Wowzers!! After a 2-year break Ipswich Music Day 2022 now in its 32nd year, was a complete success with huge crowds pouring into Christchurch Park for a music extravaganza!
Six stages hosted over 50 different acts and styles entertained the crowds in the sunshine, the only problem was to schedule your own time in order to see as many acts as possible and due to the calibre of acts, it was a hard decision.
The acts were a mixture of new and local talent showcasing their musical acumen and each stage was filled to the brim with talent.
The Grapevine Stage – a couple of last minute changes saw this acoustic stage kick off with the Horn Factory filling the start of music day with hard-hitting, foot-tapping contemporary big band jazz sounds. The acts which filled the rest of the day were all stunning and due the specific acoustic nature of this stage, the sound was delightful as it filled the tent with beautiful voices, harmonies and guitars. Including Belinda Gillet’s stunning vocals, Pete Hepworth’s gorgeous songs, Painting The Silence’s piano tracks and Rob Lewis’ mix of originals and dance-worthy covers.
The Monument Stage – included folk-rich sounds from This Circle Life and Wilswood Buoys and indie rock from Hemingway and Red Wine Talk. Each act on this stage gave the audience plenty of variety with their dreamscape sounds, alternative indie, symphonic rock pushing the crowds minds to new levels.
Suffolk New College Stage – showcased diversity with Dagaow and his afrobeats, up and coming young band Fuze with their alternative punk rock energy plus students from Suffolk New College showing off what they do best.
BBC Radio Suffolk Stage – probably the busiest stage of the day with host Wayne Bavin keeping the crowd at a high-octane level to match the artists who ranged from Harry Isaac Presley with his comedy Elvis tribute, incredible vocals from Hurricane Alley with their huge rock and pop repertoire and a superb performance from ska and reggae band The Downsetters.
Crossroads Stage – had amazing new bands who are sending ripples through the network, such as punk-indie duo Collars. There was indie-rock from young band Bluefeed, a band to look out for in the future is Jora The Fortuneteller, and the well-known Connor Adams, Reno & Rome and Lucky No 7 were all there doing their ‘thang’ fantastically.
Bowl Stage – had hard hitting rock sounds pumping out all day to a delighted crowd. A superb set from Renegade Twelve and new comers Tempus Frayed certainly managed to make a claim on who had the most energy! A great line-up and very difficult to leave this stage to seek the other stages out.
Every act on every stage performed their hearts out and made the day an incredible day for musical talent in the region. It was an amazing showcase for every act and no-one disappointed.
As well as the stages, there was plenty going on in the Christchurch Mansion, the Masonic Hall and both St Margaret’s & Bethesda Baptist Churches from poetry, choirs, children’s book group, brass band, singers and a symphony orchestra.
And if that’s not enough there were multiple food and drink stands, fun fair rides, craft stands and plenty of room in the park for everyone to enjoy the day.
With the Ipswich Jazz & Global Rhythm 2022 the day before, this first weekend in July has been a total success and a huge thanks to Ipswich Council for putting on these free events.
Photo credit SAS Astro
This review first appeared on GrapevineLIVE