Fairview Convention 2009, Kemble Inn
Cheltenham
Saturday 6th June saw a host of
local bands converge on Cheltenham's tiny Kemble Inn for the
third annual "Fairview Convention" in aid of the
County Air Ambulance.
12 bands in all provided the day's
entertainment, playing from the rooftop stage to the packed pub
garden. Music ranged from acoustic covers, to indie rock to folk as
the crowd were treated to a wide variety of Gloucestershire's bands.
With the rain threatening, but luckily
never falling, early acts included Colin Hartley and the event
organisers, the Lighter Thieves, who soon warmed up the crowd with a
sing along set of covers ranging from the 70s to today's
hits.
Cheltenham four piece JC's Revenge
were next up providing the day's only full electric set, bouncing
through half an hour of indie rock like they used to make it in the
good old days.
With the size of the crowd now
making it an almost impossible task to move outside (if you've been
to the Kemble you'll know), it took more than a little courage for
the solo curiosity that is Men Diamler to ditch the stage and
instead serenade the assembled audience from ground level. Providing
one of the day's undoubted highlights, the soloist hopped, ducked
and jumped amongst the gathered audience delivering sweet sounding
folksy melodies, 
tinged with dark tales of hungry horses, terrible
lives and the set's highpoint, turning Gospel Preacher to lead the
crowd through "John the Revelator."
With cider flowing freely and the
atmosphere building, the crowd were soon in full voice as acoustic
covers ensued with first John Madden and then Papa Burgundy, who
carried on the a capella (ish) theme set by Men Diamler with their
take on the Fugee's Killing Me Softly, complete with enthusiastic
audience participation before a Hawaiian shirted performer known (to
this reviewer) only as "Steve" took things in a slightly folksier
direction again.
It was left to local hero Jim
Lockey to close the show, who did so in style and showing at the
same time why it won't be long before his own brand of upbeat folk
will be gracing much larger stages in the not too distant future.
Upcoming support slots with Peter Doherty and Frank Turner are sure
signs of bigger things ahead.
