Neil March and Sherry Sahayaraj attended the High Tide Festival, Twickenham this is what they had to say about it.

The 2024 High Tide Festival in the heart of Twickenham, Surrey to the South West of London offered up a refreshingly diverse selection of the old and the new. There were, of course, far more artists and stages than Sherry and I could cover in one afternoon so what follows is our review of a fascinating selection of acts from the main stage. Neil 😊

Neil: 2024 is becoming something of a year of firsts for Sherry. Today is her first ever music festival and what better than to start with a superbly organised free local festival in the centre of Twickenham? Small enough to not be too overwhelming but bigger than any of the grassroots gigs Sherry has been attending and co-managing since arriving from India just less than two years ago. And the very first people we run into on arrival are our awesome friends Tomâs Doncker and Jon Read so hugs all round. We also later meet photographer Jennie Meadows. Perfect start. So Sherry, what was your verdict on the day?

Sherry: It was a terrific experience, my first-ever music festival! The festival was easy to travel to, well-organised, and conveniently located in the heart of Twickenham. Not so big as to be intimidating, but still bigger than the local gigs I’ve been associated with since coming to this area from India about two years ago. It was the ideal size.

It was a great surprise to see our pals Jon Read and Tomâs Doncker when we got there. Later in the day, we also met Jennie Meadows, the photographer, and she was really cool! The cool persona that is Tomâs inspired me greatly. During our discussion on how he would characterise his playing, I can still picture him saying, in relation to when he is playing the part of artist, manager, booking agent, promoter and MD, in his words ‘I am God’! That gave me inspiration. It was a fantastic start to the festival.

Neil: The Rough Trade DJs get the crowd warmed up with a cool retro mix of Old Skool Dub, Blues, Soul and other flavas. We also get an introductory speech by Munira Wilson, the Lib Dem MP who ousted the incumbent Tory in 2019 and kept the seat in 2024. Putting any party partisanship to one side for the afternoon, it was good to hear a local MP talking enthusiastically about backing local arts. Then local heroes Grizzlee hit the stage with several tanks full of energy and they burst into a rocking funk-hop feast of interband chemistry, rapid-fire rap and anthemic chorus. This sets the scene for what follows.

Grizzlee’s vocalist cuts a lively and instantly likeable figure with a chatty convivial personality and a voice that shifts effortlessly between cleverly constructed spoken word rhyme and sparky singing. The rhythm guitarist adds faslsetto vocals and other BVs and they play off each other with the between-song patter, including the amusing tale of how they pitched for the main stage [successfully as it turns out] after their set on another stage in 2023! Their set mixes Punk, Hip Hop, Alt Rock and edgy funk influences. Their hooks are strong and the lyrics are real life and relatable. They also have punchy, funky and rocking bass and drums plus a lead guitarist whose solo play is impressive but never showy. The words ‘hard act to follow’ definitely come to mind.

Sherry: Indeed, Neil. The Old Skool Dub, Blues, Soul, and other retro-inspired music mixed by the Rough Trade DJs truly set the mood. Additionally, Munira Wilson’s speech was motivational and a wonderful way to get things going. That being said, my favourite part was when Neil asked me to guess the genre of a song that the DJ was playing. Even though I was wrong most of the time, it kept me intrigued the entire event. I found it to be even more entertaining and interesting when Neil would then begin to speak about the genre. (Awwww – Neil)

When Grizzlee hit the stage, they brought so much energy! Their funky rock-hip hop blend, with rapid-fire rap and catchy choruses, was electrifying. The vocalist was super lively and friendly, switching effortlessly between spoken word and singing.

The lyrics were so powerful, and they were simply incredible. Their songs touched on everyday life so authentically and seemed so real and accessible. It was hard to stay away from the band’s intensity when they were playing together because they had such a close chemistry.

Grizlee on the main stage at High Tide Festival 2024.

Neil: Fortunately the act that follows Grizzlee is Tomás Doncker & The True Groove All Stars. Over to Sherry first who, unlike me, is seeing them live for the first time.

Sherry: This was my first time seeing them live, and they were fantastic! They had such a funky sound, and their horn section was incredibly cool. All the musicians were top-notch, playing with great skill and energy. One of the highlights for me was a soulful slow song that really showcased their depth and emotion. They ended their set with a FOTN fresh fave called Change which left the crowd buzzing. It was a powerful and memorable performance that perfectly followed Grizzlee’s high-energy set.

