Wild Fields Day One
It is day one of WILD FIELDS, “a socially conscious, groundbreaking festival, showcasing the best music from across the genre spectrum”, so I head to Earlham Park.
First impressions are good. The staff are friendly and efficient and the arena area is well laid out. In fact, those initial impressions are borne out throughout the rest of the day. The main stage is a decent size, with decent sound for every act, something that isn’t always easy to pull off in the open air. The sound isn’t quite as good at the second stage, the Climate Live Bus: the performers are on the top deck of a bus and, for some reason, the sound gets better as one moves away from the bus.
Local singer-songwriter Zamani Fitri kicks things off. An enthusiastic and confident performer with a strong voice, Zamani does nowt new but he does it well. The Ben Howard cover gives an idea of the sound he is aiming for and, whilst it might be a lazy comparison, early Sheeran isn’t that far away either.
Over to the main stage for Sam Eagle and band. Sam is in fine voice and his band hit that tight-but-loose sweet-spot in a set that is trippier and, well, funkier than the previous times that I have caught him
Vocalist/guitarist Nectar Woode is a new name to me. Backed up by Amy on keys, Tulisa on drums and Allie on bass, she delivers a set of jazzy soul-pop. Now this is really not my usual thing but Nectar has a cracking voice, she is a warm and engaging frontwoman, the songs are well crafted, the band are tight and they let the songs breathe.
Back at the Climate Bus for Esme Emerson. Named for the singing sister/guitar playing brother, the band have to make some changes to their set as their drummer is stuck in traffic. Songwise, it is a touch early Taylor Swift and the delivery is slightly kooky. Even when drummer Seb arrives, I’m not loving what they do but I’ll be happy to give ‘em a second chance.
On paper, Yazmin Lacey is the act I am least likely to like. Smooth, soulful RnB really is not my usual thing. And yet I am pretty well blown away by this powerful, charismatic performer. There are occasional post-punk and post-rock flourishes to the guitar and the bass comes close to dub. Having never heard of Lacey, I am surprised that there are several people around me singing along word perfectly but it’s understandable.
Wearing a spectacular if weather inappropriate faux fur hat, I.Am.Afiyah’s mix of indie and soul is really rather good. It is somehow utterly contemporary whilst but having a woozy 60s/70s vibe and Touareg desert blues feel.
I miss the first 15 minutes of Daptone recording artist Jalen Ngonda’s set and arrive at the main stage in time for a crowd singalong. For the most part, he and his rhythm section play old-school soul, whilst an entirely solo segment goes into early electric blues territory. He may not be in the same league (yet) and doesn’t sound (much) like either but there are hints of the charisma of James Brown and Prince.
Nectar Woode’s “stripped down” set on the Climate Bus is a full band set and is pretty similar to the impressive set she and band played earlier. Yet, somehow it sounds and feels better. Maybe that is down to the taco I’ve just eaten? So, it is a bit of a wrench to head to the main stage to get a prime spot for Nubiya Garcia. Garcia and her band are amazing musicians. Playing a thoroughly modern take on jazz, Garcia allows her band to shine, on occasion putting the sax down to dance ecstatically during the keys, bass and drum solos.
Sampa the Great’s set is arguably more a dance performance than a traditional gig. All of the music is pre-recorded, including backing vocals, vocals from collaborators and spoken word pieces, with only Sampa’s vox being live. For all that, this is one of my performances of the day. With Sampa joined by four dancers, it is heavily choreographed but both the music and the show enthral.
Santa Rita’s soulful, laidback alt.country-delta-blues-rock is almost tailor-made to be witnessed in a field in the gloaming. The five piece seem to get better every time I see them.
Ezra Collective are the main reason I am here. The only act on the bill I own anything by and (other than Santa Rita and Sam Eagle) the only act I knew anything by before today. Describing themselves as afrobeat jazz, there are also hints of ska and dub. Their’s is a high energy set that is received enthusiastically. If I am being honest, it is not quite the explosive show I was expecting. The chats between songs are long and, entertaining as some of them are, kinda derail things for me. Don’t get me wrong, Ezra Collective are very good live and Life Goes On - featuring Sampa The Great - is one of the highlights of my day.
All in all, day 1 of the first Wild Fields is a success and I’m looking forward to doing it all again tomorrow.
FULL PHOTO GALLERY HERE
