The BMF Tailend Party 2012

Written by: Mucka Jay Posted date: September 22, 2012 In: Gig Reviews

This was my first time going to a BMF event so I was very excited to see how things were done here compared to other bike shows that I had been to this year. First thing that I was pleased about was NO RAIN!!! All the bike events this year that TBFM had attended had ended up being rained through so that was a great start, BMF ordered the right weather!

We arrived on site at the East of England Showground and as our first time there, we were very surprised at the size of the place. I first thought that they must be having the BMF show on a small section of the place but I was wrong. We were met by the staff of the Mulberry Group who work hand in hand with BMF to organise and promote the show and found that everyone from the Event Director to the marshals wanted to help us with everything and were all very pleasant to talk to – very important after a long journey to see smiling faces.

After setting up tents in the ample camping area we headed over to the show to watch the Vertical Trix Stunt Team warming up for Saturday’s competition. I was genuinely surprised by the number of bikers who had already arrived at 3pm and had a feeling this was going to be a very busy show.

After grabbing a bit of food (there was a great selection on offer) we headed inside ready for the evening entertainment. We saw 4 great bands play to a very appreciative crowd including my favourite band of the night The Self Titled (who TBFM play on air a lot). As Friday was just the warm up night, the TBFM team headed back to base camp for a few refreshments before a good nights sleep ready for a very busy Saturday.

We were all up nice and early on Saturday so we grabbed the chance to take a look around some of the trade stalls. There was a massive selection of everything you needed for your motorcycle at very reasonable end of year show prices so there was a lot of people grabbing bargains in the morning. We had a chat to a few of the riders in the bike village and one that particularly caught mine and Mad Steve‘s attention was the Virago Star Owners Club where we chatted with their members and tried out a few of the bikes (I was drooling over the 1900cc cruiser they had on show).

We then set up in the bikes, blues and booze room where they had a massive selection of real ales on offer while 3 blues bands played some great tunes to chillout to in the sunshine. There was more going on in the arena with the Trix team and also on the speedway with the moped enduro which I had to go and take a look at (check out my review of that here).

The TBFM team were warming up for the evening band entertainment with headline band and fellow DJ Dr and the Medics. We tried a new set up for the live broadcast so that we could catch the crowd atmosphere as the main room started to fill up. I think there was a lot of people excited about seeing Dr & the Medics at the end of the night to round off such a perfect day of entertainment.

First band on, personal friends of mine from when I used to run a pub, Vankwish were amazing and really kicked off the night with a bang. We then had the band E11even who played a mixture of heavy rock originals and covers. I was backstage when the Band from County Hell appeared on stage and had to come and see what was going on as it was a very loud party atmosphere I was missing out on. The BFCH were a celtic band and really had the crowd dancing all around the room with classics including the Irish Rover!

The moment then came, I had been waiting 30 years to see fellow DJ Clive on stage with the Medics and it was then time to down tools and party for the TBFM team. After our youngest DJ, 6 year old AJ came out onto the stage to a rapturous applause from the crowd she introduced the Doctor and his Medics and the place was heaving. The Doc kicked straight in with You Spin Me Right Round by Dead or Alive and followed on with songs including Breaking the Law, Loveshack, White Wedding and Kids in America.

Everyone was partying and singing along and really getting into the spirit (excuse the pun) of the night and everywhere I looked people were smiling and really enjoying themselves which is what you expect after such a fantastic weekend. Of course, the band couldn’t finish without a 17 minute extended version of their 1986 number one hit Spirit in the Sky where they involved the whole room with a verse and chorus.

All in all, from a personal point of view, the BMF Tailend was one of the best events I had been to this year. The music, the food, the bikes and entertainment throughout was spot on. The layout was fantastic as you didn’t have to walk far to get something to eat or drink, all the marshals helped so much with everything too. A very well practiced event and so many wonderful people, it was a pleasure to be there on behalf of TBFM and we hope that we will be invited back again next year.

Listen back and re-live the party on TBFM as we will be replaying some of the bands shows very soon. Check out our Facebook Page for details.

- by MuckaJay
16.09.2012

http://www.bmf.co.uk
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