Melody Maker - May 27, 1972

 

 

The Great Western Festival - the festival they couldn't stop  takes place next weekend at Tupholme Hall, Bardney, ten miles from the centre of Lincoln. It has been fraught with difficulties from the word go and even now Great Western are under court restrictions. Originally the Great Western company announced their intention to hold a festival at Canterbury this weekend many months ago. Local feeling ran high and an alternative site had to be found and local feeling ran high everywhere. It wasn't until last week that the last rumblings in the courts died down and the organizers were obliged to give an undertaking that the festival would not be conducted in such a way as to cause a nuisance. Thus the onus is on Great Western to prove to the country that they can hold a well organised event: the outcome of the Night Assemblies Bill fiasco and future legislation depends very much on what happens next weekend.
 

On the eve of the biggest festival to be held in Britain for two years, the organisers made a desperate appeal to fans to behave sensibly.  If the fans cause a nuisance, the organisers of the Great Western Express, at Tupholme, near Lincoln this weekend, face possible imprisonment  ' and it may be the end of festivals in this country.  Stern measures have been taken by the High Court to protect the local residents. If things go wrong, actor Staniey Baker and backer Lord Harlech together with chief booke; John Martin, may end up in jail  ''The court has slapped an injunction on three points: congestion of roados, trespassing, and noise. if any of these occur, we face a maximum prison sentenced six months," Martin told the MM this week. " But we are going ahead with the festival."

 

 Latest additions to the festival are Wishbone Ash, Atomnic Rooster, Status Quo and Curtis Muldoon, but it became evident this week that Sly Stone will not be appearing despite contracts having been exchanged. The Beach Boys will take over Sly's bill topping spot on Sunday.


 

 

The Bill

 

MAIN STAGE.

 FRIDAY: Rory Galligher, Alexis Korner, Doctor Ross, Buddy Miles and Carlos Santana.

 SATURDAY: Nazareth, Locomotive G. T., Ry Cooder, Heads, Hands and Foet, Roxy Music, Steve Goodman, The Persuaslons, Stone The Crows, Helen Reddy, The Strawbs, The Faces.

 SUNDAY: Natural Acoustic Band, Brewers Droop, Spencer Davis, Incredible String Band, Lindisfarne, Beach Boys, Average White Band Slade, Monty Python, Sly and the Family Stone

 MONDAY: Vlanar Joe, Jackson He4hts, Genesis, Sutherland Brothers Wishbone Ash, Atomic Rooster, Don McLean, Sha Na Na, Humble Pie, Joe Cocker.

 

GIANTS OF TOMORROW TENT.

 SATURDAY: Buduie Sunrise, Walrus, Skin Alley, Tea and Sympathy Mark Ashton, Capability Brown.

 SUNDAY: Bitch Byzantium, Akido, Sleaze Band Jonesy, Smith, PerWns and Smith Patto.

 MONDAY: Demick and Armstrong, Gnidrolog Spreadeagle, Morgan Magic Carpet, Mohatina Cane Jeeves, Jade Warrior, Curtis Muldoon.

 

FOLK TENT.

 FRIDAY: Al Matthews Derek Brimstone, C. O B., Silvo and Moses.

 SATURDAY: Hamish Imiach, Harvey Andrews Bridget St lohn, Colin Scot, JSD Band.

 SUNDAY: Mick Softly Anne Briggs, Boys of the Lough.

 Host on Friday is Bob Harris, while John Peel takes over for Saturday Sunday and Monday. At various intervals there wili be appearances by Viv Stanshall and Legs Larry Smith.

 

 

 

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The Great Western Festival the festival they couldn't stop   takes place next weekend at Tupholme Hall, Bardney, ten miles from the centre of Lincoln. It has been fraught with difficulties from the word go and even now Great Western are under court restrictions. Originally the Great Western company announced their intention to hold a festival at Canterbury this weekend many months ago. Local feeling ran high and an alternative site had to be found and local feeling ran high everywhere.

It wasn't until last week that the last rumblings in the courts died down and the organizers were obliged to give an undertaking that the festival would not be conducted in such a we, as to cause a nuisance. Thus the onus is on Great Western to prove to the country that they can hold a well organised event: the outcome of the Night Assemblies Bill fiasco and future legislation depends very much on what happens next weekend.

Great Western have pledged to hold an enjoyable event. Their bill is vast, and their resources seem endless. At the last count, 34 bands were due to appear on the main stage, while 20 will appear in the "Giants of Tomorrow " marquee, and 13 folk artists in the folk tent.  But even the best laid plans can go astray and if every act mentioned appears Great Western will have done remarkably well. The Faces, Joe Cocker and the Beach Boys are bound to attract the most interest.

And with groups like Rory Gallagher Groundhogs, Buddy Miles, Ry Cooder, Lindisfarne, the Incredibles, Sha Na Na and Humble Pie also on the bill, the music should be excellent. The bill is large   but the main stage will close down promptly at midnight each night, according to John Martin, the chief booker for the event. It has never been the organisers intention to have the main acts parading on and off stage from Friday night until Monday without a break.

For insomniacs there will be a film shown in the main arena after midnight and other, smaller, musical sessions in marquees. On top of that the organisers promise poets, street theatre players and, perhaps, a circus act or two in the environmental arena. In the mornings between l0 am. and l p.m. there will be outdoor folk singing   in a tent if wet   and the "Giants of Tomorrow " will follow in the same tent. Security will probably be pretty strict. The Great Western company have brought in the security corps, from the NJF Festivals which took place at Plumpton two and three years ago.  British Rail will be running special trains from Kings Cross and Liverpool street stations to Lincoln with a shuttle service from there to Bardney.

 

The "Folk Tent"

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