THE stag & dagger festival

Up in the Vibe bar we were flyered by the lovely SISTER, who came stalking in looking like an immaculately dressed 80s era Bowie. Later on she treated us to some impressively mature country rock sounds. Off to 93 Feet East (who’s bands were on time!) and we saw CHEEKY CHEEKY & THE NOSEBLEEDS, who went hell for leather with spastic dancing, rampant enthusiasm, and great tunes. Much better than you’d expect from a bunch of young’uns with a silly name. We ventured out to watch JOHNNY FLYNN in the courtyard, who charmed us with a solo set of his winsome folky tunes. The STRANGE DEATH OF LIBERAL ENGLAND were very noisy, and obviously very popular with the crowd. I hadn’t seen them before, but apparently their act of holding up signs throughout is just their usual routine. Could grow on me. ARCHIE BRONSON OUTFIT were massive, and had the main room in 93 Feet east rammed. One of their chaps - a guy playing two saxophones - was like a proper hippie dirty rock n roller, and made the act truly satisfying to watch. We squeezed in just by the door, and kept getting blasts of fresh air as people pushed past us. A great end to this festival’s debut - I might even go again.