Music / Review
Review: The Legends Festival, Blaise Castle – ‘A cheerful celebration of the music which brings us together’
It’s not every day that four music icons perform in the far reaches of North Bristol, but last weekend some of ‘the world’s best tribute acts’ brought a taste of pop, reggae and rock royalty to Blaise Castle.
The line-up crossed genres and generations with tributes to P!nk, Elvis, Bob Marley and Queen getting the whole family on their feet.
Although at first glance the audience could easily be mistaken for a camping chair convention, once the stars took to stage, the crowd flocked to them, decked out in cowgirl hats, sequin trilbies, Hawaiian necklaces and blow-up microphones.
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For all its cheese and cliches, The Legends Festival’s acts brought the oomph needed to charge up the atmosphere and for the crowd to leave their inhibitions at the entrance gates.
Lee Memphis King’s Elvis had women screaming ‘I love you!’ as he wiggled, snarled and held iconic karate poses, although the magic was somewhat lost when he dropped his impersonation between songs.
As the sun set, Legend Live got everyone grooving, harnessing the sound of Bob Marley’s pioneering and timeless reggae tunes. Michael Anton Phillip’s charismatic performance tapped into the spirit of the Soul Rebel singer.
Legend Live treats the crowd to some of Bob Marley’s back catalogue. Credit: Ella Calland
Their voices could also carry the anthems; Vicky Jackson emulated P!nk’s unique raspy powerhouse tones and UK Queen’s Alexander Koronka moved seamlessly from Freddie Mercury’s deep growls to his soaring high-pitched notes.
Commenting on the charm of The Legends Festival, UK Queen’s Alexander Koronka said:
“(At Legends) everyone is working towards a great experience for the crowd. Bristol was awesome. They really know how to rock.
“I love being close enough to have direct eye contact with people. Last night I gave a shout out to a young lad called Stanton with his parents in the front row. Love how live music spans all the generations.”
This small festival, with a modest stage and best of all, almost no bar queues, was a joyous celebration of the music which brings us together. The evening felt like a care-free simulation of the thrill of truly seeing these music icons live.
The festival bought everyone together. Credit: Ella Calland
In its best moments, couples slow danced to the sultry tones of Elvis’ Suspicious Minds, people rose up onto friends’ shoulders to Bob Marley’s One Love, and families lost their minds to Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
If you squint your eyes, and suspend your disbelief (potentially with the help of a few pints) you can feel the force and relive the magic of some of the world’s true music legends – I’d take them over a hologram any day!
Main photo: Ella Calland
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