Review: Exile festival goes down a storm

Avoiding most of threatened thunderstorms, Exile festival put on a sumptuous feast of musical diversity from a hard rock band to classical percussionists.
Project Jam Sandwich at Exile Fest, Sabine Hay, Darley Dale.Project Jam Sandwich at Exile Fest, Sabine Hay, Darley Dale.
Project Jam Sandwich at Exile Fest, Sabine Hay, Darley Dale.

Political folkband Isambard’s Wheel kicked off with intricate harmonising of original material, before Ripley band Parasyte fulfilled its promise to be the loudest rock band.

Promoting their new EP, Derby based accomplished funk blues band Blackfish headlined on Friday night.

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World fusion quintet, Project Jam Sandwich took the audience on a magical journey involving South African dancing and Portuguese chanting.

With electronic keyboards on an ironing board Kissing Kipper Fishing Club woke up the Saturday crowd, followed by We Ghosts providing the smooth cool blues.

Exile old favourites Left Hand Drive celebrated their 20th anniversary, as Jake In The Box encouraged new fans to buy CDs of Jake Thrackray’s original acerbic, funny songs.

Comedian and singer-songwriter Keith Donnelly had everyone quacking to his duck song and lovable resident folk rockers Loscoe State Opera got everyone up dancing around the tent poles.

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As rain came to Sabine Hay on Sunday , organisers praised Derbyshire County Council again for granting them a marquee, protecting the complex electronics of Andy Bole’s serene Indian music.

The weekend’s surprise delight goes to Gravity Percussion, classically trained duo Peter Mitchell and Anthony Mann, impressively playing the rarely seen xylophone and an array of unusual percussion instruments.