A more personal writeup than normal off a special mini festival. Our man Johnny captures the feel of the Mayhem at Micks (farm) Fest rather than a straight review the bands and a good read it is too.
Well, where do I start. 13 years or so ago, I was invited to a farm in Fleckney, deep in the Leicestershire countryside, for a gig called Bladefest, headlined by Goldblade (hence the name). Cow shed cleared out, stage built, field cleared of the moo moos for the tenters. 5 or 6 bands played. Nowadays, it’s a 2-day event, same cowshed and same field and about 15 bands. We all have our fave gigs, fests, mini fests etc, but for me (without taking anything at all from other gigs and fests I go to) this is my favourite weekend of the year without a doubt. Some call it the best kept secret of the punk calendar. Generally speaking, it’s the same 200 ish that attend, everyone knows everyone, everyone says hello, goes to each other’s tent for a beverage tasting session and so on.
The story behind the weekend, is that Mick is unable to go to many gigs due to being a working farmer so, about 15 years ago, he decided to bring the gigs to the farm, as stated, started off a one a dayer, soon a 2-day event today. This is a review for the event, not individual bands, no doubt I’ll get round to that at another time.
People talk about the Punk Rock Family, well it has to be said, that Mayhem epitomises that ethos, it really is like a private party, tho open to all. Bands in their tents alongside the punters, drink, BBQ’s, campfires, talking shite and putting the world right.
Organised by Paul Kirk, Trina and Mick, along with their team, they have made this a special weekend indeed. Everyone always in good spirits, great people, great bands and hosts that cannot be bettered. Camping field is stones throw from the shed, depending of course where you park up.
Anyway, after a 2-year break from the shed due to you know what, it was time to again fill the car with tenty stuff, booze, food and ourselves. Setting out at 10am Friday morning 13th August, heading to Liverpool to pick up Anton and then continue to the farm. All going well until the sat nav started sending us in a different direction, not realising there had been a bad crash on the M6. 2 ½ hours later, having done only 40 miles through the Cheshire countryside, we finally manage to get on the motorway, making up good time, arriving at the farm a little after 2pm.
The usual abusive welcome from Kirko (in jest of course), we set up the tent, quick bit to eat, a couple ciders, catch up with old friends, its time to head for the cowshed for first band of the day and continue thru til about midnight ish. Band list as follows
To say the sound man is good, would be a massive understatement. Bearing in mind this is a breeze block and corrugated iron cow shed, he did (as is the norm) an exceptional job. The sound was brilliant, comparable to any good acoustics venue. As the evening wore on, the dancing became more frenetic, the booze flowed freely, and the crowd were amazing. It truly was fucking amazing to be back in the shed.
The following morning, Saturday 14th, as the sun rose over the field, ya could her the occasional groan, belch and fart as hungover punks arose from their slumber, preparing for the day’s further entertainment.
However, before the bands kicked off, the usual crowd heads off to the local village pub for pre gig drinks, some walk, some drive, some need to be driven back !!! on returning to the farm, I, as is the tradition get the BBQ started. Dave as usual has brought half a ton of meat to cook. All are invited, many come. Once the pubsters return, vast quantities of food is consumed, drinks drunk, guitars played, shit chatted. Toward the end of the BBQ, Mr Colton approaches me with a box, as some may know, we have in the past acted somewhat irresponsibly with practical jokes etc. opening the box, with some trepidation I might add, I was stunned to see a belated retirement cake, in the shape, of all things, a pant liner. Those who know, know. Totally gobsmacked and genuinely grateful to receive this from the best people I know. All round applause from all present. Lovely, thank you all once again.
Time to get back to the shed to wind the weekend up with more excellent bands, drinking and drunken dancing. Standing there watching all the bands over the weekend, looking around me at all the people I have know since the inception of the event, new friends, bands I hadn’t seen before, and just the general electric atmosphere, ya realisation of just how good this weekend is cemented by a feeling of complete contentment. Oh, how I have missed this, and oh how bloody good it is to be back. For those of you who haven’t been, and I know you get this from others about other fests, give it a go, I have never heard a single negative word said about Mayhem at Micks, the punters love it, the bands always wanna go back, and the cows seem to enjoy it too.
Finally, these events only happen due to the hard work, stress, pain, sweat and tears from those who organise them, so again, hats off to Paul, Trina, Mick and all involved, for what to me, is the perfect punk weekend. Cheers n ciders, until next year!
Words and Photos: Johnny
Band list:
HUNG LIKE HANRATTY, MICK O' TOOLE, KID KLUMSY, POTENTIAL VICTIMS, THE GLORY, BETTER OFF DEAD, REBEL STATION, DIABLOFURS, BROKEN 3 WAYS, EASTFIELD, HEADSTONE HORRORS, THE LENGTHMEN, RAGE DC, TRI SUBVERSION, TSAUNAMI SOX
Event Link for previous Mayhem: https://www.facebook.com/events/2566773456872090/
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