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Previous M.A.D. events
Saturday June 18th 2011 - A MADsummer Night's Dream
Trerieve Farm, 7pm - midnight.
This year we managed to avoid clashing with major sporting fixtures and monsoons, resulting in a good turnout. Once again the people of Deviock showed that they know how to enjoy themselves - there was a great family atmosphere, with roast hog, local ales (selected by the beer committee after many hours of intense deliberation), Cornish Orchards* organic cider, home-grown cakes and most importantly, some great music, all consumed in good cheer. To the relief of his wife, M.A.D. chairman Jim Candy donated his beard to charity (the rest of him was allowed to stay at home). The sponsored beard-shearing, loudly conducted by guest MC Nigel Jones, raised £150 for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute and Shelterbox charities. Thanks to all who contributed their hard-earned cash to these deserving causes.
(*Gratuitous product placement, sorry.)
With all four bands hailing from the area, the spirit and commitment that drive our local music scene were clearly on view tonight. Deviock Community Music orchestra get better every time we see them - the 25-piece ensemble swung through a new set which ranged from a wistful arrangement of Dylan's 'Wagon Wheel' to the carefree, brass-driven blast of 'Louie Louie'. As ever, the careful playing of the woodwinds and violin provided a subtle contrast to the electric instruments; drummer Sean O'Neil was at his unpredictable best, contributing one incendiary moment on a par with the late Keith Moon’s antics. Growing in tightness and musical ambition, DCM are a local success story.
Up on the main stage, Susan and Guy Carleton's Out Of The Box quartet gave us an enjoyable taste of their lively and atmospheric original material, including a surprising quote from Pink Floyd's 'Another Brick In The Wall'. Backed by some deft, melodic fiddle playing and a driving bass and kick drum rhythm section (the latter courtesy of Sue's right foot), the Carleton vocals sounded strong and beautifully blended throughout, with 'Tick Tock' a particular standout. Next up were Risky Business, led by DCM's indefatigable MD Martin Entwistle and fronted by the powerful vocals of Tracy Clements and a new horn section. The seven-piece band seized the moment and stormed through a tight, polished set of pop covers, causing Deviock's finest movers - and many others besides - to get up on their feet.
As darkness fell, headliners Freshly Squeezed turned in a performance so irresistibly funky that hordes of Afro-haired badgers were seen stampeding in the lanes round Trerieve. This was musicianship on a level rarely seen in local bands, spearheaded by razor-sharp horn syncopations, a virtuoso solo by bassist Matt Brooks and the mellow, soulful and pitch-perfect voice of singer Myron Riley, who led the audience in an enjoyable series of chants and singalongs. Combining showmanship with great musical skill, Freshly's set was obviously the culmination of many hours of rehearsal, and the audience loved it. Guitarist Alik Peters-Deacon should be proud of his hard-working band, and Music Around Deviock highly recommend them to other promoters.
Thanks to these musicians, and to our volunteers (unpaid but much-appreciated!) who helped make our summer 2011 event a success.
Jim Candy (M.A.D. chairman)
Trerieve Farm
Tel. 01503 250 376
• Friday March 11th 2011 - Concert *
Downderry Working Men's Club, 7.30pm
Three bands, each with their own distinctive sound: This Is The Kit (captivating Paris-based acoustic duo led by vocalist Kate Stables), reflective songs from rock trio Morning Star and the triumphant return of the Deviock Community Music orchestra.
(* Promoted by Sean O'Neil, refreshments by M.A.D.)
• Sunday January 16th 2011 - Jazz Lunch
Downderry Working Men's Club, 12 noon - 2pm
Featuring The Fabulous Maker Boys, Risky Business and the debut of our very own Deviock Community Music group. (Read the gig review by Gerry Glynn at DCM's home page.)
• Saturday June 12th 2010 - Live music event at Trerieve Farm
FIFA did not consult with us before the World Cup fixture list was announced, so there was an unfortunate clash with England’s opening game at this year’s Music Around Deviock (M.A.D.) event at Trerieve Farm. This resulted in a lower attendance than usual, but those who came had a great night out, devouring the hog roast, freshly caught mackerel in pitta bread from the fish bar and several gallons of real ale and Cornish Orchards cider. So at least those long-suffering souls who watched England’s “performance” against the USA on our big screen TV were able to drown their sorrows in style!
This year's music bill featured four acts on two stages, covering everything from vintage jazz-blues to party pop. First up was Crafthole musician Tom Nicholas, a strong, confident and expressive singer-songwriter, performing a mix of originals and contemporary covers. Acoustic duo Peter Bennett and Andrew Perry put a new slant on old standards - hearing Perry's liquid slide guitar intuitively weaving around Bennett's soulful vocals, it was hard to believe this was the duo's first gig together. Representing the cream of young Cornish bands (but without the clotting), Ape's quintessential rock energy shook the rafters, singer Jay Furze's vocals soaring tunefully over the blazing guitar riffs and thunderous rhythm section.
When Kiss This took the stage spirits were high: building on their enjoyable performance at last year's event, the Exeter five-piece turned in a polished performance of funked-up, high-energy '80s & '90s covers. One highlight was guitarist Big Norm's searing solo on 'Oh Sharona', which whipped up the excitement levels to the point where a group of young dancers spontaneously formed themselves into a human whirlpool (an updated version of the maypole dance?).
I would like to thank these performers and all the other volunteers, both the usual stalwarts and committee members, and also the members of the Whitsand Bay Surf Club, Turning Tide and others who helped for the first time and generously gave their time and energy to make our M.A.D. summer 2010 event a success. Finally I would like to thank everyone who came along to support us, see you all again next year if we are MAD enough to do it all again!
Jim Candy (M.A.D. chairman)
Trerieve Farm
About Us
We are a not-for-profit organisation who have been organising local music-based events in Deviock, SE Cornwall for over ten years, starting with the Downsea festival in 1998 and the annual Jazz In The Park festival in Seaton. In 2008 we moved our music events to Trerieve Farm and subsequently adopted the name Music Around Deviock (M.A.D.), since you have to be mad to do this sort of thing! Our events have been a huge success with the local community, and with their help and support we look forward to promoting more in future.
M.A.D. aims to nurture local musical talent and give young people a chance to play. Anyone can become a member, so if you would like to get involved please contact Marian or Jim Candy at info@trerieve.co.uk, tel. 01503 250 376.
We are proud to support
Deviock Community Music -
click here to read DCM's news.
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2011 summer music event
Tracy Clements of Risky Business
(Photo by Andrew MacDonald)
Matt Brooks of Freshly Squeezed
This Is The Kit
Summer 2010 music event
Ape
Tom Nicholas
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