For the eighth consecutive year the sun shone brightly on the Maverick Festival. It was back in 2007 that Paul Spencer first spoke to me about his dream of running an Americana music festival in Suffolk. At the time I was the owner and editor of Maverick magazine, which in those days was very much pro-Americana music. He explained that he wanted the festival to mirror the kind of artists and music the magazine featured and so began an informal working relationship towards the first Maverick Festival that was launched in September 2008.

The festival has grown steadily in the number of attendees, the line-up of major name acts and the accolades bestowed upon it by the media. In short, the Maverick Festival is firmly established as the premier family-friendly ‘small’ music festival in the UK. I’m no longer associated with Maverick magazine. The new owners have shifted the magazine’s music policy away from Americana towards more commercially-driven music with seemingly a total lack of integrity as everything in the magazine appears to be geared firmly towards advertising revenues rather than editorial credibility. In contrast, the Maverick Festival seems to have gone in the opposite direction, with this year’s line-up steering away from recognisable names that might appeal to a wider audience to a plethora of lesser-known names, many of which appeared to be totally unfamiliar even to the die-hard Maverick regulars.

With more than 50 acts appearing across six different stages, it is of course impossible to catch all the performances, but unlike previous years, I couldn’t recall one act that stood out and made me jump up and down with excitement. It was, for me at least, mainly a case of one quite good act after another, but nothing at all with the ‘wow!’ factor. Maybe I’d been in the wrong place at the wrong time! Whenever I attend a music event like this, I like to mingle, chat to fellow patrons and get their off-the-cuff comments and feedback. And to a man (and in many cases, woman), they all came up with a similar summing up.

I had intended to single out some of the acts for special mention, but as I sit here I’m just finding it so difficult to do that. The general consensus seemed to be that there was nothing really essential on offer, nothing to write home about. That’s not the way it should be with the Maverick Festival. I should have left with a buzz, wanting to hear more. Whereas I left each evening with a feeling of relief that the day’s shows had come to an end.

I’m sure that some of those at the Maverick Festival, when they read this rather depressing summing up, will bombard me with a list of acts that knocked their socks off. But in my defence, many of the acts did at least two sets over the weekend on different stages, and I honestly can’t remember anyone extolling to me that I shouldn’t miss so-and-so when they’re on such-and-such a stage later. In fact, from my long experience of promoting shows, the majority of the acts appearing this year, would struggle to attract more than 30-40 die-hard fans to many of the Americana listening venues up and down the country. 

As I mingled amongst the audience I heard a lot of adverse comments about the seating in both the Barn and the Peacock venues, especially the decision to have standing only from 9pm. Many of the long-time Maverick Festival attendees are Senior Citizens, and for some of them, standing, even for an hour, is more than their legs and bodies can tolerate. I can fully understand the reasoning behind this policy, but I believe that it’s been ill-thought out, and when those who’ve been coming every year tell me in no uncertain terms, this is the last year they’ll be attending the Maverick Festival, that is not good news. With some prudent ‘policing,’ the problems with the seating in both venues, could be easily addressed to suit all. A steward, properly identified as such, could easily ensure that chairs are placed in organised rows, so that the limited space is utilised to its full capacity. Then there will be ample room left for those younger and fitter who are able to stand without any ill-effects.

Talking about attendees, once again there was no one representing Maverick magazine at the Festival. That should come as no surprise, as the current editor rarely attends live music events, even when they are literally on her doorstep. It was good to see, for the first time, a journalist from Country Music People magazine. Also conspicuous by their absence was BBC Radio 2’s Bob Harris and the AMA (UK) team, who had been highly visible for the previous two years. Surely, as the premier Americana festival in the UK, their presence and support should have been a given. United we succeed, divided we fail should be the motto of all Americana music supporters, especially the AMA UK team, which despite individual’s personal agendas, should be leading the way.

Despite my somewhat negative comments, Maverick Festival remains an amazing event, full of excellent music and performers. It is fresh, vibrant and exciting and is without doubt a springboard for those acts who still place integrity and credibility above the growing craving for instant worldwide fame and the greed of making lots of money.       
 
The Maverick Festival takes place the first weekend of July at the Easton Farm Park, Woodbridge, Suffolk