Cherry Fest is one of the last remaining bastions of authentic rock festivals, which attracts punters who like their music loud, hard and dirty. It’s small enough to enable the old rock veterans to shuffle from one stage to the next, and has ample watering holes to parch the thirst of the throng. Another bonus is that there are no playing time clashes, adding to our viewing pleasure.
Sweden’s Blues Pills are belting out bluesy rock, their lead vocalist Elin Larsoon channeling Janis Joplin as the rain gods behave themselves over the AC/DC Lane Stage. A quick dash inside the Cherry Bar where those proponents of keyboard driven garage rock, Legends of Motorsport are putting on a raucous show. The sound of organ reverberates through the Cherry Bar, while lead vocalist Richard Fyshwick tells us “We’re a motivational rock band.”
At the Jagermeister AC/DC Lane stage, Germany’s answer to AC/DC Kadaver are pulling out all the rock moves, using their long blonde locks to great effect and the copious use of wah wah effects pedals, always goes down a treat.
Hoss fronted by the inimitable Joel Silbersher are delivering the goods to a now packed Cherry Bar. Outside Aussie rock stalwarts The Powder Monkeys are churning out driving riffs, commanding the full attention of punters as they stumble over discarded cans.
Chris Wilson and his Crown of Thorns are offering some blues respite inside, with Wilson’s booming voice and harmonica echoing through the Cherry Bar.
Headliners The Bellrays are playing a somewhat early finale compared to previous years. Lead vocalist Lisa Kekula has one killer set of pipes, her soulful delivery contrasting beautifully with the rock sound. Opener Colours is an explosive start to a high energy set that culminates with MC and Cherry Bar owner Mr James Young, joining the band to sing the chorus of AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell.”
It’s a fitting finale to a rock festival that’s an essential date in one’s calendar. It’s intimate enough to allow for viewing pleasure and large enough to provide the right amount of atmosphere, show casing local and overseas acts. One inebriated punter sums it up nicely; “I couldn’t take my pants off quickly enough for you, but it’s about the music today. It’s not about picking up.”
So if you want to pick up at Cherry Fest 14 and listen to some epic music, make sure you wear a tracksuit.
