Jam By The Lake: Live Music in the Durham Bubble

Arriving on Saturday 11th June for Van Mildert’s free annual music festival, Jam by the Lake, it was instantly clear that many fair weather supporters had been deterred from attending the highly anticipated event due to persistent rain. Despite the drizzle however, the enthusiastic crowd gathered in front of the main stage, pints of cider firmly in hand, refused to let spirits be dampened. Others opted to defiantly lay out rugs upon the lawn under a host of gazebos and colourful umbrellas. Their efforts were soon rewarded by the host of musical treats that followed.

With upcoming gigs at the O2 Academies in Newcastle and Islington, Durham’s own Venice Under Water offered refreshing proof that contrary to popular belief, the Durham bubble really can launch exciting new talent as they well and truly got the party started, throwing some indie/trance flair into the mix with pulsating drums and nu-rave style synths. Similarly, earlier acts The Love Pumps, described by NME as ‘clearly designed to get youngsters in the mood to smoke hemp and fornicate’, soulfully contemplative Ash Cooke and self-confessed ‘groovy blues’ gang Moist were thankfully unearthed from Durham’s seemingly non-existent music scene.

Ska and reggae fusion band Too Spicy commended Durham for ‘knowing how to skank’, whilst The Generals’ booming bass lines reverberated around Mildert’s lawn taking no prisoners. Newcastle/Sunderland five piece Chased by Wolves showcased a bluesy Americana style with lead vocalist Emma Williams adding a seductively feminine edge to the folky, Dylan-esque ‘Be My Love’. The quintet expressed gratitude towards those ‘sticking round’ despite the rain, their engaging, atmospheric performance a perfectly acceptable thank you.

In a sharp stylistic shift, experimental rap act Baron Von Alias arguably stole the show, despite having been drafted in at the last minute to replace a band that had been forced to pull out. Storming the stage like pros having performed at Newcastle’s Evolution back in May, Baron and partner in crime Mr Breeze, complete with top hat, suit, tie, moustache, pocket watch and sunglasses, ordered their mesmerised audience to ‘spas out like you’ve never spassed out before’ as the chorus to ‘Get Wild Gan Mental’ packed an innovative yet hefty punch.



Headline act Polarsets, of Radio One’s Big Weekend fame, returned for an encore due to popular demand after a memorable set last year. Their unashamedly DIY attitude to technical problems- ‘we just have to draft in some gaffa tape to fix the drum kit’- was endearing, their unfailingly enthusiastic efforts to create a summery vibe against the grey and rainy backdrop hugely successful. Counting Ellie Goulding and Delphic amongst acts they have previously performed alongside, their African style percussion soon had the crowd embracing their inner child, blowing bubbles onto the stage to feel-good tracks such as ‘Sunshine Eyes’ and ‘Morning Master’.

With an enticingly diverse line-up ranging from acoustic and folk to rap, punk and ska, Jam by the Lake delivered exactly what it promised despite the rain: an enjoyable, chilled out festival, free and open to all, with something on offer for everybody.

Link to Palatinate: http://www.palatinate.org.uk/?p=14148