As a band, we go under the name of Chasteberry and recently had great success with our performance at the Bickerstock Music Festival. This is all put together and organised by a very nice guy named Paul Draper (of Dead Frog Studios in Bickerstaffe) who ensures the smooth running of everything (well, as much as is possible!) and who donates all proceeds to a local charity. Joining us for the gig were Roy Webb on slide guitar and Jennifer Murphy on vocals/keyboard. We were praying it wouldn't rain which was a bit of a long shot - given that it had hardly stopped in the weeks prior to the gig - and turned up for our sound check the night before the gig to find Paul only just starting to erect the staging etc! The powers that be had been reluctant to allow the gig to take place (the grass was extremely sodden) but Paul had dug his heels in (not in the sodden grass you understand) and said, 'By golly it will!' - or something to that effect.

Consequently and because of the hold up this all caused, we didn't get a sound check that night but Gaz and Roy got to help Paul with the staging and everything (which was kept as far away from the grass as possible) and were there until around 11.30 pm! Well, it was all in a good cause and we didn't have to pay for our very nice veggie food the next day as a thanks. Well it didn't rain (it was actually sunny and lovely!) and we had a great gig. Everyone enjoyed the set and we had some great feedback. The other bands also performed well and we thoroughly enjoyed the day. Can't wait for next year to do it all again.

To find out more about the Bickerstock festival and the artists who performed there this year, click on the Bickerstock image at the top of the article.

Chasteberry Performing @ Bickerstock