Doncaster Live Festival, Market Square, July 19

"What a beautiful day..."

It's currently raining in Doncaster, however spirits couldn't be higher for the first day of the Doncaster Live Festival.

Over the hustle of shoppers and a strategically placed pan pipe player you can just make out the acoustic stylings of Poughkeepsie drifting from Vintage Rockbar. The duo are ultimately out of key as they strain to finish the song, with lead singer Milli almost on tip toes as he tries to hit the top notes- however it's only 3pm and the afternoon quickly swings into an open mic session with any musician present in the bar dragged on-stage for their five minutes of fame. The bar is packed as Thom Smith angrily takes to the stage. His angst ridden tunes are a highlight of the afternoon as he nervously grapples his guitar, breathlessly shouting his words.

Unfortunately for Ten Bears it's raining again, however the group manages to successfully hold an audience throughout their outdoor set. Dressed as a burly MGMT the group continue to play like a Kings of Leon tribute band. However lacking any character or charisma the group are clearly hoping their looks will tie them over- they were half right. With Tiny Dancers the only group to have played the festival two years in a row their act is slightly stale second time around. As a passerby quips that the lead singer looks homeless, the group look eager to tear away from their past. However their quirky, twee tunes quickly bring out the sunshine.

Suddenly banners appear and the crowd becomes awash with young girls giving Elliot Minor a welcome to remember. With their punk pop values they're reminiscent of a goth McFly, but in this instance they appear to have replaced Area 15 on the bill. Taking nothing in their stride the group are perfect showmen from start to finish almost making you wish they'd headlined the event. As girls clamber to get to their idols, pushing a crowd control barrier down in the process the group have clearly hit a chord, with the marketplace packed as far as the eye can see.

Following this The Rascals appear to have taken the crowd's Elliot Minor worship as their own. Walking on-stage to 'Rascalize'- that's right, their own song, the band then continue to remain bland throughout their half hour set. Words are barely exchanged and the trio remain solemn, refusing to work up a sweat on behalf of a performance. The group are unsurprisingly similar to the Arctic Monkeys but again, are only a shadow of the group, ultimately leaving the listener cold.


Finally it's a quick jog to Vintage Rockbar as the rain pours again, leaving the Levellers to whip the crowd into action. Fortunately the bar is snug and packed to the rafters as the Rochville Rockers rattle their way through 50s hits. The day ends with a haze of table top dancing and the rock'n'roll blues.

Photos/Praise: Richard Mushet