Introducing The Bemonts at Warrington Musicfest
Introducing
The Bemonts
at
Warrington Musicfest
25th May
2024
By Janet Harding
I’m a live music fan, so when a relatively newly formed, Warrington-based band, The Bemonts, invited me to spend the day/night with them at the recent Warrington Music Fest, I was all in! So on a hot, sunny day back in May, I headed on over to what is known locally as a celebration of local music, of both emerging talent and well-established, of all genres. In the heart of Warrington town centre, at the big stage in Golden Square shopping centre, this event is free to attend and is definitely worth checking out. This year a second stage had been added at nearby Times Square featuring acoustic acts, so even more to check out. It’s always so vibrant, has a great energy, is inclusive, and welcoming and of course offers stand-out local live music.
(The Bemonts_Credit: Jeff Jolly)
So firstly, the Bemonts are: Frontman, and on guitar we have Dave Collins, bass AND with all the moves is Adam Barnet, making noise on drums is Liam Winterbottom and on guitar is Glen Townson.
Having all attended William Beamont High School in Warrington the name is a nod to that, although the spelling is deliberately different. The passion and enthusiasm each band member has for what they do is commendable; there is real focus, attention to detail and a genuine belief in delivering the best quality sound and performance each and every time. I’ve listened to material from the band, seen videos and watched live streams, but this is to be my first time seeing the Bemonts live on stage. Waiting alongside these 4 genuine guys backstage as they wait for the set to end before they go on stage for their own, I can feel the energy and excitement mounting. I just know it’s gonna be a great set, because I can feel it, it’s like a lit match just before igniting a firework!
The Bemonts set
So in a flurry of drumming, shimmering cymbals and melodic guitar and bass lines, the fuse is lit and the set explodes into action. It’s Americana at its best, rock, soft rock, almost prog rock. Steady, long, characterful intros moving effortlessly into a dusty road, summer road trip anthems. Dave’s vocal is a joy to listen to: throaty, husky, raspy with a wonderful grate, perfectly suited to this genre. Guitar lines are epic: complex, progressive yet soaring and free. Fascinating to watch as a band they make it look effortless. Bass lines drive and bring in a solidness and drumming is thunder fuelled and filled with intrigue. On stage that aforementioned energy has risen to new heights; the stage presence is phenomenal, it engulfs us as a crowd, and keeps us hanging on every word. Feel good and uplifting is the overriding feel of this set. Each member on stage is alive and loving this, swaying, head bobbing, moving about and dancing around the stage. Safe to say this was one hell of a set and the Bemonts’ first Warrington Music Festival was a huge success!
Chatting to the guys afterwards, I can see they are visibly pleased with how it went, and rightly so. The reception was great and people were coming over to congratulate them, ask about the band and enquiring about future gigs. I was in no doubt this dynamic yet old-school feeling vibe would be explosive. I look forward to their onward journey, I wish the Bemonts every success and will be following them keenly. A very polished, well-rehearsed and well-performed set.
A few other highlights
It would be impossible to talk about every band and performer at this year’s event, so many set clashes between stages and so many at each, so a few words on some of the sets I did manage to catch.
(The Odeens_Credit: Jeff Jolly)
I saw the Odeens at the winter showcase in January and was suitably impressed. This band is going from strength to strength. Very captivating performance, a real force. I get so many feels, very eclectic sound, from early 90s Manchester vibes to Arctic Monkeys to an almost metal feel. Very tight musically and with a raucous performance, the Odeens are coming at ya full force. Love this energy.
I love Olivia Booth, her vocals are very special – siren-like, mesmerising and stunning with an epic range and very well-controlled. The most fascinating band to watch, with real dream pop vibes and stage presence in abundance. Shimmering and sparkling sounds that filter down to an adoring crowd. We all fall under Olivia’s musical spell.
Wild is the key here – and my God do Seminals deliver wilds, and then some! Explosive drums, jagged and complex guitar lines with a real mad-for-it Manchester feel at its heart. Bobby is the coolest frontman and swaggers about, owning the stage. Indie rock pelted out towards us, a fast-paced hard-hitting set. Never disappoint; The Seminals are one of my favourite bands, end of!
(The Seminals_Credit: Jeff Jolly)
A rollercoaster of indie sounds, excellently performed. Real energy is thrown at this, Ollie bounces around, jumping off the drum platform and often on his knees. Catchy tunes with banging beats, real “make you wanna dance” stuff with an underlying coolness.
Skal are a new one for me, but, my God, they grab attention right from the off. Vibrant, quirky, hard-hitting, go-getting stuff with a stand-out vocal. Another wild rock n roll performance right here! Stand outset for me. New favourite band? Definitely! I will be checking out Skal again, bloody brilliant banging set!
(Skal_Credit: Jeff Jolly)
Tonight’s headline, the Ambersons, and with the added bonus of a brass section! The stage is filled with glitter balls and balloons and the band members hold signs. Stunning folk indie with a hint of psychedelia feels here. Think Bob Dylan meets Sergeant Pepper era Beatles. Wonderfully high vibrational, happy making sounds with real texture and with an incredible atmosphere produced amongst melodic sounds.
A huge thank you to the Bemonts for having me along and for making the day so special and thanks to Steve Oates for another stand-out Warrington music festival.
Review by Janet Harding
Photography by Jeff Jolly
To view the entire photo gallery, click the numbers below the last bottom photo on the right or click on an image to see it larger and scroll through.
