The Gown. » open house festival

REVIEW: Seasick Steve at the Open House Festival

Connor Daly — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 12:23:16 +0000

The organisers of this year’s Open House Festival certainly chose the right man to bring an amazing week-long celebration of live music to a close. Following a great, mellow set from British band Peggy Sue, Seasick Steve took to the stage shortly after 9pm on Sunday night. The ‘song and dance man’, as he describes himself, set about raising the roof of the marquee in Custom House Square with his own unique brand of foot-stomping, dirty ol’ American blues.

BY HEATHER MCGARRIGLE

Everywhere you looked, there were fans kitted out in checked lumberjack shirts, dungarees and baseball caps, some even sporting long, grey fake beards in homage to the musician’s now-famous ‘hobo’ style. Steve took his time to chat to the crowd in between songs, and his down-to-earth, drawling stories were as well-received as the music that followed them.

We often read of ‘authentic’ performers, indeed so often that the word itself has almost lost its meaning. But Seasick Steve is a rare creature, someone who’s truly earned the right to sing his blues, making it impossible not to get swept along into a whiskey-soaked world of living on the road, busking for a dollar.

Highlights of the show for me were ‘That’s All’, the story of his time in jail; ‘Diddley Bo’, played on his one-string instrument of the same name; and ‘My Name Is Steve’, part of which he sang as a serenade to a delighted fan, whom he pulled up on stage with him. However, it was his encore that really brought the show, and the festival, to a rip-roaring finale.

As he and his drummer tore into ‘Dog House Boogie’, I thought we may actually manage to stamp the marquee into the ground, and when Steve told the story of his childhood at the hands of an abusive stepfather mid-song, it served only to work the crowd into a more demented frenzy.

Steve and his drummer were obviously caught up in the moment too, finally bringing an electrifying night to a close with a truly rock n’ roll display of drum vandalism, as Steve’s drummer ripped cymbals off the kit and struck the final beat of the night with a broom handle.

Truly the best gig I’ve been to for a long time – hats off again to the Openhouse team for an unforgettable week of music in Belfast.

COMPETITION: Win 2 tickets to launch of the Lowly Knights’ new EP

Connor Daly — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 21:19:54 +0000

To be in with a chance to win 2 tickets to their new EP launch, answer the following question: What is the name of the first Lowly Knights EP?

Send your name and your answer to arts@thegown.org.uk by 8th September.

The event will take place on 12th September in the Black Box. Support is from Matthew and the Atlas, Marcus Foster and Pete Roe with the Open House Festival.

GOWN GIVEAWAY: Win Noah and the Whale Tickets!

Martin — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 11:25:37 +0000

Open House Festival have given us tickets for two lucky students to see Noah and the Whale in Custom House Square THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT (23rd September)!

THE COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED. CONGRATULATIONS TO WINNER LAURA HAWTHORNE.

LOOK OUT FOR MORE GREAT COMPETITIONS IN THE WEEKS AHEAD!

Best known for their infectious hit single ’5 years time’, the band combine diverse instruments with harmonised vocals to create a bitter sweet sound that is pure summer.

To be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize, just take part in our fun challenge:

If you were in charge of Noah’s Ark, what two animals would you bring and why?

Send your answers to info@thegown.org.uk along with your name and mobile number (so we can contact you if you win). The most striking, creative entries will win both the tickets. You can enter as many times as you like, so get cracking.

Competition closes on Wednesday 23rd September 2009 at 12noon. For more information on the bands playing in the Coors Light Open House Festival and to book tickets, visit their website: