Pat’s Bar , Clarendon Dock, Belfast
Saturday 2nd July 2005
Picture Pat’s Bar absolutely filled to bursting, barely any room to stand, never mind sit, queues at both bars, and a general hum of excitement. Could be any Saturday night at any pub in Belfast, but amid the general denim clad drinkers, picture dozens of quiffed up, tatooed rockabilly boys, girls dressed in 1950’s style chiffon skirts and neck scarves, and even one guy dressed as Frank Sinatra, and perhaps the picture starts to become slightly different. This was the 2nd Belfast Rockabilly Roots Festival at Clardendon Dock. Earlier in the day, Rockabilly favourites such as Big Sandy and the Flyrite boys, The Sabrejets, and the Wildcats had been playing in the big marquee outside in Barrow Square, but now it was getting late, the sun was going down and everyone was packing inside Pat’s Bar, to see what I considered to the Piece de Resistance of the festival – Boz Boorer’s Hillbilly Bop. Better known to most as Morrissey’s chief guitarist and musical director, Boz had put together an all star line up for this year’s festival featuring his wife Lyn on double bass, Pat McGarvey from The Cole Porters on Banjo and DJ Lewis, guitarist from Kitty, Daisy and Lewis.
Anyone used to hearing Boz play only Morrissey tracks would be in for a pleasant surprise, for the type of music on offer that night was a million miles away from anything he had previous done with Morrissey. Although Morrissey’s musical direction has had a distinct rockabilly feel to it ever since Boz joined his band in 1991, the set he offered up that night was sheer unadulterated rockabilly classics. On lead vocals and guitar, Boz proved himself to be a charismatic front man, with a great if slightly understated voice, and guitar skills second to none. Both the music and atmosphere was electric with Banjo, triple necked steel guitar, and even a washboard, adding to the overall sound.
All in all, it was a great night. People were dancing, enjoying the rockabilly tunes, and even Boz himself proved to be a great character, downing pints of Guinness and even agreeing to pose for a photograph with a certain webmistress!! (see below) The gig itself, and the Belfast Rockabilly Roots Festival in general was yet another example of the diverse cultural and musical flavours that Belfast has to offer, and all that’s left to do now is wait in anticipation of next years festival which will hopefully be even bigger and better!
