Simon RushworthThe family-friendly Camp Bestival’s hardly renowned for its riffs but Rushonrock sniffed some out anyway. From hair metal to indie folk and alt rock to AC/DC, there was plenty of sun-soaked six-string action.
The Darkness descends on Shropshire
Rocking up for their second Bestival slot of the summer, the Hawkins’ brothers didn’t let a raft of Under 10s spoil their lairy, sweary fun.
Gracious as always, flamboyant frontman Justin did offer the Saturday evening crowd the option of a cleaner version of Get Your Hands Off My Woman.
His gesture politely declined, the assembled kids choir chose to belt out ‘motherfucker’ at the top of their tiny voices, freed from the confines of the local soft play and that Bluey blu-ray.
Bizarrely freeing, that expletive-laden singalong ushered in a typically manic set from the enduring hair metal throwbacks — even 24 hours late Friday Night was a booming Bestival highlight.
Some suggested booking Lowestoft’s infamous rabble rousers was a brave move by Rob da Bank. On this evidence, Bestival’s hands-on founder played a blinder.
McFly buzzing on the main stage
Think McFly are sub-par pop punksters stealing a living from festivals trading on bland noughties nostalgia? Think again.
Had this talented quartet been birthed 20 years earlier it’s likely record label bosses would have pitched them straight into the thick of the hair metal battle.
It’s really no surprise when Bon Jovi’s biggest hit makes a welcome mid-set appearance and guitarist Tom Fletcher clearly fancies himself as a latter-day Eddie Van Halen.
From day one McFly have crafted anthemic pop rock built on impossibly infectious choruses but live they’re a different beast.
Fletcher and drummer Harry Judd are serious musicians on a mission to turn up the volume and turn down any negative noise.
The big ticket chart successes come thick and fast as Friday’s star turns go back to the future in style. McFly rock — honest.
Highway To Hell’s a road well-travelled
The RPJ Band — a classy covers crew featuring the late Rick Parfitt’s son on lead vocals — teased a raft of classic rock anthems during a furious Friday afternoon foray into the history books.
And if AC/DC’s Highway To Hell featured all too briefly during the band’s trademark medley (Paradise City and The Final Countdown, among others, made their presence felt) then it made a glorious comeback just hours later.
It’s no secret that 80s pop prince Rick Astley was schooled in rock and the would-be drummer remains an Acca Dacca acolyte to this day.
So a stint behind the kit bashing out Highway To Hell is always on the cards when Rick’s in town.
True to form, the 58-year-old crooner fitted in a suitably riotous version of the 1979 standard just before that song.
On this evidence Astley is never going to give up on his fading rock star dream.
Sisters are doing it for themselves
Strong female voices were a welcome feature of both Bestivals this summer with the outspoken Paloma Faith doing a double headline stint.
But the Big Top tent was home to many of the Shropshire event’s unexpected highlights with axe-wielding women everywhere you looked.
Nottingham’s answer to Nirvana — EMI North signings GIRLBAND! — grabbed the attention with their grungy, guttural garage rock.
And the earthy, country-tinged folk of Sound Of The Sirens provided a sweet antidote to weekend’s more polished acts.
The sense of sisterhood was rarely stronger than when The Magic Numbers brought the Big Top to a dizzying crescendo: 20 years after the band burst onto the scene it’s still a joy to experience Forever Lost and Love Me Like You in the live arena.
Just as joyous is the evolution of genial Geordie Katie Grace.
Hailing from Sam Fender’s North Tyneside neighbourhood, the singer songwriter’s infectious indie folk continues to enthral. The news that fan favourite Jodie will be released a single in September almost brought the house down.