Rockabilly Rave organiser Jerry Chatabox was delighted with the success of this year’s rave. The event is now a truly global festival with acts from Finland, the Netherlands and the US as well as lots of UK bands. Performers included Australia’s Scotty Baker, Jake Calypso from France, Portugal’s “AJ and the Rockin Trio” and “Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys” from the US. A little while back Australia’s Baker proposed to a woman called Eva in the middle of a gig – and in true romantic rockabilly fashion Eva joined her new husband on stage.
One of the most interesting acts was the USA’s “Los Straitjackets”, behind whose masks are allegedly Lord Lucan, Elvis Presley and Dame Vera Lynn. This illustrious trio were joined by a chimpanzee on the drums – you had to be there – and they certainly got the crowd going. The Lindy-hoppers on the dance floor were enjoying themselves far too much to question whether Elvis really had entered the building.
As well as the non-stop live performances, devotees of 1950s Americana could indulge themselves at the specialist record shops and period clothes stalls that were open throughout the weekend, as well as popping into Rye for a bit of food and shopping and the chance to meet the town crier. Then it was back to the dance floor to enjoy the fabulous music as well as the chance to hook up with old friends and make new ones.
If you want to know more about next year’s party to celebrate Rockabilly Rave’s 21st or find out more about the rockabilly scene then visit the website here.
Photo: Seana Lanigan