The SWMTF Fest at the Padington. Sunday May 4th.

(May The Fourth Be With You!)

Long Long ago in a galaxy far far away well The Paddington public house, between the planets, Ashburnham and Midland Road Bedford. The Sid Worth Memorial Tribute Fund held their two stages of live free music gig which looks set to be an annual event from now on.

91 Pieces kicked off the proceedings and it wouldnt be a Bedford gig without them, if you missed them catch them at Cravenfest, Dannys Bar, The River Fest, The October SWMTF gig, Esquires, Esquires Xmas fest etc. 70s punk with a fun embellished streak.

No stranger to the Paddington and all round good guy Matt Roberts Acoustically tunes his ware, this time with Kerry Hodgkin doubling up at the side room put aside for acoustic sets.

With enough long hair to coat Chewbacca him self the lead singer of Apex growls his Nirvana like grunge on the main stage including a Led Zep cover, which went down well and some great rocking out numbers of their own. First time visitors to the venue but regulars at the jam sessions in Luton perhaps they should combine the best of both and try Matt Roberts jam sesh at The Paddington one Wednesday evening?

Young Dan Short and lil Danny Young provided separate acoustic sets in the next room, good guitar players, very good singing voices and good choices of mostly self written songs. I half expected Danny Young to run round and climb round the furniture like his HeKz band persona, but stayed rooted to his chair for the performance.

Bedford stalwarts The Dilenquents (and yes they do spell it like that!) next, with Misfits styled punk vibes overshadowed by guitarist Robbie Millers unswervingly eye catching pink guitar strap and Jay the bassists green trousers looking somewhat like a bat man villain adding to the show and a chance to play later on also.

Coarse followed and were enjoyed by all and made me begin to feel every band on the bill really deserved to be playing on this line-up. The band are always grateful for gigs and mentioned that the fund had once provided for their band in its early days so were pleased to play the show. They played some well honed rock sounds that attracted an appreciative audience.

Over on the acoustic planet Carlos and Jonny who were one of the few acts this reviewer had not come across before put on a duet of acoustic laden numbers. This room was quite a relaxed atmosphere with audiences standing, sitting on the floor like an assembly of fest goers or parking themselves on the chairs and tables at the back.

Right lets get lively now with a set of bands bound to get the adrenalin flowing, - Ex Nihilo, enjoyed by the Sid teams Philippa at a Bedford Metal gig last year, heavy but melodic metal with a very good front man in his stride, chatting with the audience between songs and adding to the well enjoyed gig. This band had also mentioned to me that they had heard of what the SWMTF team are about and felt proud to be doing a gig for them. With waves of flowing, bubbly, hair Jonny Guns on guitar, put in his usual huge performance along with a pounding drum beat warming the crowd up nicely.

No rest for Jonny Guns as he is also in the next band, - Slave To Nature who lately have been gigging more furiously than a storm trooper assault! I thought it was good of them to stop and say something about why we were here and a nod of respect to Sid Worth and the fund. Their anthem like melodic tunes and live young talent show what gig enjoyment is all about.

Just as a light sabre can slice you in two, over in acoustics, half of Valentone in the form of Dan and Joel put on a well played set. Clever guitar work with passion and integral verve, these also are no strangers to the Paddington and avail them selves of the jam sessions on a regular basis.

I had seen some of the talented out put of Sam Miller at The Beds Arms Tuesday open mic. Before and here he played an acoustic set to an appreciative audience as the evening started drawing in and people from the chill out garden area started coming in to see him. Ewok hot dogs or Jaba the Hut burgers in the Barbie were available outside during the event where people could sit and relax between the choice of bands inside.

The Radiating Eyes were one of the highlights for younger fans, they havent had many gigs and felt it was a shame that some members of the all too experienced Dilenquents (among their other bands) were sharing some of their set, - get off and leave it to the new band to make its mark! Radiating Eyes have a horror punk feel vibe and a remarkably technically able guitarist in the form of dazzling Dazz who played in no less than three different sets during the fest. The fans took to the floor with full energy and the band put everything in to their performance.

Out of all the bands it seemed to be Minimal Damages show. Awarded the slot through being the lucky winners of Bedford Metals Battle Of The Bands and with their River Fest slot to come and 400 studio costs for an upcoming C.D. they look set to take the scene by storm and here they did just that, with another award going to most liveliest jumping, bopping, skanking, dance ska band on the bill. A brass section added a refreshing change to the music heard so far and a party like vibe was had by all who saw.

Bedford luminaries Furgus and Robby were over in acoustics, regular players and you have either seen them before or will again if you go to too many Bedford events.

One of the highlights of the evening was the lovely Amy Lee with amazing singing and acoustic guitar playing wowing a busy room to her talent and such a well played set and for one number being accompanied by Dazz Warr making another of his appearances on the bill.

Moonshine seemed to take ages setting up, and when they finally finished seemed to be playing covers with their backs to the audience. Well played songs nonetheless, but with younger bands putting more of a show with their original material gave these a run for their money. The older crowd pushed their way forward and poked and growled at any one in their way, they might have been better off at the back of the stage, at least they could then have faced the band.

John Verity, Max Milligan and Jeff Dakin seemed quite entertaining and added other instruments and sounds in to the mix, wouldnt mind seeing more of these while Full Circle played to a captive audience and did not seem to want to get off and kept doing one more song which pleased their crowd.

The return of The Dilenquents ended the show and made a welcome grand finale, although the pink guitar strap containing Robby Miller was replaced with Hair sprays second biggest customer next to America - Dazz Warrs third appearance on stage, (Mmm this is turning in to a bit of a Dazz Fest) he certainly did well in filling in on guitar as a quick replacement.

Well the event went really well, sorry if I missed anyone, but Im not as omni-present as Obi Won Kenobi. A big thanks to all who played, came and supported and a big up-yours to whoever made off with one of the collection tins for this worthy charity for bands on the local scene, although I very much doubt if they were music fans, or supporters of the scene who would actually be reading this. (142.56 was raised in the end).

For more info on the Sid Worth Memorial Trust Fund go to - http://www.swmtf.org.uk/

Keith www.bedfordmetal.co.uk