Preston Riversway Festival - Sonic Vista Music Stage Sunday 26th July 2009.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 28 July 2009 16:29 Written by Pete Loxham
IT at Riversway
An overcast sky couldn't spoil the plethora of local and international music talent on show at Sunday's Riversway Festival in Preston. Locally based Indie label Sonic Vista hosted 8 hours of continuous live music with free entrance.
With a stage immaculately presented and a top notch PA the areas top talent were able to share the stage with the likes of London based singer/songwriter Andy Stedman and Hull's Man-made Noise who are both shortly embarking on far eastern tours to China and Japan respectively. Man-made Noise went down a storm with some esoteric yet enigmatic compositions combined with liberal use of a looping pedal and East Yorkshire wit. Local artist Dan Wilde had opened up the show with some impressive songs and lyrics suggesting that if this was the opening act then we were in for something really special. Progressive rock band IT hailing from both Canada and London impressed with a short acoustic set featuring tracks from their recently released CD/DVD double pack 'Departure'. The combination of acoustic guitar and Les Paul made for an almost Gilmouresque experience.
Alex Hulme, Switchboard Spectacular, The Empire State and The Bear Around Your Neck were all impressive and didn't look out of place on the big stage. Steven Buckley and the Feverdreamers failed to connect with the audience and although Lisa Albanese started well there was little variation in her delivery.
However, it was local acts Steph Fraser (Blackpool) and Mobius Loop (Preston) who really stole the show. Steph with her new 3 piece band really wowed the crowd performing tracks from her recent 'Pretend' single release. She was so well received that queues to purchase her CD started to form as soon as she came off stage.
Mobius Loop also got a great reception. Their blend of Reggae and Acoustic Bass/Banjo/Horn rhythms, coupled with some interesting vocal interplay, were fascinating to watch and listen to for such a young outfit. Shades of Mariachi El Bronx too. Electro is history. You heard it here first.
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