The Whybirds, Fishwives Broadside, Bill McCarthy.

Bedford Esquires Lev 2. Friday 4th October 2013.

Tonight marks the start of a two day free admission music festival and book launch. It is presented by the author Dr Clive Hathaway Travis. It tells of his long and traumatic personal voyage through paranoid schizophrenia and the title is "Looking for Prince Charles' dog". It is available to purchase from Clive on both nights and hopefully he sold plenty of copies.

The live music starts with BILL MCCARTHY . Although born in Ireland, he now lives in Bedford. This genial acoustic gentleman entertains the early arrivals with a few well known Irish covers. His warm humour is also worthy of note, especially when telling us that "Song for Ireland" was in fact written by an Englishman! On "Paddy's green shamrock shore" he is assisted by Martin, who is adept on the bodhran. His rendition of the classic "Fields of Athenry" is superb, but unfortunately performing "Fairytale of New York" in early October is a puzzling choice and doesn't really work very well.

Raising the tempo quite considerably are FISHWIVES BROADSIDE . This eight (or was it nine?) piece collective offer up some quite eclectic tunes with a wide array of instruments. It's folk in a punky sort of way. They contain a couple of musicians from Bedford's rock history. Guitarist Paul Browne once of Viet Love, Straw Dogs, Dum Dum Boys, and Andy 'Driv' Driver ex-Tantra, Funhouse, Angel Trumpets And Devil Trombones and Man Jack Control. They, together with Fishwives compatriot Vicky Burnage, were also more recently part of The Glorious Old Bastard (what a great song "Ramblin man" was). Fishwives Broadside begin with "English mould". As with all their lyrics it is both witty and fantastically constructed. With Mr Driver resplendent in his Norman Wisdomesque flat cap, he gives it maximum force, bringing each song alive, especially when singing "I'm a 40 watt bulb in a 100 watt world". Wow! But hey, if you are "Surrounded by Germans again", would you want a "holiday in the sun"? "Love wars" is a moany carp about domestic disputes, "oh bitch"! Female vocals weave and dovetail so well on this. "Born again hooligan" emphasises that "nothing ever changes". "Billy Stupid's Circus" offers up an amusing controlled semi-rant.

A lot of their set tonight is taken from FB's much underrated recent album entitled "Come down to the underground in 21st century England". What does watching Fishwives Broadside conjure up for me? Well as a huge lover of the county of Cornwall, I could imagine the band playing at The Admiral Benbow in Chapel St, Penzance and getting a great reception from the Cornish locals. The lyrics are often rather fruity, especially on "Who's mad who's wrong". However, on a weekend when the annual Bedford Beer Festival is being held, our band ask a very pertinent question; "What do we do with a drunken singer?" "21st century" brings their enjoyable set to a close but they still have time for a quick encore with "Tickety boo" which claims that "everything is as cheap as chips". Huge fun.

The last couple of years has seen both change and turbulence affect the much-loved WHYBIRDS' nest. I freely admit that I have found it difficult watching them as a trio after fellow founder member Taff Thatcher left these shores for pastures new. Their sound has developed a more grungy, heavier feel which may have taken time for some fans to adjust. For this reviewer, tonight is their resurrection. There is, I think, a renewed vigour about The Whybirds' performance. Luke, Dave and Ben look to be on top form as they start strongly with "Before I let you down". This song, as with many from the set, is from the band's new third studio album "A little blood". Although quick to showcase this material, they are happy to acknowledge the past as songs such as "Jenny" and "Turn right" etc receive a welcome airing. "Girl is on fire" is always a pleasurable listen, but the whole show flows so well. As with all the musicians tonight, The Whybirds pay tribute to Dr Clive who is the reason that everyone is here. The good doctor must have been immensely proud of all the efforts put in and day 2 has a lot to live up to after this special show.