We’re pleased to welcome music review contributor, Jennifer McKean, to the VB team. Last weekend she made her way to the first V-Dub Festival. Read on to find out what she thought of it. Ed
“Car enthusiast” is a term that conjures horrific visions of Clarkson-eque forty-somethings clad in denim jeans and Ferrari baseball caps.
Last weekend saw the first ever V-Dub Island, a festival for Volkswagen aficionados. Its website had specifically stated it wasn’t for those who “are not into VWs but just want to party hard”.
Thus, on the Saturday, I left my whistle and glowsticks at home and quietly wheeled my scooter up around the corner.
The weather was kind
The event was off to a good start with the weather on its side as the sun scorched the grassland and camper roofs sizzled in the blazing heat.
Toots and the Maytals blared out as kids dived about on the sandy V-Dub (makeshift) beach and tipsy revellers scaled colossal deckchairs.
Northwood had turned totally tropical.
What’s wrong with turn-ups?
The festival evidently had the “family friendly” stamp of approval (until the watershed) and the funk/soul/ska line-up suggested this could be enticing the local “scooter rally” demographic.
Assumptions were proved correct early on when three mods approached and asked what the point of my turn-ups were (roll down for the cooler evenings).
The Almighty Chancers
Island band, The Almighty Chancers, played to the afternoon crowd, covering fiery funk and ska classics with furious gusto.
Frontman Rick Stanbridge revealed the Chancers are due to appear at this year’s Bestival before “winding down” for the winter to record special new material. 3pm, Saturday – One not to miss.
The Chancers played on. Whilst sitting back and picking more grass out of my pint, the ground began to shake. Bulldozers? I assumed V-Dub organiser Roni Blunt had gained planning permission.
Time to investigate.
Is Zumba taking over the world?
The ground shuddered harder and Pitbull’s “I Know You Want Me” grew ever louder as I approached the pandemonium. Low and behold, fifty middle-aged women dancing in militant formation.
It was Zumba! The work-out company that encourages weight loss through Latin music and partying (not too hard, remember). It wasn’t clear if they were all there by choice. It seemed all the male V-Dubbers had collectively left their wives in this area, for the burlesque show was due very soon.
Next up on the main stage were NME-backed The Foxes. Returning from London since Legends in the Park, the boys were back playing songs from their latest EP, Depression, Joy and a Moment of Fame. I had a few questions for lead singer, Nigel Thomas.
Are the Foxes associated with VW or are you just playing today?
Thomas: We’re just playing here today, although I would love to get a campervan.
Are you just saying that because it’s a Volkswagen festival?
Thomas: No, it’s true, it’s true! I would love one. But they’re too expensive for me. I’m just an ordinary musician. One day”¦
Ok, so what’s your favourite song for driving?
Thomas: Born To Be Wild, I reckon!
Have you been watching too many films [Easy Rider]? So what are Foxes recording now? I saw people picking up your EPs earlier”¦
Thomas: The album’s coming out probably November/December time. We’re just finishing off the artwork. Once we’ve done that, it’s all ready to go.
And the title”¦?
Thomas: I’m not really allowed to say but it’s Last of Many. That’s an exclusive. Don’t tell the band that I told you!
The band gave a buoyant performance that encapsulated the overall mood of the day. You can find The Foxes here. Another band to impress were Born in a Barn, who never cease to get the crowd involved with their infectious energy and genius Island references.
And so to the evening, where the tone – unfortunately – took an almighty nose-dive. The whole day had been a soaring success, but the next billing was perhaps booked in anticipation of the “car enthusiasts” mentioned at the beginning. “There will be burlesque,” compere, Huxley Hunt, announced to a hushed crowd, “which means”¦ there will be nudity!” Roars filled the air and what followed was a series of dances performed by young girls in hotpants and dodgy blonde wigs. “That one’s in my daughter’s class at school!”, a woman beside me exclaimed.
Awkward viewing
The overall performance made awkward viewing, primarily for the reason that some of them could have hidden their modesty with their Student Riders.
Moving swiftly on to the headliners of the night and the chief “non-VWer” puller: Dub Pistols. Signed to Sunday Best, the band have made numerous returns to the Island through Bestival performances. Although the marquee was fit-to-burst, the gig felt relatively intimate. The band are generally genre-defying, but over their fifteen-year career, the Pistols have dabbled with electronica, disco, ska, funk, punk, dub”¦ you name it, Barry Ashworth’s crafted a masterpiece with it.
I caught up with the frontman earlier in the day for a chinwag.
You’re closely associated with Sunday Best and Bestival”¦ You’ve just done Camp Bestival?
Ashworth: I DJ’d at Camp Bestival. It was amazing, everything came together for it and the weather was fantastic. Definitely the best year, it was awesome.
I remember Bestival 2009 when it got a bit, erm –
Ashworth: Muddy?
– Lairy.
Ashworth: It was good fun lairy-ness! There was a track called There’s Gonna Be A Riot. So, we asked everyone to throw stuff at us, which they duly did. Just”¦ flip-flops hitting you in the face, d’you know what I mean? Sandals and”¦
What’s it like to get flip-flopped in the face?
Ashworth: It’s interesting when you’re singing. It’s one of those moments you’ll never repeat. It was fantastically insane. Bugsy Malone moment.
Have you got any new collaborations lined up?
Ashworth: On the new album we’ve got collaborations with Terry [Hall] again. Just had a collaboration with Rod from Alabamas. I think we’ve gone for more of a pure dub influence, this time it’s more focused.
So would you say the Pistols are maturing?
Ashworth: Not by choice! Over-ripened. [Laughs] I think, fifteen years down the line this could be our most outrageous album yet. Certainly our most opinionated.
When can we expect its release?
Ashworth: We were planning to release it in March – I’ve finished writing it, I’ve just got to mix it now, so –
You’ve missed the peak period!
Ashworth: We’re not worried about competing with Christmas sales.
No?
Ashworth: Nah, we like to go to the January sales! [At this point Ashworth notices MC Surreal – another Pistol – floundering inside an inflatable ball in the V-Dub paddling pool. The other kids tumble out of the way.]
Ashworth: There he is, the one falling over.
So what do you currently drive?
Ashworth: I don’t wanna tell you that! [Laughs] [Manager: It’s a VW!]
Ashworth: No it’s actually, it’s a”¦ oh it is actually!
Ashworth: But I’ve always had a love for the VWs because they’re a classic car, eh. And the best place to go is Mexico where they’re just used as taxis. Just like, mindblowing.
That and you get kidnapped in ’em.
Is that from firsthand experience?
Ashworth: “¦.Second [Laughs] Second time you don’t get so worried when you go to the cash machine.
The Dub Pistols line-up seems to be ever-morphing, but Saturday night saw a tour-de-force from Ashworth’s ensemble spouting a ream of hits including Problem Is, Architect and Cyclone, followed by a powerful big beat DJ set. You can catch Ashworth at this year’s Bestival, who will be appearing as a surprise guest.
V-Dub Island has made a thundering entrance into the Island festival diary. It’s turned the original Bug Jam electro scene on its head and firmly attached the mod/soul identity that we’re due to see (ten-fold) at the Isle of Wight Scooter Rally next weekend. Hold onto your Harringtons.
All photos taken by J McKean
You can read other music reviews by Jennifer on her blog
Image: © Jennifer McKean
