In its first year, Rambling Man Fair is a festival for those who love Rock, Blues and the laid back culture that comes with it. Rambling Man knows its target market very well and the festival is totally geared up for a broad spectrum of middle aged music fans. No thin fizzy larger or mass produced poor quality burgers here!

Set in Mote Park, right in the heart of Maidstone, you might be concerned about accessibility on one of the busiest travel days of the year but actually it was really straight forward. Three train stations within walking distance and clear guidance on parking. Disabled access was also one of the most well thought out I have seen, with priority parking, paved entry ways and disabled toilets at all points of interest.

The atmosphere on the sunny Saturday was super. Really laid back, everyone there to enjoy the music and quality ales. Most of the fans were sporting a tour shirt from one band or another on the bill and were keen to enthuse with fellow festival goers.

The little touches around the site really helped build the atmosphere, plenty of communal areas to sit down and enjoy a drink or some food, all styled like a traditional southern American country fair. Right down to the use of sun flowers and gypsophila as decoration and even some traditional fairground rides. A proper old fashioned down to earth festival.

So let's talk about the beer. Being in Kent, the home of the hop, I am so pleased they took the opportunity to showcase a whole menu (really a menu!) of ales from across the UK. I personally enjoyed a few half pints (£2.40) of different varieties and may have come away with a new favourite! Certainly the festival goers seemed to be enjoying the ales for their tastes rather than alcohol percentage, in fact the number of people I saw that had clearly over indulged could be counted on one hand which is very different from what I am used to at other festivals.

The food too was top quality with options from around the world. Pizza, pies, vegan, fish and chips, jacket spuds - there was huge variety and all with little to no queuing time. We started our day with a venison burger and some sweet potato chips from gamekeeper. Absolutely delicious and although not the cheapest at £9.50, it was enough to keep me going until tea time! For dinner we selected the Med Kitchen. My dad had seen them cooking the meat all day and was so impressed by their professionalism we had to go for a taste. We each had flatbreads piled high with jalapeños, slaw and salad and the most deliciously marinated lamb and chicken. Best festival dinner ever eaten and all for a few pounds under £20!

Plenty of toilets with people on hand to refill hand gel and loo roll. Plenty of bins too.

Now all the above makes for a quality day out but as I said before everyone was really there for the music. Our first band of choice was Toseland, fronted by James Toseland ex-suberbiker. While his biker fame might have been the original crowd draw, the good uncomplicated little riffs with catching choruses made them a very enjoyable watch. I was expecting a bit more heavy metal and not to be that keen but they are more like an American rock band than a traditional mental band - so I loved it. James certainly looks the part too!

Next must see was Blue Oyster Cult - a key reason for attending the festival. They played a set full of fan favourites and would surely have played an encore if the scheduling has allowed. Highlights include Buck's Boogie and of course Don't Fear The Reaper which was positioned as a tribute to Amy Winehouse. The cult members appeared to be really enjoying themselves with some superb guitar interplay and complimentary stage moves! 

Our other unexpected highlight was Hayseed Dixie. After overhearing a rave review while we were eating dinner, we headed across to the tent to find it heaving and a party in full swing. The band revives rock and metal classics in a country style. We heard everything from the Rocky theme tune on ukulele to a banjo led medley of Journey and Highway To Hell. Superb fun and I really hope to catch them again sometime. 

Photo: Oliver Halfin

Top of the bill on Saturday were the Scorpions, now in their 50th year! Not sure what they feed them in Germany but they are certainly wearing well! Lead vocalist Klaus Meine has a voice as powerful as ever. They perform totally in your face, nothing subtle about it rock. The stage set was a mega light show which surely underlined the pomp of the band. Hugh screen created two levels meaning you could see each band members’ skill clearly, the screens were used to compliment the songs including at one point a giant, full stage, Union Jack! Song highlight was their big hit and political song Winds of Change.

We also managed to catch the second half of Jason and the Scorchers. Jason, a wild eyed cowboy was wearing the best shirt I have ever seen. Glitter and tassels in a western style. I need one of those shirts! It was a really enjoyable set and one of the highlights was when they were joined on stage by the lead singer of Hayseed Dixie for a rousing sing along performance of Sweet Marie.

Sunday did not bring us the best of weather; the rain had been pouring down all night and was forecast to continue. I did wonder how this would affect attendance and atmosphere but I really had nothing to worry about! The site held up really well and even though I think the food sellers suffered, the musicians certainly did not!

A crowd bedecked in the latest waterproof gear arrived bang on time for the first act; Violinist Anna Phoebe who’s sparkly denim hot pants were as stunning as her musical ability.

The size of the site means that you can easily move between the stages and tent so on the Sunday with the rain preventing us from enjoying a leisurely beer we packed in a whole tonne of different acts. The fact everything is close also has some issues too, I did feel like a couple of the bands were duetting at times because of the sounds clashes but that is a minor moan!

The Blues Tent particularly brought some unexpected highlights! Firstly a 17 year old lad Aaron Keylock. His name doesn't exactly role off the tongue but I think if this kid had been born in a different era he would be a rock hero. His tunes had a hint of the Rolling Stones about them and the set finisher “Give Me The Chance To Explain” was a huge hit with the crowd.

Next pick from the tent was Mick Ralph’s Blues Band which drew a huge crowd because of Mick’s fame as Bad Company guitarist. They were excellent and the lead singer, a local guy, Adam Barron, whose voice is steeped in soul and blues, superbly stepped into the shoes of those that have come before him.

Last from the Blues tent for us was Joanne Shaw Taylor. What a woman! I think she is the most talented female guitar player I have ever seen. She has a unique playing style and powerful gravelly voice which combines to make her slightly mesmerising.

Photo: Oliver Halfin

Sunday was my first real “adventure” into the prog rock scene and we checked out Knifeworld and Ian Anderson. Great use of instruments that I did not expect to see, Knifeworld rocked the bassoon and watching Ian Anderson was like a cross between Fantasia and the Pied Piper of Hamlin with his wild hand movements and flute playing!

We also caught a lot of the Classic Rock acts too. Thoroughly enjoyed Quireboys: Frontman Spike with the voice of Rod Stewart and a band almost as chaotic as the Faces. Rival Sons and The Temperance Movement are not my kind of thing really but fans of those bands loved it and if you look across social media: gave them rave reviews.

Excitement was then really building for the headliner – Gregg Allman. After a quick bite to eat from Dog Town (£7 hot dog with beef chilli and cheese sauce) and Pie in the Skye (£9 Steak and Ale Pie with chips and Gravy) we took our place to watch Seasick Steve. As usual he put on a great show with all his mad instruments including bringing a poor girl called Hannah onto the stage to sing a love song to…we were now really pumped for Greg! Let’s get down the front!

Photo: Oliver Halfin 

Gregg Allman has still got it! A perfectly put together set with some of his newer stuff plus all the best of The Allman Brothers Band. The style was funkier, incorporating a brass section and extra percussion and Greg’s voice was a strong as ever. Kudos to Ramblin’ Man for getting him across to the UK for a rare appearance.

If you are a fan of Classic Rock, Prog and Blues music then I would challenge you to find a better festival to go to – social media feedback was overwhelmingly positive, so much so that they have released Super Early Bird Tickets by popular demand! Get your's soon, I will be!

Ramblin Man Fair 2016 Saturday 23rd July.

Review: Sarah Sturgeon