Take some genuine masters of the rock scene and mix with the Butlins experience and the results are awesome. Giants of Rock 2015 was a cracking weekend.

Let’s tick a few boxes up front. The general quality of acts throughout the weekend was absolutely top drawer; in a well-crafted programme each performance provided an example of established artists from across the rock spectrum still at the top of their game, bringing years (sometimes many decades!) of experience to the party … and what a party. Now don’t get me wrong – given the calibre of artists on show, this bill was never going to be about some old stagers living off a band name, churning old hits for the faithful, neither was it solely an endless stream of Guitar Based Rock. There was a vitality, a freshness, a diversity and sense of innovation about much of the music we were privileged to hear over the weekend, which sometimes belied the age of many of those playing it. Sure it was ‘classic rock’, whatever that means, but there were no hackneyed museum pieces on show in Minehead over the weekend. So; class acts – Tick.

Butlins – what can I say? Never been in my life before. What an eye opener. The Minehead Resort is a truly wondrous place. Massive without being impersonal. Loads of bars, eateries, and non-music entertainment without ever being trashy or bawdy. Genuinely friendly staff without ever appearing contrived. Quality for all without appearing mass-market. The facilities for the music were spot on. Two large arenas, easily accommodating thousands, screens, seats, standing-dancing if you wanted it, and of course plenty of bars. Pricing was no more of less than expected. Security was very low key; not that it was needed – this was an excellent and very friendly crowd… and the resort was packed. Given the quality of the bill and the Butlins offering this was no surprise. Interestingly, the weekend attracted a diverse crowd of mixed ages and fashions, from leather clad rockers to fancy dressed teens. It was a great mix. So; location and ambience – Tick.

Finally, combine the two. It’s a heady mix. The relatively recent phenomena of out-of-season indoor music festivals is a winner for all concerned. Punters can satisfy their festival fix in the winter months whilst promoters can fill their venues during slack periods. It all works. OK, these weekends are not true festivals; neither are they simply a series of concerts. It’s something different again. You can watch the bands from a warm comfy seat then retire to decent accommodation and a proper bed. Tend to think of it more as Rock Cabaret – there is a unity, a camaraderie, about it all – bigger than a series of one-off concerts but different from a festival. It’s unique, civilised, and nice. If you’ve not taken the plunge with this type of event before then do give it a try – you may love it! So; The Combo – Tick.

If we had one niggle with the whole Giants of Rock shebang it would be the concurrent stage timings. In the evening, acts on both the Main Stage (Centre Stage) and Stage 2 (Reds) started and finished at the same time, which resulted in obvious conflicts and downtime. Typically each act was so good that we were reluctant to abandon some great sets half way through to trek to the other stage to see the opposition next door. Hopefully organisers will consider staggered stage timings going forward. The big stages also shut down for a good few hours in the afternoon. In fairness this did provide an opportunity to check out the new talent on the Introducing Stage, simply chill, or check out the rather pleasant Minehead town a couple of minutes walk away.

The Artists. Old cliché but there were no fillers here. We genuinely did not see an average performance all weekend. The claim ‘Giants of Rock’ was a worthy moniker for the performers gracing the stages at Minehead. Now then, reviews are all opinion, and we all have our personal preferences and foibles, but here are the Festival For All highlights from the wealth of talent on offer. Also factor that some acts were simply too good to leave to review the artists giving their all on the other stage!

The Yardbirds kick started the whole wonderful bash for FFA on Friday. Excellent stuff with the flowing gob-iron blues from multi-instrumentalist Andy Mitchell a particular high point. Original Jim McCarty dominated proceedings and his drum fuelled rocking R&B was an absolute treat. Only blip for this reviewer was the kickdown in style to a pure 60’s vibe for a couple of their classic hits; Shapes of Things in particular sounded a little out of kilter and dislocated from the rest of an excellent set. Otherwise top marks.

