DOWN at the Abbey festival has concluded for its first year back in a while, closing a weekend of live music in one of Reading’s most historic venues.
Friday saw electro outfit AK:DK, synth-pop purveyors W. H. Lung, and The Comet is Coming, who announced that it would be the last show in the band’s current guise while members focused on other projects.
Meanwhile performances over on the Second Stage included Hatty Taylor, Maria Uzor, and Nuha Ruby Ra.
On Saturday, Sweet Baboo opened proceedings with earnest, pop-tinged indie folk, alongside The August List, Madalitso Band, Ben Marwood, and Kah’Nya.
The bill also included Band of Hope, who mixed classic country with modern influences, and features presenter and journalist Matt Allwright on guitar.
Following the set, he said: “The Abbey was closed off to us when we were kids; we knew it was here, but it was hidden away for so long.
“It’s a natural auditorium, where putting a stage at one end where everyone can see it makes everybody happy.”
He explained: “It’s amazing that Reading has such a great place for it like this, and the genius of the festival is in its line-up.”There were people on the bill I’ve wanted to see all my life: Jeffrey Lewis, BC Camplight, and Pale Blue Eyes were fantastic.
“And Sweet Baboo who were the first thing we saw today were so cool.”
He added: “We were so privileged to play here, so mark it in your calendar for next year , because Reading should be really proud to have a festival this adventurous and engaging.
“May it continue for many years.”
Andrew Fursedon made a Second Stage appearance for his fully-fledged DJ set, but also provided music throughout the festival.
Following his slot, he said: “When Dave first started putting gigs on in Maidenhead, I would DJ for him between bands.
“Since I was a kid, I’ve always loved being involved with shows, so being involved with things like this is great, especially as part of an independent event that cares about the community.
“The beer and food suppliers are local, this feels like it’s part of the community, and to play a venue like the Abbey ruins on a day like today, it feels almost like a continental arts festival.”
He explained that it is part of Reading’s vibrant festival scene: “All of the smaller things we have: Reading Fringe, [arts charity] Jelly’s work, Club Velocity, The Rising Sun, Black & White Music, ReadiPop, Pete Wheeler– Reading is a town of do-ers.
“Film festivals, music, comedy, theatre; there’s so many people doing loads of great stuff in Reading, and this is all part of it.”
Pale Blue Eyes then brought introspective, wistful, guitar-driven surf rock with higher aspirations and deeper roots to the stage.
The band’s energy perfectly befitted of scorching end-of-summer evening, as the sun began to set below the tips of the Abbey Ruins.
Meanwhile Cornelia Murr provided easy-going but engaging, jazzy, indie lounge pop over on the Second Stage
Jeffrey Lewis & The Voltage made their Main Stage appearance, with Lewis donning his usual stickered acoustic guitar.
They performed a set of well-crafted indie rock tinged with down to earth country touches and punctuated with more earnest songs performed by Lewis, and formed the final leg of their UK tour before they return to the US
Lewis’ interstitial asides were in poem form, giving a curated set and performance from the word go until the final note.
His earnest musicianship, heartfelt songwriting, and approachable stage presence make him the perfect accompaniment to the sunset, and things began to really hot up as Saturday’s final few acts approached.
Tiger Mendoza brought searing, acidic guitars, stripping away any pretense and boiling everything away to pure, danceable joy
The duo radiated energy and attitude in their set, peppered with impressive guitar breakdowns and lucious licks,
Los Bitchos gave their usual consummate punky, poppy rock, with influences from across the globe combining to make an informed and intriguing set full of folk, funk, groove and grit.
Their easy charm and affability radiates confidence, along with accomplished musicianship and a cheeky, offhand approachability, particularly during a breakdown bongo solo.
Overall, their set was reminiscent of the effervescent energy of The Go! Team, full of infectious twists and turns that will whisk you into the trance.
After some minor technical issues, Ziyad Al-Samman began again in earnest with dark, danceable pop, thumping bass and a shimmer of synth, guitar, and choral vocals blend for an ecstatic but darkly groovy sensibility.
Al-Samman’s lithe and loose stage presence is difficult to resist as he draws you into a snarling, sultry, funk-filled fiesta.
Following his set, Ziyad said: “It was such a beautiful day, and such a beautiful setting.
“I love Reading; I was here for Are You Listening? Festival earlier this year, which was amazing, but I rarely play outdoor festivals,
“That said, I’m still new to festivals as of this year, and I started with Green Man; but I’m good friends with Los Bitchos so I’m glad to be here.”
Ziyad’s set also included two tantalising, unreleased tracks: “I think many had been here since the start at about 1pm today, and I think I had a few of them under my spell during the set.
“That last track, Yeah Habibi, is in the works: no set date yet, but keep an eye out for that.”
BC Camplight closed the bill, and the festival for another year, with a triumphant and ebullient set as the daylight faded.
