It's All Too Much :: Reviews of Beatleweek 2004

It felt strange not starting BW on a Thursday like I normally do, but I'd got tickets for Madonna at Wembley Arena and I wanted to see her at least once in her career. She was excellent and I even got into the Beatle mood as she sang "Imagine".

I had planned my train to arrive in time for me to rush to my room drop off my stuff and got to the Comedy Club. I had not planned for the new Unite keys and strange room numbering system nor for the fact that I'd been given the wrong key and walked into a room to be confronted by a very surprised naked German! In spite of all these mishaps, I think the Unite will be a great place for convention goers and bands to stay in - although I do miss the North Western Foyer and the view I had of St George's Hall. Anyway, almost an hour later than planned I joined the Friday crew at the front of the stage (where else!) all ready to start the Convention proper.I like Friday's shows as everyone is still fresh and got their voices etc. I actually went out for a meal and it was nice to have a good chat about conventions past and present and see what bands to look out for. Anyway, here's some of my highlights from the week.

Fave new band: Acustika. This girl band was from Brazil and I liked their interpretation of rock songs. They're "Corrs with attitude!" Their CD is good too and I recommend it. I love their versions of "Because The Night" and "Born To Be Wild" The classic show was on Convention day in the Crosby Room which is usually a mix of Conventioneers and locals all dressed up and with their kids. Watching most of the audience trying to work out which Beatle album "Unforgiven" by Metallica and "Tom Sawyer" by Rush came from ("oh yes, that must be Revolution from the White album") or seeing their jaw drop when Jane Soren played the first bars on "Smoke On The Water" on the violin was hilarious. Eat your heart out Nigel Kennedy. They are all pretty and many a female eyed singer Tayana's perfect, tanned washboard stomach with envy, but they're really friendly and were happy to pose for pictures and chat and went all girly when they saw Gilly's Paul because they thought he looked like Axel Rose.

Memorable Event - Instant Karma's Bed-In/Cuttings show. I'd seen a programme a couple of weeks ago on BBC about Yoko's original Cutting show and was going to miss her new event at the Tate Gallery, so it was great to be able to be involved in this one. I just love Victoria's interpretation of Yoko. She makes her so loveable. There was great charisma between her and Jon Keats, it was like watching a sit-com - with Bill Heckle as the accident-prone neighbour (don't worry Bill, you weren't the only one who thought she was wearing a wig and those ends needed a trim anyway).

Best Party Bands: Overtures, Repeatles, Ringer. Always entertaining and nice to hear other songs apart from Beatles once in a while.

Most Varied Set-lists - Fab Faux (both Monday & Tuesday nights). There seemed to be a tendency this year to stick to the same set lists. Jan from the Repeatles actually apologised for playing the same set in the Adelphi as they had played in the Cavern an hour or so earlier,but as he explained, time was too short to start re-tuning instruments (true, the time keeping this year was excellent). I found that the sets played in the Cavern were more innovative. I saw Liverpool in the Cavern Back for the first time and thought it was the best one they played all week. They'd played songs I haven't heard for ages and there was more audience interaction (okay, so most of the crowd at the front were locals and/or female, but it was a nice crowd once you got to know them). The atmosphere there was good and the bands were more relaxed (who wasn't in that heat!) and bands like the Winnery's and even Fab Faux were known to play more than 2 encores.

Best New Line-ups - Overtures and Clube Big Beatles. I'd seen Overtures shows with Jamie & Phil before and know what they're capable of. I still have fond memories of Andy Cat and me standing "shocked and stunned" during "Baby Please Don't Go" & "Pinball Wizzard" in a pub in Walthamstow. I wondered if Clube Big Beatles would be any good without Saulo, but Leo is a good replacement. He is actually Babi's nephew so has played in the band informally for years and filled in for Saulo before, so it seemed natural for him to take over full time. I loved their jazzy version of Eleanor Rigby and put me in the mood for seeing Mad Dogs (who were great)In both bands a change, although tough, has worked out well, giving them both fresh ideas and changing the dynamics of the group. Both seemed happier both on the stage and chatting with them afterwards.

CCT Heroes - Neil for saving the set for God Save The Queen at Pier Head. Poor Pablo Freddie had picked up a throat infection on the way from Argentina and you could hear his voice going (no famous Freddie falsettos) and see how anxious he was. They could have cut their set early, but Neil started a singalong to Bohemian Rhapsody (complete with Wayne's World-style head banging) and We Will Rock You. I saw him singing on Tuesday with Acoustika, complete with Freddy's 70's "bob" and he was on fine form. Another CCT Hero was Stevie P. Usually the bridesmaid never the bride to Sir Neil, this was the year he stole the show at the Cavern. coming on to the stage to show off his dance routines ( a cross between MC Hammer & David Brent) and making sure that the word Sausage (or Saus-swage if you weren't in the cheap seats) was imprinted firmly in your brain by the time you went home.

Best Convention Act: British Export's "Ringo" doing Photograph with Tim Piper, Gavin and Lawrence during Tim Piper's Fantasy Reunion show.

Most annoying thing at Convention - Standing at the front of the stage and not able to move as people being you have got their camcorders practically stuck in your back. People who come and stand in front of you to take a picture and don't move back. If you want to stand at the front of the stage for your favourite band, then get there early, like all the regular Conventioneers do.

Most heard songs: Revolution, Nowhere Man, Something.

Songs I didn't hear at all: Revolution No. 9, In Spite Of All The Danger ;D

Bands I didn't see enough of : Winnerys, Prellies, Repeatles, Beatbrothers, Mad Dogs.

Thanks to - Nina for all the work on the programme & this website. Just doing one band took me almost a day, God knows how long you spend putting the whole lot together! All you TWILer's, for being there each year. It's the friends I meet there each year that really make it extra special.

Laura Wurzal