Another great Gretton Music Festival

My family and I enjoyed another great August Bank Holiday weekend of entertainment courtesy of the Gretton Music Festival.

Despite rain of Biblical proportions on the Saturday afternoon - which resulted in the hog roast having to be rescued lest it be swept away in the flood - all the events were well attended.

My favourites of the weekend were the Musical Marquee on Saturday afternoon, where we were treated to a variety of singers performing - yet again Kara Hamer provided 'goosebump' moments with her stunning interpretations of Snow Patrol's 'Run' and Josh Groban's 'You Raise Me Up'.  Hard to believe that a 15-year old can sing like that, she's amazing.

Mark Thompson entertained the crowd with his Rat Pack set Shades Of Sinatra, and was also the lead singer of The Top Banana Band charity fundraiser gig on Sunday night, as well as MCing the open mic event at The Hatton Arms on the Monday afternoon.  He was certainly kept very busy!

At the Open Mic event we listened to a wide range of performances - stand-out acts for me included a rock band of youngsters called Unpredictable, who were brilliant.  I'm not sure, but they must have all been aged 16 or under.

They performed Pink Floyd's 'Another Brick in the Wall', which seemed quite appropriate coming from kids that young, and also the Red Hot Chili Peppers' 'Under the Bridge', a very-rocked up version of Nina Simone's 'Feeling Good', and encored with Bon Jovi's 'Living on a Prayer' which they encouraged us to sing along to, something in hindsight they may have regretted!

We were also entertained by a trio called Post Hatton, who provided another 'goosebump' moment with their version of Adele's 'Hello', and a folk band who I think were called Soundbase who played a variety of violins, guitars, mandolins and a box. 

All very different, but all very talented.  Thanks to all the venues and the organisers, and especially to Terry Forsey who's now stepping down after seven successful years at the helm.