Hastings Beatles Day 10

Hastings Beatles Day 10 took place on Sunday 5th April.

There were a constant stream of bands, artists and musicians paying tribute to the tunes of the Fab Four on both the Main Stage and downstairs in The Sussex Hall. In addition to the fantasic music, there were Beatles Day T Shirts, Posters (past and present) plus raffle tickets for sale - all to raise money for MacMIllan Cancer Support.

With so many of our local bands and artists in attendance, it didn´t take much working out that Xango´s very own undercover Gig Pig would be in attendance!

Starting in The Sussex Hall was a very young singer, Chantelle Webb who superbly sung We Can Work It Out - backed by Rick Pentecost on the keyboards. Would have loved to have heard another from young Chantelle, but with 300+ other musicians to get on and off stage, one song was all she performed.

Rick Pentecost was to be back on stage again shortly after, this time with Hanna Smyth giving a haunting rendition of Imagine.

Next the Gig Pig saw The Strangefruits Band - a Frampton family affair. The Gig Pig´s eye was particular drawn to the youngest member of the family. Didn´t catch her age, but she didn´t look as though she´d hit double figures yet - maybe pushing 10? Why drawn to her, well it was the way she played the cello which seemed to be as big, if not bigger than her. Then, if that wasn´t enough, she put that down for song 2, only to pick up and play the bass guitar (pretty well too!). Then, just for good measure, song 3 saw her become the lead vocals. Great performance all round.

The Gig Pig, then retired to the Main Stage -just in time to catch the irresistible Mick Mepham! There seemed to be bidding going on for the shirt on Mick´s back (all in support of MacMillan). The shirt came off, only for people to start bidding for him to put it back on!  Mick belted out a selection of 4 songs, with a performance that you couldn´t take your eyes off. He finished off with the Joe Cocker´s version of With a Little Help from My Friends. Very entertaining.

He was followed by Local Heroes, who gave good performances of Come Together and Taxman.

The volume then got turned up as Dead Calm hit the stage. Did an excellent medley of Help!, A Hard Day´s Hight, Can´t Buy Me Love and Live and Let Die. Including a superb drum solo during the last part. Dead Calm were the first act where the crowd braved the dance area in front of stage.

It was as if the organisers wanted to calm things down, as solo performer Adeline followed on - just her and her guitar sitting centre stage - singing beautifully with versions of All you need is love, For No One, I´ve just seen a face and If I Fell.

The Gig Pig saw The Peteles next, back down in the Sussex Hall. A good selection of songs that got the crowds approval.

Following The Peteles came Eclipse, a Pink Floyd tribute band. An excellent performance, word of which obviously spread, as by the end of their set there was standing room only in the Sussex Halls. The Gig Pig gave Eclipse the PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY award, which brings their own review, which can be read by CLICKING HERE

The Lovely Ritas followed - so many performers, that they couldn´t use the stage as they wouldn´t all fit.

Back on the main stage were members of The Guitar School, where students with different levels of experience showed what a little tuition to could do - almost got the Gig Pig signing up.

Acts then rocked into the evening and the approving crowd lapped it up.

The total raised was a record for the Beatles Day, reaching £14,000 by the end of the day.

Pencil in Beatles Day 11 as a must visit day in your 2010 diaries!