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Monday August 29th - Tamworth Castle Pleasure Grounds - Band Stand area 29/08/83 Tamworth Herald – 02/09/83 Despite busy Bank Holiday events, in the town, Tamworth’s rock fans turned up in strength to watch six different acts perform. And the success of the event means that a Bank Holiday rock festival could become a regular date on the local music calendar. The event – which was jointly organised by the band Hardware and Gary Holt of Tamworth Arts Centre – was a triumph for bands and fans alike. Those Attractive Magnets, Tamworth’s premier synth band, were selling copies of their debut single ‘Nightlife’ and all other bands gained new admirers from the sun-drenched crowds. The first band to take the stage were Sitting Pretty. It was their first public gig in the town – but their newness didn’t show. Their sound is a nice mixture of 60s and the 80s music and looks set to be very popular with local audiences. Their best number was ‘Touch the Moon’ which is one of four songs the band will be recording soon for their debut demo tape. After a short break, Those Attractive Magnets played a short snappy set, full of their usual charisma, wit and style. The band enjoyed a great reception. They were besieged after their set by young autograph hunters – a remarkable and refreshing sight for Tamworth’s rock scene. If the gig was a success for the Magnets, it was nothing short of a triumph for Hardware. For them, main organisers of the gig, it must have been a great sight to see the area in front of the bandstand completely filled. “It all went very well,” said drummer Garry Norris. “The sound was good, the audience was marvellous and we couldn’t have hoped for a better day.” Hardware’s rock sound brought an excellent reaction from the crowd, who by this time were numbering well over 700. And then it was time for the Royal Family to put in an appearance. No it was not a surprise visit by Prince Charles, it was Tamworth’s finest rhythm and blues outfit led by the incredible figure of David Smith in his role as the Buster Bloodvessel of the town’s music scene. The Royal Family are the sort of band it is impossible to ignore. They play wonderful toe-tapping tunes and never stop smiling – apart that is, from David Smith who contorted his face to magnificent affect during the group’s set. Variety Omen 2 were up next and they proved to be a calming influence after the crazy sounds of the Royal Family. Omen 2 turned in a highly professional performance highlighted by some excellent keyboard work by Ian Jenkins and the normal faultless performance by Tim Latham. The Time Bandits, a really offbeat trio, were last-on. They turned in a glorious ‘wall of noise’ to the delight of the crowd and they brought the festival to a climactic end. The police later complimented the crowd on their good behaviour. It had been an afternoon of great variety from local bands and the musicians themselves were delighted at the smooth running of the festival. The message from everyone was clear – let’s do it again…and soon! The Gallery
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