Rye Goes Rock 2009...

This past Saturday saw the 4th annual RYE GOES ROCK festival, once again raising money and awareness for ARRCC (Activities Respite Rehabilitation Care Centre).

The scene was set for a fantastic day of live music and fun in the sun and the organisers and bands did not let us down.  There was an excellent line-up of local bands playing a wide range of music for all tastes.  The weather was beautiful and the new location of Rye Rugby Club and their Pitches made a magnificant venue.  The only downer on a wonderful day was the low level of support that the festival received.  Unfortunately, the event was possibly hampered by it´s clash with a British Lions Rugby Test Match, an England Rugby Match and the world´s greatest club football competition - the FA Cup all being televised throughout the day.

Anyway, the show must go on and that it did... The music kicked off at 1:00pm with two local college bands, Wired and The Hour, both of whom got the days music of to a blinder.  Both groups were made up of some very capable and talented young musicians who got the blood pumping ready for the day ahead.  More experienced Rockers Rizen then took to the stage with some cracking renditions of some old rock classics!  The day and evening continued with all of these well-known local bands taking their turn in entertaining the watching public with some excellent live music: Ol´ Boots & Blisters, Pass the Cat, Gigspanner, The Blox and Soul X Press.  We could not fault any of the artistes for their effort, ability and sheer entertainment, everyone of them kept the audience singing and dancing along all day.  However, we have to make the point that the following two bands really caught Xango!´s eyes, and ears for that matter, and stole the show: Dirty Scarlet and The Black Sheep (formerly Dr Sin).

Dirty Scarlet took to the stage at around 4:30pm and rocked hard for an hour with some fantastic vocals from Kate Maunsell which only got better as the band´s set thundered on.  Chris Rhoades, however, took the set by storm with a wonderful guitar performance - an instrument that he clealry plays with a passion.  And with solid Bass playing and drumming by Steve Hazelton and Darren Barnes respectively the group produced a fantastic set that got the crowd going so much so that we were left asking for more, for which Dirty Scarlet happily obliged.  If you get the chance to see this band in the near future... Take it!

The Black Sheep were well known as Dr Sin up until only a few weeks ago, but unfortunately with their bass player deciding to leave the group there has been a change of name and of line-up.  Speaking with a band representative before their set, there was clearly some worry that with this new line-up some cracks would show in their set, but we have to say they were fantastic.  If we had not been told, we would not have known that the trio had only been together for a few weeks.  Their mixture of rock and blues really got the party swinging with much of the audience making their way to the stage area for a dance.  Keep an eye out for The Black Sheep in a venue near you and give them a go, you will not be disappointed.

One of the aims of this festival is to give local bands a platform upon which to perform their music.

Jack Hemmings Chairman of ARRCC said before this year´s festival: “Please come to Rye Goes Rock.  We have the best bands in the district, Harvey´s-and other - beer and local wines, all hosted by the Rye Rugby Club.  Rye Goes Rock is a tribute to the impromptu, toe-tapping, piano playing of Jonah Graham. Jonah came to ARRCC when his Parkinson´s disease affected everything in his life except his ability to entertain, and it is thanks to Jonah that the idea came about to hold a “ Rye goes Rock” Festival.  ARRCC´s members are all people whose lives have been turned upside down by medical or physical accident and who find ARRCC immensely helpful as they face new lives in a gutsy and spirited way.”

As well as having a great day and evening out a local Charity was supported by those who came to ‘Rye Goes Rock’.  The proceeds of this event will help to sustain the Centre and every contribution makes a difference.  Funds raised will go towards ensuring that ARRCC can continue to offer vital support to all it’s members and their families.  ARRCC is assisted by funds from Rother District Council.

ARRCC (Activities, Respite, Rehabilitation Care Centre) which was started by Gillian Wood and a group of volunteers to offer facilities in the area for people aged 18 - 65 with physical and sensory impairments. At first 5 people attended one day per week now ARRCC welcomes 75 members from Monday to Friday.  Amongst the activities that members can take part in are: Art therapy, music therapy and computer skills. Also on offer are counselling sessions, massage and beauty treatments, all available to encourage the members to develop their abilities, and to regain their confidence in performing everyday tasks.

Xango!´s final words on this festival is that it is an up and coming festival that has support from some of the best local music act in the area and aids a fantastic charity that needs all of the help that it can get.  Next year the organisers are hoping to make the event a 2-day festival with room for camping nearby, so we expect all of our members and all music lovers to keep their eyes open for next years dates and get their tickets as soon as possible.  We had a great day out, enjoyed some great music and met some fantastic people in the process.  Support ARRCC - Come to Rye Goes Rock next year WITHOUT FAIL!!!