Trying to capture the essence of Swingamajig Festival in words isn’t going to be the easiest write-up I’ve ever done, you see Swingamajig is rather unique, sure there’s live music but how many festivals do you know have dance performances, burlesque and circus performers among the off-kilter bands and DJ’s. Then there’s the audience, there’s none of this baggy shorts and T-shirts look for this lot, no at Swingamajig people dress to impress, taking their influences from the 1930’s swing era and then adding their own twist, which is also a way to describe some of the music on offer, updated versions of swing mixed with electro beats, gypsy folk, ska and funk are just some of the sounds on offer.
Collective 43, Worcester’s New Orleans influenced jazz combo serenaded the festival revellers as they entered the site with the likes of a holler-a-long version of When The Saint’s Coming Marching In and a megaphone assisted Fever. The collective transported the early birds to the second line of the Mardi Gras as they marched through the festival to take to the stage, encouraging an audience to join in and dance along.
Whilst Collective 43 welcomed the masses to the festival 3 Piece Playing Django opened the Hot Club De Swing Stage with an incredible display of nimble guitar picking and subtle double bass work invoking the spirit of Django Reinhardt himself with a dazzling rendition of Exactly Like You, among others.
As we enjoying our first musical treats of the day the Clik Clik Collective, were busy playing dress up as they helped the festival goers capture those moments with a photo booth.
Lunatrix took to the aforementioned Hot Club De Swing stage and immediately kick started the party, with lead singer Abi Good whipping up a frenzy out front, the six piece combined jazz, electro swing and a touch of hip-hop to create an infectious sound, full of hooks and genuine sing-a-long moments such as a jazzy take on Hakuna Matata (from the Lion King). The crowd took the band’s early set and by the time they performed their recent EP’s hip-hop infused title track, Mr Sunshine the band had captured the hearts and feet of the well dressed. Further highlights included the cockney knees up of East Ham and the tongue in cheek risque Lack Of Tact as the band proved an early highlight.
As I wondered off to capture the first performance on The Swingamajig Stage, the other half popped in to capture some burlesque courtesy of Doe Demure in the Ragtime Records Stage.
Temple Funk Collective were well into their set as I hit the stage but as soon as I heard the seven-piece brass band unleash a funk driven rendition of the theme to Stringray followed quickly by a medley of the likes of No Limits and Boom Boom Boom, my feet took over and I joined the thong towards the front for a touch of booty shaking, the band continued a thrilling set of funked up covers taking in the likes of Stevie Wonder and James Brown along the way.
As the festivities continued we took a look in of some dancing as well catching an incredible, fun and quite frankly bonkers “Headphone Dance” by Corey Baker (courtesy of Birmingham Dance Festival) a performance that had to be seen to be believed.
Holy Moly And The Crackers were the next live band up and they added something a little different to the proceedings, the band played a contagious and edgy mix of gypsy folk, combining sawing violin to guitar strums and occasional blasts of trumpet to form an evocative yet darker base of songs taking in murder ballads, drugs and wanton women into their stunning set of folk based laments. Despite the more sinister undertones of the Newcastle based 6-pieces set, the audience still lapped up the likes of Cocaine, Lily and Swamp Dog Stomp, as Holy Moly And The Crackers provided a stunning, mesmeric alternative to the dance friendly electro swing.
A pit stop for a delicious sourdough based pizza and another waltz around site to take in more dancers, performers and a couple of songs by the folky blues slide guitar genius of Sam Green And The Midnight Heist before the glittery Balkan electroswing/gypsy/ska/funk infused heroes Mr Tea And The Minions took to stage with an infectious rendition of Hit The Road Jack, then pump up the crowd further with originals such as Beware Of The Bear, Break The Barriers and No Sugar among others, fusing their myriad of influences to the delight of the assembled masses, inciting universal dancing and applause aplenty.
A quick dash past a human statue and we’re back at Swingamajig stage to take in a stunning set of electro swing courtesy of the glamorous and dashing Little Violet, a seven piece combo that added glitz, funky organ and even a flute to a stunning set of swing and electro grooves delivering covers such as the disney classic, Never Had A Friend Like Me and delicious originals such as the foot tapping Charleston Boogie and Don’t Stop.
Jenova Collective continued the electro swing vibe over on the Hot Club Da Swing Stage with an added bit of ghetto dance, providing wonderful bass heavy set that opened with a stirring rendition of Diamonds Are A Girl Best Friend (reminiscent of the thobbing electro version in Moulin Rouge!!!) followed by the aptly titled Get On Down (and there certainly were a great deal of folk doing just that!!) and a brilliant, instantly memorable original entitled Beginning of Something New.
Back across the site The Renegade Brass Band were dazzling one and all with a combination of funked up brass, jazzy breaks and free flowing hip-hop lyrics making the the gathered crowd strut and throw there best gangster shapes whilst the band laid down the likes of Take No Chances, Make No Changes and Just Business.
Following on from another quick break to take in the sights and sounds of the festival, along with another bite to eat we returned to the live arena to catch some of the massive gypsy folk ensemble The Destroyers, who merge swinging horns, violins, accordians, hollered vocals, infectious rhythms and big hooks. The Swingamajig stage like the rest of the festival was heaving at this point and everyone seemed to be embracing the upbeat gypsy sound of The Destroyers.
By now the DJ’s had kicked off their various sets and once again, much like the live music, the record mixers had the crowd throwing shapes and setting the dance floor ablaze with a variety of cool grooves, funked up floor fillers and throbbing electro classics.
We had time for one more band before heading home, Ragtime Records and Birmingham’s very own The Electric Swing Circus, that included Swingamajig organiser Tom Hyland among their number. Now as you’d expect for a local band, they seemed to draw in pretty much everyone to their performance and what a performance, the six piece welded throbbing electro beats and synths to a glorious retro swing sound to create the ultimate party atmosphere. Dual lead singers Bridget and Laura pumped the atmosphere further, whilst Tom Hyland and the rest of the band looked on proud as punch as the crowd whooped and hollered for more (yes they even played an encore). Highlights came thick and fast with the likes of Bella Belle, Valentine and Swingamajig (that’s where the festival name comes from fact fans!!) had the crowd pulsating (even inciting crowd surfing, a first for a swing gig surely), whilst a glorious jazzy yet unusually arranged Minnie The Moocher instantly hit a chord with this writer.
And so as The Electric Swing Circus brought the Swingamajig stage to a close the weary yet exhilarated Rhythm & Booze team decided to rest those aching feet and took our leave as the festivities raged on with the likes of Molotov Jukebox and Bobby Friction, Madame Electrifie and The Fresh Dixie Project brought in a new day.
Swingamajig is a blast from start to finish, like I said at the opening of this write-up, words don’t really do justice how much fun we had during the duration of the event, the music was intoxicating, the atmosphere electric and the audience, well let’s just say that the sharp dressed guys and gals helped create the most memorable festival that I’ve attented. So here’s to the organisers and to the next one!!!
www.swingamajig.co.uk
Words Will Munn
Photos Graham Munn
