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Review: Ramblin' Man Fair at Mote Park, Maidstone

Rockers flocked to the second day of the Ramblin' Man Fair, which ended with a crowd-pleasing headline set from the Cult.

On another scorching day at Mote Park in Maidstone, the event secured further its place on the festival highlights calendar, with fans travelling from abroad to catch the action.

Now in its fourth year, the proceedings on day two were opened by the Connor Selby Band, led by fantastically talented Connor, who is only 20.

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Ramblin' Man Fair music festival at Mote Park, Maidstone. Picture: Sean Aidan
Ramblin' Man Fair music festival at Mote Park, Maidstone. Picture: Sean Aidan

His passion for blues shone through as he rattled through a collection of songs which best showed off his obvious aptitude for guitar and his incredible vocal range.

Making waves on the main stage were The Last Internationale.

These American rockers supported Robert Plant on a tour a few years back.

With highly charged and often political lyrics, singer Delila has one of the most powerful voices heard all weekend and she really did get the crowd going.

At one point she even jumped into the crowd and serenaded the audience, reducing one man to be rather tearful.

Blackbery Smoke at Ramblin' Man Fair music festival at Mote Park, Maidstone. Picture: Sean Aidan
Blackbery Smoke at Ramblin' Man Fair music festival at Mote Park, Maidstone. Picture: Sean Aidan
Ramblin' Man Fair music festival at Mote Park, Maidstone. Picture: Sean Aidan
Ramblin' Man Fair music festival at Mote Park, Maidstone. Picture: Sean Aidan
Ramblin' Man Fair music festival at Mote Park, Maidstone. Picture: Sean Aidan
Ramblin' Man Fair music festival at Mote Park, Maidstone. Picture: Sean Aidan

A sensational performance and certainly worthy of a higher spot on the line up in my opinion if they were to return.

Another highlight was the Kris Barras Band. Kris is an MMA fighter-turned-musician with a killer voice and incredible aptitude for his craft.

It was his second year at the festival, having played the Rising Stage last year. It’s no surprise that he returned, pulling a massive crowd.

The Prog Stage offered something a bit different.

Psychedelic rock band Goldray took the crowd's breath away.

With ex-Reef guitarist Kenwyn House and vocalist Leah Rasmussen, the band harks back to Kate Bush and Led Zeppelin with their ethereal yet powerful vocals and incredible costumes.

Blackbery Smoke at Ramblin' Man Fair music festival at Mote Park, Maidstone. Picture: Sean Aidan
Blackbery Smoke at Ramblin' Man Fair music festival at Mote Park, Maidstone. Picture: Sean Aidan

The band also have a Kent connection, having recorded some of their first album in Tunbridge Wells at The Granary. If you’re a fan of Florence and the Machine and early Pink Floyd, they are a must-listen.

Blackberry Smoke, from Atlanta in Georgia, were what you’d expect to have seen in the 70s rather than today, with a fantastic country rock sound.

Starting off with Fire in the Hole, they launched into a stomping set. One of many highlights was a brilliant cover of The Beatles’ Come Together, which was a pleasing yet surprising choice.

Next on at the main stage was Halestorm.

Lzzy Hale (not a typo…) was possibly one of the strongest vocalists of the weekend, with a deep and soulful vocal range which matched perfectly to the heavy rock.

Von Hertzen at Ramblin' Man Fair music festival at Mote Park, Maidstone. Picture: Sean Aidan
Von Hertzen at Ramblin' Man Fair music festival at Mote Park, Maidstone. Picture: Sean Aidan

Freak Like Me was a highlight, which got the crowd involved and got one of the biggest roars of appreciation from the crowd.

Having played in much larger venues than this, it was great to see newcomers to Maidstone really enjoying it as much as they did. They are returning to the UK in September.

Sunday headliners The Cult are legends.

This band has been around since the 80s and their dedicated fans are still just as enthusiastic about them as they have always been.

The band’s Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy have been in the group since the start and don’t seem to have got bored of it, pouring every ounce of energy into their performance as they kicked into Wild Flower opening the set.

They played exactly what the crowd wanted to hear, including GOAT and Spritwalker, making their biggest hit She Sells Sanctuary their encore.

Read a review of the opening day of the festival here.

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