This time of year is bloody bleak. I’m pretty sure I haven’t walked the dog in either sunshine or without being soaked by the elements. Okay, so it’s a fairly first-world whinge given what’s going on elsewhere, but I live in the so-called first world, so please don’t write in. That said, there has been a clear herald of summer sighted this week. Numerous festivals have either announced line-ups or added to them, and that gives the bedraggled dog walker something to hang onto. And a couple of them are personal favourites.
Red Rooster festival has just announced a whole slew of names that have been added to a strong lineup already announced. There will be a separate news story this week with all the details, and Rupert Orton, head honcho at the Rooster Shack, will be chatting with me on next week’s podcast. As a headline, some of those added include The Handsome Family, Valerie June, Jack Browning, Will Varley and Kassi Valzza, to name but a handful. And Maverick Festival has announced a cracking line-up, which will again appear in a separate news story, and features the likes of Rose’s Pawn Shop, Be de la Cour, The Vandoliers, Leeroy Stagger, and Waco Brothers, amongst many more.
So time to start getting the van ready and making sure that the lawn chairs will survive another year of being abused. Sorting out the must-haves – decent boots and pants from the not-so-important – bedding and crockery. There’s a while to go, but already I’m beginning to feel that slight spark of excitement. And that’s what’s keeping me warm as I trudge through yet another flooded field in search of a dog more mud than fur…
During my trudge, I have been listening to lots, but I keep coming back to Courtney Marie Andrews, who I’m massively looking forward to seeing on Friday this week, and to Rickie Lee Jones, who is a constant source of joy. The radio show this week featured Dusty in Memphis as the classic album, and also featured a track-by-track rundown of my top ten. As ever…
