THE record attendances who flocked to this year’s Uffculme Music & Real Ale Festival enjoyed a real party atmosphere.

Eighteen ales and 12 ciders were on offer, with some quirky names such as Blonde Ambition, Devon Jester, Thirst of Many, Country Bumpkin, Monkey Mango and Mad Jack. Champion Ale, as voted by the paying public, went to Exmoor Beast 6.6%, while Farmer Jim’s Apple Red 8.4% was voted best in the cider category. For the first time ever in the festival’s history the cider sold out!

Kicking off the music on Friday were Marnie, a two-piece featuring singer-guitarist Marnie and Jon Maybey’s skilful guitar accompaniment. They had the festival swinging from the start with covers across several decades – and what a beautiful singing voice Marnie possesses.

The Mooncats followed playing material ranging from vintage folk-blues to original songs. They are a locally based duo featuring Tracy Neil Elliss-Brooks’ acoustic and electric slide guitar vocals and Andy Winters’ percussion. They entertained the crowd playing everything from Muddy Waters through Bob Dylan to Mose Allison and beyond. I particularly liked their instrumental of The Beatles’ Norwegian Wood – a clever arrangement.

Eventine headlined on the Friday night and what a band they are. Their opening track was ‘Lost in Music’ by Sister Sledge and the crowd responded immediately by filling the dance floor. Plenty more dance music followed including ‘Superstition’ by Stevie Wonder and ‘Shut Up and Dance’ by Walk The Moon.

Intermingled were classic rock tracks such as ‘Fat Bottomed Girls’ and ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen and ‘It’s a Long Way to the Top’ by AC/DC. Eventine ooze class and with David Clement on vocals they have a lead singer who can hit all the notes.

Culm Valley Music & Performance Club organised all the music on Saturday afternoon showing the sort of quality that’s open to all and being enjoyed by many every last Wednesday of each month at Uffculme’s village hall.

Marram Grass were first on the bill and played an eclectic mix of their own tunes and songs and imaginative covers consisting of blues, comic, acoustic dance, haunting ballads and Latin. A very nice overall sound and this reviewer was particularly impressed by the wonderful vocals of Frankie Woodhams.

Eleanor Jacobs was warmly welcomed back to the festival after her initial appearance in 2017. She was good then but even better now with another two years’ experience behind her. Her country singing and guitar playing is very refreshing and went down well with the big Saturday afternoon crowd.

Tricky Situation are a smooth blues and soul four-piece band. Phil is an accomplished guitarist and provides the perfect accompaniment to Verity Greenaway’s distinctive, and fabulous, voice. Norm Marsh on percussion and Pete Luke standing in on bass finished off the mix perfectly. The band were much talked about afterwards and certainly one of the highlights of the festival.

Nine Pound Catfish finished the afternoon sets organised by Culm Valley Music and Performance Club by playing their mixture of hokum, ragtime blues and old country music, mainly from the 1920s and 30s. A past favourite at the festival, this performance was tinged with a little sadness as it was announced it would be their final appearance on stage together.

The evening entertainment began with the impressive five-piece Bar None, with two hours of up-tempo music which was spot-on for the early evening slot. Their set, with an impressive new lead singer in Kate, included the likes of The Police, Blondie, Florence and the Machine, Queen, Shania Twain and Gary Moore. Locals were particularly pleased to spot Uffculme resident Russell Lemon, on drums.

Reckless, a superb six-piece covers band from Exeter, headlined on Saturday. They paid tribute to a wide range of classics from across the decades, including Queen, The Beatles, AC/DC, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, Van Morrison, Rolling Stones and Bon Jovi.

In Richard Elgar they have a lead singer with a full range. They went down a storm and their powerful sound had the band marquee rightfully buzzing from start to finish.

Next year’s festival is a week later than usual on July 10/11, 2020.

JIM CLANCY