![Review & Photos: Applecart Festival @ Victoria Park, London [Live]](http://hangout.altsounds.com/geek/gars/images/2/1/3/9/4/liannelahavas_7main.jpg)
![Review & Photos: Applecart Festival @ Victoria Park, London [Live]](http://hangout.altsounds.com/altthumb.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Fhangout.altsounds.com%2Fgeek%2Fgars%2Fimages%2F2%2F1%2F3%2F9%2F4%2Fliannelahavas_7main.jpg&w=500&h=500&zc=1&q=70){kind=small}
Spread the Social Love:
Rule Britannia! It's the weekend of The Queen's Diamond Jubilee and I'm in a muddy field watching a bunch of comedians joke about why they don't care about the jubilee. What a patriotic and optimistic country we are! But in all seriousness, it's hard to be patriotic when it's cold, muddy and absolutely pouring down here in Victoria Park. We're at the second ever Applecart Festival, a family friendly (minus the comedy tent) indie-rock festival, complete with a magic and cabaret tent.
Wandering into Marcus Foster's [7 out of ten] set, the very talented singer-songwriter accompanied with a band touches on bluesy riffs in 'Rushes & Reeds', as well as some delicacy in 'I Was Broken'. His James Morrison-like vocals really shone, and his combination of awesome guitar playing and singing reminded me of a certain John Mayer.
The main stage seems to be running very late already (it's not even 4pm yet) and almost half hour late appears the stunning Lianne La Havas [7]. The smooth soulful sounds of her voice accompanied with the beautiful tones of an electric guitar absolutely silenced the tent, with only her powerful voice arising amongst hundreds of audience members. Her blend of soul, folk and pop was unique, something which is a bit rare as of late, but definitely a girl with heart and talent.
By the time Billy Bragg [9] takes the stage, it's a complete monsoon outside, but Bragg, or should I say Uncle Bill raises spirits with his politic-poetic anthems such as 'Never Buy The Sun' and 'Levi Stubb's Tears'. He then goes on to do a rendition of Bob Marley's 'One Love',changing the word's to “Let's drop the debt and it will be alright,” the crowd cheering like Bragg was some kind of protest leader. ...he exclaims, before launching giant balloons into the crowd. “The red represent Labour, the yellow represent the rotten ol' Liberal Democrats, the green represent the Green Party and the burst balloons represent the Conservative Party.” Billy Bragg has charmed the crowd today, launching into his final song 'A New England'. I would certainly vote for him to be Prime Minister...
Sean Lock [8] has a tent bursting with people for his set in the comedy tent, and my god was it worth being cramped in there. The man is hilarious, just what you need at a festival where it's absolutely pouring it down, and if you haven't heard of him, go and watch him on Youtube now.
I'm not really a fan of alternative indie, and Stornoway [5] fail to impress me, even with the many instruments and band members they have, it's proof that a singer and their guitar can go a lot further than an overcomplicated multi-instrument indie mess.
In what takes an even stranger turn for this festival is the appearance of 80's legend Adam Ant [4]with his newest act, The Good, The Mad and The Lovely Posse. In all honesty I have no idea why Adam Ant is still performing, it's like your drunk uncle coming to crash the party. Dressed as a pirate, he dazzles about on stage, dancing like it's the 80's still, as he tries to keep up with his band. It was just a disaster.
It comes to the headliners and by this time, most of the crowd have gone home because of the rain which is still lashing down, and the food stalls are all packing away. It's the strangest end to a festival and on the Spinning Wheel Stage, American singer-songwriter Josh T. Pearson [7] certainly doesn't get the crowd he deserves for this headline slot. He jokes with the crowd a lot during the set, including telling stage workers to stop talking after one his songs. That's how quiet he likes it, and his voice and guitar echoes across this half empty tent. I wish I could have stayed longer, but I cross the mud to catch one of my favourites, Noah & The Whale.
The main stage tent is only three-quarters full here, but Noah & The Whale [8] are tight as ever, showing that they deserve this headline spot. Entering as they're already into their set, 'Just Before We Met' rings around the tent, before the stunning 'Give A Little Love' from their debut album captures everyone. It's an absolutely gorgeous song, with an awesome build up. Performing crowd favourites such as the summery '5 Years Time' and 'L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.' the London boys really impress here. Dressed in suits as usual, their live presence is something they've mastered, and I give them credit for that.
