Firstly – I had a great time. As a stalwart of late 70’s and early 80’s festivals the line-ups, atmosphere and spirit was superb! It really was a festival for real classic rock fans. I’ll get the negatives out of the way first. Low volume and variable sound quality – Couldn’t find the ‘Victoria’ Real Ale pub (managed a few ales from the central tent bar before they ran out, but I assume there was a hiccup in the planning?) – Hammer stage too close to the Prog stage (more distance or screens next time?).

Yet the positives were many. The food choice was great and the stalls were varied and interesting (not sure how the fairground stalls fared financially, though).

Day 1 – planted myself at the Prog stage and saw a very competent opening from TOUCHSTONE (a shame the ‘Arcade Fire’ PA tape loop covered Mr Iron’s intro to Wintercoast. PENDRAGON were a very pleasant surprise and great fun – good power-driving prog! Managed to switch to the main stage to see THE UNION – earnest, but underwhelming (they may work better when you listen to the CD at home?). THE ANSWER were a highlight and while I’ve seen them play a better set, they rocked well! Back at the Prog stage I saw a competent FOCUS performance – although it felt like a tribute band at times. BIG ELF took time for me to catch onto their style, but I was gradually converted and enjoyed them and they show up better live than on the latest studio offering. GARY MOORE was a major disappointment – lethargic, slow and lacking any bite at all. Oh dear – a bit of a dinosaur really even for us BOFs! A quick run back to see DWEEZIL ZAPPA and what a surprise – great songs, zany performances and superb musicianship – the surprise of the weekend! Got to the front to see a first class ASIA performance of the classic 1st album. Carl and Steve seemed renewed and while John’s vocals couldn’t quite roll back the years, it was a thoroughly enjoyable and professional performance. Unfortunately had to miss Foreigner and the Heaven and Hell Tribute (as well as Saxon) so the band clashes were a real shame, but I’m pleased I stuck around for a wonderful TRANSATLANTIC final performance of the Whirlwind (and a great appearance by Mr Hackett to boot!). As with the album the piece flows over you at times, but it’s so great to see Neal Morse rockin’ once again! Thoroughly worn out and while I tried to catch up on ZZ Top on the main stage at the end, I found them rather predictable and flat even on the more famous songs, so I apologise for sneaking off early to get the train back to the Sister-in-Law’s House in Peckham Rye (after eventualy finding Bethnal Green tube – that’s a northerner for you!)

Day 2 thankfully less hot, but another solid start from THE REASONING on the Prog stage. Not sure about the punky backing singer, but the performance was very enjoyableand sadly a touch brief. MARTIN TURNER’S WISHBONE ASH performed Argus and other classic tracks surprisingly well and nice to see Ted again. What a classic album that is. STEVE HACKETT was a real highlight but sadly far too short in terms of set-time (am I missing something about Nick Beggs though, or is it just some in-joke amongst the musos?). Sadly I had to miss UFO and all but the lasy song of BACHMAN & TURNER, so I hope they were okay. MAGNUM and I go back to Kingdom of Madness and the support to Whitesnake, so I was initially saddened to see them show their age and focus on newer material than the many classics they can offer. However, after bringing tears to my eyes with Les Morts Dansant, I was gradually won over. Don’t forget the past, Tony, especially on a festival spot. Had to rush over to see JOE BONAMASSA deliver the performance of the festival on the main stage – awesome is an understatement and Sloe Gin was immaculate (Mr Moore take note). Unfortunately it meant that only catching a couple of ARGENT songs and no Uriah Heep at all (bloody clashes again!) Same goes for OPETH, who I was willing to give a chance and ignore the death metal vocals but couldn’t make it. As I was determined to get as close to the front for ELP, I had to go for DOWN ‘N’ OUTZ over Marillion (although I’m no great fan of the current version). Joe Elliott did a competent selling job on Ian Hunter’s back catalogue, but why did he wait so long to bring on the grand old man himself. Didn’t agree with Ian missing out on one more song, but you needed to lose a song or two earlier, Joe, once you knew time was short.

That leaves me with ELP – and I have to say that I thoroughally enjoyed the show despite the problems with the sound, Greg’s girth and slight petulance (“feedback…feedback…!) and not always the best set list choices (Bitches Crystal?). But when Keith warmed up things really got going, although for me it was Carl who drove the band to a great climax and a great end to a great festival.

I do hope HIGH VOLTAGE happens again – it promises to be a highlight in the calendar from now on. The crowd size was perfect for us fans, but I just hope it’s enough for the organisers to shift a decent profit for their efforts. Don’t mind there being a Hammer stage for the hard core, but try to keep out the younger Nu-Metal idiots, please! Finally, any thought of running a smaller Prog only festival as well – as it was a real joy to see bands platying thoughtful music to an older appreciative audience. If finances stop HIGH VOLTAGE 2011, at least see if a PROG event can be run.

All-in-all 10/10 for effort, 8/10 for delivery, 5/10 for sound and 10/10 for giving a late 40’s guy some great memories for his dotage!

Cheers and keep rockin’!

I’m sure like many people we all have our favourites. Yes I saw UFO and they were great and I loved Phil Mogg’s banter when Vinnie Moore was having problems with his amps as for Bachman Turner i’m afraid I didn’t see them so I cannot comment. The upshot is yes we were all at the same festival but surely we don’t all have to like the same things. That’s what makes an event like this so special, you can pick and choose what you want to see and hopefully everyone goes away with a smile on their face. I certainly did. I’m a huge fan of many different types of rock music but i know some people like to be devisive when it comes to styles of music. I went with someone for instance who pretty much never left the metal stage all weekend because ‘everything else kinda sucks’ (his comments not mine) I’m not a big fan of that attitude. I think it was a great oppurtunity for people to perhaps listen to some bands they might not have seen otherwise as well as seeing some of your own favourites and long may it continue, but just because ‘My Highlights’ don’t match yours doesn’t make them any more or any less relevant. See you at the front next year.