Blimey, Colosseum! I’ve no vested interest here and not really conversant with their back catalogue at all but arguably one of the sets of the whole weekend. For sheer musical excellence, style and presence, this crew were hard to beat. No surprise given the pedigree of some of the greats of the British jazz/rock scene since the late 60’s in the line-up. Farlowe’s vocals were splendid, as were Barbara Thompson’s sax breaks; but pride of place in such a pool of talent that is Colosseum must go to Clem Clempson who was absolutely inspirational on guitar.

There are some rare bands (Levellers, Dreadzone, The Beat, et al) who you just know ALWAYS put in a shift and virtually guarantee a stunning set. The Quireboys are near the top of that distinguished list and once again did not disappoint in their midnight set. In many ways they are the Rock & Roll Band. Spike was on top form as always, the band sounded awesome, Sex Party and 7 O’Clock brought the house down. The crowd were bouncing. Typical Quireboys gig then really. Giants of Rock indeed.

Saturday’s offering was topped by The Enid for this reviewer at least. Another one vying for set of the festival. This was a wonderful hour or so of the most beautiful operatic prog rock I’ve ever heard. A spine tingling performance from charismatic front man Joe Payne. Ranging from almost falsetto vocal tones as pure as the driven snow to full on-rock, what a mesmerising stage presence this man has. Founders Robert John Godfrey & Dave Storey have surrounded themselves with some fine musicians and it all came together with a brilliant rendition of BJH’s Mocking Bird. The Enid produced a thing of absolute beauty. One of those little festie moments when band & audience are as one and you lay the memory in the archives for ever. Wonderful set.

The reformed Family generated an excellent set with the Chapman persona dominating the stage in fine style. Another set of top musicians provided the perfect platform for Chapman to let rip on classics like Sweet Desiree, and a brilliant rendition of Rollin' & Tumblin which had the place going just a little crazy.

Following on from a fine set of quality prog rock from Focus, the stage was set for yet another million seller class act – Magnum and their midnight set. Mr Catley ruled the roost with some splendid vocals and out & out stage presence, but in a welter of musical talent it was bassman Al Barrow who particularly caught the ear with some great bass and vocal accompaniment. Now this band IS guitar based rock and one of the great exponents of the genre. Kingdom of Madness was an absolute blinder.

Sunday afternoon saw more Giants hit the stage with a superb set from Climax Blues Band. This was a great blues show with frontman Graham Dee seamlessly continuing the tradition of this band over the years. By the time they dropped in Couldn't Get It Right the crowd were going wild. Great stuff.

Roger Chapman got back on the bill for a second showing with The Shortlist and produced some great moments with an awesome version of Shadow on the Wall stealing the show. Perhaps a little under-rehearsed in the latter stages of the set and it all got, well, a bit bitty, but any stage time with Chapman is time well spent.

The wonderful Deborah Bonham probably topped Sunday’s pile for this reviewer. What a great rock voice this lady possesses – powerful but always under control and well harnessed… and what a refreshing change in the largely male, sometimes machismo, world of rock, that an artist will take time out during the set to personally thank from the heart individuals she recognised in the crowd for their attendance and support through the years. A lovely touch from another giant of the scene.

Slade! I’d always thought there was a fine rock band lurking behind those crazeeee spellings and 3 minute classics. I was not wrong. These are fine musicians and they put on a SHOW. Of course there was vaudeville – it’s Slade for goodness sake but in a surprisingly varied set spanning the decades the band were immense. Hill still dominates the stage with that infectious cheeky grin, and Powell still lays down those pounding beats. The crowd were stood on chairs singing. Great atmosphere.

So there you have it. If you were lucky enough to attend then you’ll all have your own high spots - Black Star Riders, Slack Alice, Manfred Mann’s Earthband, etcetera … but either way they will all have something in common – all truly deserve the Giants of Rock label and all appeared on this bill through merit.

This was a splendid weekend with top bands at a top location. Roll on 2016.

(NB. Ladies please stop reading now. Gentlemen – I had full on Man-Flu throughout the entire weekend. Only you will understand the full impact of that condition. It speaks volumes for the quality of GoR that I can pay this event no higher tribute than to state how enjoyable it was despite my ailments.)

Article by Barrie Dimond