It's been a long day, at a festival which peaked around 5pm, as families packed it in early to avoid catching colds. But Applecart Festival was certainly a fun festival with an interesting line-up, but could have been many more acts up on those stages. At least The Queen wasn't the only one out in the rain today...
Wandering into Marcus Foster's [7 out of ten] set, the very talented singer-songwriter accompanied with a band touches on bluesy riffs in 'Rushes & Reeds', as well as some delicacy in 'I Was Broken'. His James Morrison-like vocals really shone, and his combination of awesome guitar playing and singing reminded me of a certain John Mayer.
The main stage seems to be running very late already (it's not even 4pm yet) and almost half hour late appears the stunning Lianne La Havas [7]. The smooth soulful sounds of her voice accompanied with the beautiful tones of an electric guitar absolutely silenced the tent, with only her powerful voice arising amongst hundreds of audience members. Her blend of soul, folk and pop was unique, something which is a bit rare as of late, but definitely a girl with heart and talent.
By the time Billy Bragg [9] takes the stage, it's a complete monsoon outside, but Bragg, or should I say Uncle Bill raises spirits with his politic-poetic anthems such as 'Never Buy The Sun' and 'Levi Stubb's Tears'. He then goes on to do a rendition of Bob Marley's 'One Love',changing the word's to “Let's drop the debt and it will be alright,” the crowd cheering like Bragg was some kind of protest leader.
“The only thing that really unites us Brits is the shitty weather,”
Sean Lock [8] has a tent bursting with people for his set in the comedy tent, and my god was it worth being cramped in there. The man is hilarious, just what you need at a festival where it's absolutely pouring it down, and if you haven't heard of him, go and watch him on Youtube now.
I'm not really a fan of alternative indie, and Stornoway [5] fail to impress me, even with the many instruments and band members they have, it's proof that a singer and their guitar can go a lot further than an overcomplicated multi-instrument indie mess.
In what takes an even stranger turn for this festival is the appearance of 80's legend Adam Ant [4]with his newest act, The Good, The Mad and The Lovely Posse. In all honesty I have no idea why Adam Ant is still performing, it's like your drunk uncle coming to crash the party. Dressed as a pirate, he dazzles about on stage, dancing like it's the 80's still, as he tries to keep up with his band. It was just a disaster.
It comes to the headliners and by this time, most of the crowd have gone home because of the rain which is still lashing down, and the food stalls are all packing away. It's the strangest end to a festival and on the Spinning Wheel Stage, American singer-songwriter Josh T. Pearson [7] certainly doesn't get the crowd he deserves for this headline slot. He jokes with the crowd a lot during the set, including telling stage workers to stop talking after one his songs. That's how quiet he likes it, and his voice and guitar echoes across this half empty tent. I wish I could have stayed longer, but I cross the mud to catch one of my favourites, Noah & The Whale.
The main stage tent is only three-quarters full here, but Noah & The Whale [8] are tight as ever, showing that they deserve this headline spot. Entering as they're already into their set, 'Just Before We Met' rings around the tent, before the stunning 'Give A Little Love' from their debut album captures everyone. It's an absolutely gorgeous song, with an awesome build up. Performing crowd favourites such as the summery '5 Years Time' and 'L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.' the London boys really impress here. Dressed in suits as usual, their live presence is something they've mastered, and I give them credit for that.
It's been a long day, at a festival which peaked around 5pm, as families packed it in early to avoid catching colds. But Applecart Festival was certainly a fun festival with an interesting line-up, but could have been many more acts up on those stages. At least The Queen wasn't the only one out in the rain today...
![Review & Photos: Mazes @ Birthdays, London [Live]](http://hangout.altsounds.com/altthumb.php?src=http%3A%2F%2Fhangout.altsounds.com%2Fgeek%2Fgars%2Fimages%2F1%2F9%2F8%2F9%2F1%2Fdsc_3461.jpg&h=75&w=75&zc=1&q=70)
