Rock On by John Mahoney, T&A, 18 August, 1983.
HOW many groups can boast of playing their sound-check in front of 3,000 onlookers?
And Bradford University’s Free Rock Festival got it all right by getting bands out on stage as swiftly as they could, while the audience sat in the sun and soaked it all up.
The Hawaiian-shirted Surfing Dave rattled out his Beach Boys renditions while punks and skins jived at the front, the quick-fire wit of Seething Wells, brought early afternoon ranting with more poems about Tetley Bittermen, and Little Brother, acting as compere, finally had his own excellent 15-minute set.
Only Mr. Soft, a painted blend of mime and rant, looked out of place on stage and appeared to bore everyone stiff.
The music satisfied all tastes, from gentle pop in the form of 20th Century Hats, Boys From The East and Requiem, to punk, alive and pogoing with Anti-System and The Toyz.
On came Skeletal Family, late, for a shortened set, with Anne-Marie sporting a shock of flamingo hair. Still well up to scratch in the open air, the band played their debut Trees single and also the far superior Night disc.
As the sun began to set the Three Johns from Leeds had those fans back up on their feet for the final bop of the day.
From the faultless PA system to the ideal setting in the University grounds the event was an undisputed success.
The festival took shape following months of hard graft from the Bradford Centre Against Unemployment and the 1 in 12 Club. Both groups deserve a pat on the back for their efforts. They created a day to remember.