The camping fields are noticeably more full this morning and Vantastival attracts a lot of local day visitors so Saturday is shaping up to be a good one. The sun continues to favour us with its presence and there is a roaring trade in breakfast rolls. The Volkswagen main stage kicks off in hard rocking style with Accidents In The Workplace. Their hypnotic lead singer is like a Gothic Stevie Nicks with bright red hair, a florescent crucifix, and shimmering butterfly wings handing from her outstretched arms. And we finally catch up with Nix Moon for an interview. They are as much fun off-stage as they are on it.
Dublin hip hop fusion group Just Mikey bring a slick show with a distinctively Dublin flavour (flava?). Their sound is a mash up of Donaghmede troubadour Damien Dempsey and Macklemore & Lewis. It's structured rapping with a full-band pop rock backing and roof-raising choruses, if there were a roof over the Goldenplec stage. Raising the tree canopy doesn't have the same ring to it. Next up it's Northern Ireland's' The Bonnevilles, who'll be familiar to regular readers. It's hard to resist comparing the drummer and guitarist /vocalist duo to The Black Keys or The White Stripes but my brain is no longer functioning sufficiently to reach beyond such obviousness. But the Bonnevilles aren't some two dimensional imitators. When he's not cranking out the searing leads and crunchy power chords, singer Andrew McGibbon Jr. can emote like an old-fashioned, soulful, blues singer. They have brought their own crowd too. I lose count of the number of Bonnevilles t-shirts.
We've just been told that a burst water main in Drogheda means that the water is going to run out. There's not a cloud in the sky. There will be some parched throats come Sunday morning and the queue for the drinking water tap stretches quickly. Thankfully the anticipated water shortage doesn't occur. Fox E. And The Good Hands bring some welcome soul to the scorching afternoon as the crowd at the main stage spread out around the tent to make the most of the sunshine. Mutefish are already legends around here. Their busking sessions attract hundreds, so it's a real treat to catch a fully electrified set from them. And electrifying it is. Their set is a non-stop dance party that noticeably shakes the heaving tent. They incorporate musical instruments and styles from all round the world and amalgamate them with electronica, Celtic rock, and folk music, to astonishing effect. Their Bollywood version of the Knight Rider theme tune is a notable highlight.
This year's featured artist is Badly Drawn Boy and there's a real air of anticipation in and around the main stage as The Hour Of Bewilderbeest approaches. Damon Gough comes out for a line check then disappears as the crowd starts to build. He gets a massive reception when he re-emerges. Woolly hat in place, he plays a verse of 'What A Wonderful World' before segueing into 'Too Many Miracles' and the packed tent is enraptured. It's hard to say what makes this wee festival so good. Badly Drawn Boy is the only non-native act this year. Last year it was Goldie Lookin' Chain. The guest stars are hand-picked to appeal to the parents of young families, and so are the events around the music. People come back every year. Many of the same bands come back every year. There are nearly as many children as there are adults in attendance. The new location has been a big hit and the breadth and depth of the local talent on show is very special. Whatever it is, it'll have us coming back to see what next year's Vantastival holds.
