Party at the Palace is now in it’s tenth year and well established on the Scottish festival scene. Always certain to showcase a diverse and eclectic roster of bands and artistes with the likes of OMD, Happy Mondays, Republica and Texas having graced the stage previously.
This year brought the promise of good weather and sell out crowds over both days; Callum Beattie, Lulu, Ronan Keating and UB40 were on hand to complete what was going to be an epic weekend.
Kicking off the weekend was Odyssey; the UK based New York trio are best known for some of the greatest disco tunes of late 70’s and early 80’s but of the current members only Steven Collazo remains. That being said… they triumphed as the openers. The graveyard shift is never easy but they got us up n running in fine style.
Day one was compered by DJ Pat Sharp and the first 4 acts were accompanied by the house band – The Retrobates. They laid out the music for Odyssey, Toyah, Jaki Graham and Dollar to perform and sing to. Looked immaculate and sounded great, so top marks to the house band.
The most notable artists on day one were Toyah, The Skids and Lulu… but the band that blew everyone away was Heaven 17. Heaven 17 were massive and surely deserved a place higher up the pecking order.
Moving on to day two and the sun really did have his hat on… it was absolutely scorching!
As the sun beat down relentlessly the beers (and assorted other beverages) were flowing in the crowd. There was a noticeably younger and more boisterous crowd than the day before; this was probably due to Generation GBX ‘performing’ in the middle of the afternoon.
The music started at about ten past one as Brontes took to the stage. Although relatively unknown they brought a good number of fans with them to cheer them on as they filled the unenvious opening spot.
Kudos too to The Eves who followed Brontes; the four piece were excellent with their witty banter and mostly chilled music. They did, however, take everyone by surprise when they played an excellent cover of the Eurodance ‘Freed From Desire’. A great addition to their set and well chosen to get the crowd on their side and the place jumping.
Now… Generation. GBX!
DJ George Bowie was on hand to bring the noise of the GBX Experience. GBX has attracted a mostly young and ‘boisterous’ fan base over the years and today hundreds (if not thousands) of them were in attendance. The aforementioned sun and beer combo was about to play out as the elder statesmen of the venue held their collective breaths.
As it turned out it was a huge carnival of top banging tunes (or choons) and the crowd went mental… mostly in good way.
George Bowie brought along a few singers to sing along with the music they are known for. Mary Kiani, Livin Joy and Sweet Female Attitude gave the stage a focal point and brought some action to the stage as Mr Bowie twiddled at the decks (or USB).
It was utter madness and chaos in the crowd and the sheer joy of the younger attendees was fantastic to witness. There were kids up on the shoulders of adults, teenagers on the shoulders of other teenagers, airborne beach balls and a massive inflatable football being launched into the air. There were numerous people with plastic ‘guns’ which blew hundreds of bubbles into the summer air… absolutely magical (even for aging an aging reviewer).
I don’t think George Bowie could ever imagined in his wildest dreams how his wee radio show could have blossomed into this phenomena but a couple of hours of non stop organised chaos proved that GBX is huge!
After GBX had swept through Linlithgow it was time to chill for a bit; Callum Beattie said ”Hold ma pint” and threw any notion of chilling out the proverbial window!
He came on stage to a local(ish) welcome and immediately set about making Party at the Palace his for the next hour or so… bar a brief period when he noticed a fan struggling and brought his show to a stop in order that paramedics could tend to the stricken fan.
There were two acts remaining and they had to try and follow Callum Beattie… aye, good luck with that!
As it turned out the penultimate act was non other than the global superstar Lulu and she accepted the Beattie challenge… she passed with flying colours!
Dressed head to toe in white she was a whirling Dervish with non stop stories between songs; she was outstanding value for the entrance fee.
So… the festival headliner had the task of not only closing the weekend but of equalling The Beattie / Lulu combo. It just so happened that the evergreen Ronan Keating was in the mood to accept the gauntlet thrown down by the previous two owners of the Party at the Palace stage.
Ronan strode out to the mic and set about the crowd with stories and song; Irish wit and charm; all teamed up with no less talent than one would expect of a seasoned campaigner.
The end of the 10th Party at the Palace came soon and the curtain fell on the Loch side venue after a hugely successful weekend. More power to the organisers and those that witnessed the event would, I’m sure, echo that.
Of course, like every festival, it’s the people who count the most because without punters there is
no festival. The mix at Party at the Palace is as diverse as you’ll find at any festival. Young and old; some very young with ear defenders on and in the safe hands of parents. Some very old with hearing aids on and in the care of their children. Male, female and those who self identify; black, white and everywhere in between. It was the success that one would hope to achieve through music.
There were shops and stalls, A big ferris wheel and some frightening looking swingy thing; a comedy tent and loads of food and beverage stalls.
The chosen charity this year appeared to be in relation to Child Bereavement and I think we can all agree that is one to get behind… here at SMN we hope you raised a decent amount for your charity.
Just a final aside…
On the short walking route from the town centre to the venue there was a young girl and her mum (I assumed) near to the coach and bus stop. The young girl was playing the piano and singing whilst her mother watched over her.
She had a handwritten sign saying that she was busking to try and raise funds for singing and piano lessons… she was very good and I hope she had a successful day; mostly because she was still there as we left the venue!
Now THAT is dedication and worthy of a pound or two in her little case.
Review and Photograph by John Brown Photography
