfew because a flaming disco takes precedence over a highly successful event.  This means that any technical problems means the bands overrun and it’s normally the headliner who suffers.  Also, you have a captive audience who may want to continue the party but have to be crammed into the Rig.  What I’m saying is, one night is not going to make the regulars desert the place forever, let them squash into the Rig for a change. 

Number three, and once again it’s been a problem since the move.  As I said before, it’s a long day, and there’s no food available inside.  Now, because the bands are kept to a tight schedule, due to the curfew, you normally have to miss a band, sometimes two and leave the venue to grab a bite to eat, not good people. 

I know these issues have been stated across various forums in the past but, for me personally, this is becoming a major problem so I’m bowing out.  Since moving to Nottingham my enjoyment of the festival has waned and I feel these problems should have been taken on board by now and the issues dealt with.  I know the Firefest team work damn hard every year to stage these events and they’ve garnered some great bands to play over this period.   So, I say thank you for some great memories throughout that time guys and gals, but this bag of bones just isn’t prepared to go through the pain anymore.  Good luck with Firefest 7.

Review by Brassy.

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