With Love From Moofest To You
Next up on the blog we meet another member of the moofest team. Many of you are probably familiar with him from his constant pushing of moofest, putting out flyers at your gigs, bending your ear about moofest, but we assure his love for all the artists and bands is second to none, moofesters meet Jamie;
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Jamie and I’m one of the few people behind moofest.
What inspired you to start moofest?
Moofest came about following the demise of Tockholesbury. I had an itching to do something else afterwards but wanted it to be outside as I had grown bored of the restrictions of putting bands on in venues. (Undoubtedly the biggest misconception I have ever had because putting gigs on outside if 100 times worse and a hell of a job to get the right people on side to let you do it and for it to go ahead).
I was fed up with going to festivals in the Blackburn and Darwen, where the main stages catered for bigger acts and were not interested in giving the local bands any real exposure or reward but were happy to have them on in supporting slots. I wanted to see the bands who are working hard to try and make a living from music given a stage to stand on and perform to their home crowds.
Any profit that is made from moofest is going to be given back to each and everyone of the artists involved, we will make no money from this what so ever. People look at me like I am crazy when I say that but we believe in all the 47 artists appearing and believe that they should be rewarded for their art. I would love to be able to pay hundreds of pounds to everyone performing but in reality we just can’t, however if the event is successful then this could well become a reality to do that we need as many people as possible to come to moofest and enjoy the day. Yeah I understand that you might get the chance to see these bands in towns and for free but are we really supporting them by doing this? Come on people come to moofest, get out of the towns and cities and come and see a load of decent music for £5 a day.
What kind of great music can we expect this year?
Difficult one without upsetting anyone. We have a really amazing line up again this year. Many of the artists who appeared last year are coming back again. Some of these bands like Roosevelt Room and Good Foxy have just taken it on to another level in the past year. I am particularly excited by Hot Vestry and really impressed with their whole image and sound, I can’t tell people enough not to miss that one.
Two of my favourite bands on the bill are The Slydes and Today They Are Older who just keep getting better and better every time I see them. If you want raw energy then Kris Fogg earned his place on the main stage this year following an eye catching performance on the Cow Shed stage last year.
Also Grace Davies has made the move from the Cow Shed stage to the main stage, I’m sure big things are going to happen to this young lady. Teri Birtwistle will be making her moofest debut on The Sunbird Records stage, absolute belting voice. The Sunbird stage has a real eclectic mix of style and genres over the weekend so make sure you don’t miss any of that.
Mark Morriss always put on a great performance mixing some The Bluetones classics with his own solo material and a few covers, fingers crossed he does the East 17. The Good Foot are appearing for the first time and look like they are just going to bring a full on funk party to the main stage which will have everyone dancing.
This year we have also managed to introduce some Dj’s as part of the After Shed silent disco. These guys will be playing an absolute mix up of every genre you can imagine – just make sure you bring your dancing shoes to that because it is just going to go off.
I love everyone on the bill really and think that is important when curating the line ups. If you can’t enthuse about the artists, bands and Dj’s playing how can you expect people to turn up and take note.
What’s your favourite record?
Good question and sways from time to time. The three that have always stayed with me are Northern Soul – The Verve, Revolver and Abbey Road by The Beatles.
Northern Soul has some absolute stompers on it but the stand out track for me is Life’s an Ocean. Revolver I have loved since I was about 15 and got from the local Our Price, I was lucky to grow up listening to The Beatles thanks to my Dad as he played them at full blast most Sunday Mornings or really loud in the car on the way back from family parties in the early hours of the morning whilst driving down country roads. My Favourite track is probably ‘And Your Bird Can Sing’. But who doesn’t love Abbey Road? Come Together sets it up, The Harrison classic of ‘Something’ and then ‘Sun King’ to the end of the record just absolute genius.
What did you have for breakfast this morning?
Porridge and Honey with a cup of coffee
What’s your favourite breakfast cereal?
I’m not a big breakfast kind of guy but if I were to go for one it would be Frosties – there great!
What would you do if you were invisible for a day?
I would probably go and into some major record label offices and sign up all the quality bands I know who don’t get given the opportunities they deserve.
What’s your favourite cheese?
Blacksticks Blue
What’s your favourite sandwich?
Cheese and Pickle – has to be Branston, accept no alternatives kids.
Why do you put up with Iain Ruffo Rutherford??
We is part of great band and wears some lovely dresses 
Did you have a nickname at school?
Jugs – it was given to me by one of my friends dads because of my large ears!
Have you ever written a fan letter?
I don’t recall doing so, but my cousin did for me once to get John Barnes autograph, both she and John Barnes are both legends.
What’s your most disgusting habit?
Picking my nose
What’s your favourite word?
Can you think of a good poem about moofest?
Moofest, Moofest
You are the best fest
The music’s great
so don’t be late
The food is fab
It’s not made in a lab
So come on down
And get out of town
Because Moofest is the place to be
Any last words?
I just want to say that you may see me around giving out flyers, pestering you to play etc. etc. but I am not the only person behind moofest, without the support and help of Patricia and Mark this festival would not happen.
We don’t want moofest to be about us, it really is about the bands, artists and people who come to moofest that is about, we just want to make it happen for everyone.
