aaamusic | On 29, Jun 2011

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Finsbury Park, London18th – 19th June

Is it pouring down with rain? Have you almost killed yourself in a muddy field? Are you utterly soaked, head to toe? It doesn’t matter, you are at Feis Festival at Finsbury Park!  Very much like at Glastonbury, the “feisian” public ignores the inclement weather enjoying, instead, moments of pure nationalistic euphoria and pride. Girls wearing crowns of flowers, families watching the stage from quiet elevated spots, Irish flags dancing over the heads along with umbrellas and cameras, and leprechaun hats… This is the atmosphere at Feis Festival on its 21^st edition.

Feis took place for the first time in 1990, thanks to the efforts of its founder, the Irish music promoter Vince Power (also involved in the Benicassim Festival), as well as of the Gaelic League that had always wanted to establish a Feis (in Gaelic ‘festival’) in London in order to promote an annual gathering for the Irish. Following the example of the Welsh Eisteddfod, Feis is an event devoted to Irish music, seeking an International reach. This year’s edition, in fact, has been announced with a big American name, Bob Dylan, for an exclusive UK performance on Saturday night. Needless to say, by the time Dylan got to the stage, the main arena was packed with people and filled with romanticism.

As far as the organization is concerned, Vince Power announced that there would be four stages whereas there were actually three, one of which was perhaps too limited in space, and trapped behind an Argentinian steak stand. The second biggest stage was located under a circus-like shed. The main stage, instead, obviously took the largest area of the park. Regrettably, there were no big screens on the sides to provide visual support whatsoever.

First day:

It’s always great to have Bob Dylan in London, especially when this gig is his only UK appearance, but the first day at Feis Festival reserves more than just the Man as more names deserve praise and a place in memory: The Cranberries, The Undertones, The Gaslight Anthems, The Saw Doctors, The Waterboys, Afro Celt Sound System among the others. Having the crowd singing along The Cranberries songs like Zombie, Salvation, and Dreams is definitely a good start. The Gaslight Anthem are great entertainers as well, and songs such as The ’59 Sound, The Backseat and Great Expectations keep the people stuck under the Pyramid stage. But the main stage is not the “one and only” place to be at Feis Festival 2011. In effect, on the second stage  (The Tent) the public enjoys bands like Afro Celt Sound System whose songs are pure excitement for ears and eyes. Another highlight of the day is The Saw Doctor’s performance, not easy to carry, especially if the timetable clashes with Bob Dylan… Nonetheless, the Irish band catches its audience with power and nationalistic passion.

Finally, Bob Dylan, and his band of course, woos the whole of Finsbury Park. Despite the age, the 70 year old artist can still surprise with his evergreen songs like Gonna Change My Way Of Thinking, A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall, Forgetful Heart along with immortal pieces like All Along The Watchtower, Blowin’ In The Wind and Like A Rolling Stone.

Second day:

The attendance is lower than the first day despite the summery sunshine. The third stage hosts good artists such as The Mulkerrin Brothers, Fionn Regan and Declan O’Rourke, while on the second stage Eddi Reader, Paul Brady and Camille O’Sullivan also are a positive mark on this 2011 edition.

The Irish spirit on the Main stage lies in  Clannad and Horslips’s music: a recognisable Gaelic Folk sound that makes the crowds feel like being suddenly dislocated in terms of time and space. According to the initial bill, Van Morrison is expected to close the 2011 edition, but the last band to hit the Pyramid stage is Thin Lizzy. Van Morrison performance was brilliant as usual, with songs like Brown Eyed Girl, Moondance and Star of the County Down, just to mention a few.

Areally unexpected surprise to see Thin Lizzy closing the gates for the Feis Festival 2011. With a short but intense setlist, the Irish hard rock band, is a real delight for the audience, with songs like Waiting For an Alibi, Jailbreak, Don’t Believe a Word, Whiskey in the Jar and The Boys Are Back in Town.

Finally, as fingers stop petting guitars and harps, as drumsticks hit the ground, and the last fragment of voice is finally released, Finsbury Park returns being part of London as if Feis has yet to happen. 

Author: Francesca Di Fraia

Photos: Luca Viola