musomuso was invited along to this niche little festival in the heart of Worcestershire, with the added advantage of being 5 minutes from home. The sun was shining, the camera batteries charged, so off we pottered.

History

Ian Downton was a much loved biker and part of the Upton on Severn biker community. He tragically died in September 2009 after he had spent 12 months in hospital after a road traffic accident - ironically in a car. His friends pledged to use their annual football match, Slayers v Talbot Head in his memory, and looked at ways to raise money in his name. They organised a BBQ and live music and continued this tradition for the next few years.

But it was destined for more, and the idea of a bigger event was born! Stu Evans offered to help with getting bands to play and a full day event was planned. The first Drunken Monkey Rock Festival was held at the Drum and Monkey pub, near Upton on Severn in 2014. The venue spawned the name of the festival! Outgrowing the pub quickly it moved to a local field and raises money for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity year after year.

Some of the people who attend the festival will have known Ian Downton personally and for them, this festival honours their friendship and raises money in his name for a charity that was close to his heart.

Ian is still very much an important part of the festival. His bike, a 1964 Triumph Thunderbird 650cc proudly sits on the main stage. Given to his close friend Phil, by Ian’s daughter after his death, Phil ceremoniously starts it every day before the music starts.

This year

3 days of music, 50 bands and 2 stages  and fun started on Friday evening. The music is very much rock; heavy, gentle, blues, thrash, metal and everything in between. Bikers, leather, denim, tattoos and beards are very much en vogue and dedication to some of the clothing choices were pushed to the limit in the 90 degree heat. There are 2 stages and various food, gifts, merchandise and motorbike (!) tents and trailers and a bar……a BIG bar. I was told by the organisers that although they have a license for much bigger, they like to keep it around 1200/1300 people so there is plenty of space and no queues at the bars, loos and food and it really paid off. It was such a friendly gathering and everyone was up for some classic rock music in the sunshine. The facilities really were brilliant and the prices all reasonable (£3.80 for a pint of cider!). Plenty of camping space is available and most people stay for the whole 3 days.

The music was a rich mix of cover bands, tribute acts and original artists. Soul Stripper, key organiser Stu Evans’ AC/DC tribute band kicked things off on the main stage. What a way to get things going. During the 3 days we had tribute bands such as Priest Unleashed (Judas Priest), Moretalica, MegadethUK, Motorheadache, Dizzy Lizzy, Cult Fiction, Wizards of Oz, Marquee Square Heroes etc and they were all really good. Some really got into the act as well, I thought the lead singer / bassist from Motorheadache WAS Lemmy, had he risen again?

Original outfits such as 7 Year War (great young band), Isolation (incredible show), Phon, Surge and Taliesin (they were a local band I grew up with 30+ years ago but never saw, so it was great to catch up with them eventually) gave a different feel to things through out the day. We had punk, some laid back blues rock and of course some straight metal.

Rhythm Machine were a fantastic blues rock outfit that closed the Tower Stage on the Friday with a great vibe. Watching the sun set behind the stage as they got a big crowd rocking was something special. Isolation were a real highlight for me, they really got into the whole stage show and put on a great performance.

The set times and even the bands changed around a bit earlier on each of the days on both stages and at times, I struggled to keep up. I would love to mention some more of the bands by name but I honestly wasn’t sure who was who by about band 20!!!

It was a fantastic few days in the Worcestershire countryside with some great bands in a really friendly and fun festival. Next year is already booked, Aug 4,5 & 6 2023 and I hear they have Iron Maiden!!! Well, it says ‘Ironed Maiden’ but I think that’s clearly a typo..........

Word and Pictures © Glenn Morrison