Neil: I love how Tomás works the crowd before they have even played a note. His personality shines through as always. Jon is having a great time, now on backing vocals as well as his trademark trumpet, flugelHorn and keyboards. When you have an extended rhythm section with such fine, funky musicians and a kicking horn section, you can’t go wrong.

Tomás Doncker And The True-Groove Allstars

Neil: I am excited to see Welsh Alt Rock trio Chroma who won the New Trax Poll on my Trust The Doc Radio Show a few weeks ago. They were brought to my attention by the always reliable Lee Jackson at Wall of Sound PR. They record for the highly consistent Alcopop label. I am struck immediately by how the bass guitarist, using a bunch of pedals, is able to play like he is both bassist and guitarist, locking in with the punchy pile-driving drummer to create a raucous riffing bedrock. The singer has a strong soprano voice. Her Valleys accent and how she rises up into the upper register do remind me a little of Cerys Matthews (which is only ever a good thing) but the style is much more intense; a kind of Punk Metal sound. It’s great to hear Aberdare namechecked (a few miles from the Cynon Valley where my family originate from and where I spent so much of my childhood). And we get a song with Welsh language lyrics too. They end with the new single I Wanna Be Where You Are, the one that topped our poll, and it is a barnstorming finish to a cool set.

Sherry: I was really excited to see Welsh Alt Rock trio Chroma, especially after hearing Neil talk about them winning the New Trax Poll on his Trust The Doc Radio Show. Right from the start, I was blown away by the bass guitarist. Using fuzz and other effects, he played like both a bassist and a guitarist, creating a powerful and relentless rock foundation with the drummer. The drummer was a powerhouse, driving the music forward with intense energy.

Chroma on the main stage at High Tide Festival 2024.

Sherry: In between the bands, the festival kept up the high energy with some great entertainment. There was a big band of drummers who marched into the main stage area and eventually out of it again, creating an exciting spectacle. Later on, a dance quartet took the stage, adding even more variety to the festival.

Neil’s been telling me about The Beat and the significance of the 2-Tone wave in the UK during the early 1980s. Seeing these influences play out in the festival’s diverse performances made it even more interesting and gave me a deeper appreciation for the musical history behind the acts. Overall, the festival offered a fantastic mix of live music and engaging performances that kept me entertained all day.

Neil: I have to confess to being a little bit disappointed to discover that there are no original members in the 2024 version of The Beat. The new incarnation is, in essence, Ranking Roger’s son Ranking Junior and his backing band. He is an engaging personality though and knows how to work a crowd. They kick off with a fast-paced version of Whine And Grine/Stand Down Margaret. Maybe I am being unfair but it seems a little pointless to be singing about Margaret Thatcher when not only is it more than three decades since she ceased to be PM but she has been dead for some years now too. Twist And Crawl gets the crowd worked up and there is a cool funk-edged rendition of Too Nice To Talk To plus a lilting take on Rough Rider.

They save the big hits for later in the set. It’s an accomplished performance, albeit lacking the punch and precision of the original band and sounding more like a tribute band. Still, a packed crowd really feed off the band’s energy and it is heartwarming to see so many ageing mods and rude boys/girls reliving their youth and having a great time. Fair play to this new line-up for keeping the original band’s legacy alive.

Neil: All in all then; a really enjoyable day, helped of course by Sherry’s lovely company, some cool artists and a well-run festival that makes great use of the town centre space and offers countless stalls and kiosks selling food, drink and various forms of merchandise. Big respect to the Eel Pie Records team and all those involved locally. Last word to Sherry though after her first [of many] Festival experience(s).

Sherry: To wrap it up, I absolutely loved all the performances throughout the festival. Each act brought something unique and memorable to the stage, making my first ever music festival an exciting and unforgettable experience. From Grizzlee’s high-energy set to Tomás Doncker & The True Groove All Stars’ soulful performance, and even the spirited attempt by the new line-up of The Beat, the variety and quality of the music were top-notch.

And let’s not forget the festival’s lively atmosphere, with entertainment like the marching drummers and the dance quartet adding extra fun to the day. Plus, I couldn’t have asked for better company than Neil, who made the whole experience even more enjoyable.

On a personal note, the churros I grabbed on the way home were the perfect sweet ending to an amazing day. It was a fantastic introduction to the world of music festivals, and I’m already looking forward to my next one. The vibrant energy, great music, and unforgettable moments made this festival a truly special event.