Burning Lantern Fayre, St Fagans Castle

On a dry Summer’s evening there can’t be many venues around to match the one on display at St Fagan’s Castle at the weekend.

Under glorious blue skies and a wonderful forest setting, it provided the backdrop to a great evening of music, much varied but in many ways, very complementary.

From Motown greats Martha Reeves and Vandellas to the main pairing of Jack Savoretti and Tom O’Dell plus the current country sensation that is The Shires, there was certainly something for everyone.

Not to be outdone, the acoustic bandstand set away from the main stage provided excellent entertainment especially the sets by Merthyr’s Kizzy Crawford and Cardiff’s Zervas and Pepper, who never disappoint despite for them, a very short set.

Zervas and Pepper

Crawford’s gentle jazz and folk-tinged songs were dream and with great support from Aeddan Williams on the double bass her songs were superbly crafted and sounded fresh with Golden Brown, Gerridae and new single Progression sounding particularly good.

Unfortunately timing issues cut short Zervas and Pepper’s set, but they still manage to perform fours songs of quality and featured a couple from their new album, the much acclaimed Wilderland.

Obviously, it was the main stage that drew most of the attention with Martha Reeves getting many a welly-boot tapping to the likes of Heatwave as she delivered a Motown master-class.

The Shires, riding the crest of a new country wave carried on with the good vibe getting the majority on their feet with an enjoyable set.

 Kizzy Crawford

But the sound levels increased with the introduction of Jack Savoretti and his multi-national band who complimented the venue and the fact that it was the first ‘festival’ gig he’d played this Summer under beautiful blue skies and, one of the raunchiest voices in rock at the moment, his music had a powerful kick that raised proceedings to next level.

Jack Savoretti

To end the evening it was the turn of Tom O’Dell, another singer enjoying amazing success at the moment and whose blitzed opening and dramatic light show was a splendid way to end such an enjoyable day of music.