REVIEW: END OF THE ROAD FESTIVAL’S CHRISTMAS SHINDIG AT CARGO, LONDON (08/12/11)
It’s no secret – we freakin love End of the Road Festival here at 247 Magazine. We love everything about it, the crowd, the music, the hot and spicy cider, the Sharpie tattoos, the organisers, the setting…everything. But how does this translate to a one off night in trendy Shoreditch? Well, of course it’s not as amazing but it’s pretty damn good as far as London nights go.
The annual End of the Road Christmas Shindig proved as popular as ever this year, with hundreds of archetypal EOTR punters (broadly speaking, bearded men, a handful of pretty women and plenty of Canadians and Scandanavians) crammed into the classy surrounds of Cargo. Despite the £5 per can of beer price tag at the bar, the booze was a flowing (hot and spicy cider included) and it wasn’t long before the EOTR spirit got going.
The three acts picked for this year’s bill were Ireland’s Oh Ruin, Canadian Dan Mangan and England’s Beth Jeans Houghton and the Hooves of Destiny. Multicultural huh?! All three had that folk undercurrent running through their veins but each had a unique take on it.
Oh Ruin clearly likes a range of music. You could hear all sorts of influences in his songs, from the more obvious Irish-sound of Damien Rice and Glen Hansard to the slightly more edgy Hendrix-fingerwork. His inter-song banter was spot on and he got in the festive mood with a misplaced piece of tinsel around his neck. Bless.
Signed to City Slang, Dan Mangan is in good company – with the likes of The Decemberists and Okkervil River and has already received plenty of good press for his brand new album Oh Fortune. It is this album, which he showcased here. Soaring, energetic folk with sniffs of Mumford and Songs and the occasional hint of Counting Crows. He ended the set with one of those movie moments where the crowd sung along as he made his way to the back of the room and hopped up on the bar (which was fortunately empty, due to the extortionate drinks prices!).
Headliner Beth Jeans Houghton and her band, the Hooves of Destiny, finished the night’s live entertainment off with their unique take on the standard folk fare. With a name like that you wonder what you’re in for – like Jack Black does Wallace and Gromit. But name aside, here we have beautiful preview of the songs set to feature on her debut album – due for release in 2012.
Throw in some early hours dancing courtesy of the How Does It Feel DJs, who rocked the disco in the woods at this year’s End of the Road Festival and we have ourselves a party. Of course, it’s not a patch on the festival itself – how could it be? It’s in the middle of London for starters and only lasts a few hours. Nevertheless, a good taster eve.
Words and photo: Laura Williams
