Feeling Good with The Fratellis & Co

Photo: Sam Kutereba-Wall

Feel Good Festival - The Fratellis

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The Fratellis left the audience in Rochdale town centre feeling good with a set of indie rock n roll that the crowd loved - despite them being soaked to the skin by the incessant and at times torrential rain.

The Brit Award winning Scottish indie rockers - lead vocalist and guitarist Jon Fratelli (born John Lawler), bass guitarist Barry Fratelli (born Barry Wallace), and drummer and backing vocalist Mince Fratelli (born Gordon McRory) - had Town Hall square buzzing.

Best known for their hit single 'Chelsea Dagger' - described by NME as 'a single sloppy pop song designed to make festival crowds stomp their wellies in time', a very apt description given there was plenty of wellie stomping in the pouring rain in Rochdale as the Glaswegian trio rolled back the years.

Supporting the Fratellis on the main stage behind the Town Hall were The Resonators, an eclectic nine-piece band with a unique and distinct, fresh dub-reggae sound.

After their set they said: "Fun gig - amazing audience staying to listen in the rain."

Councillor Janet Emsley was one of the appreciative audience, she said: "The Resonators were fantastic."

The Resonators

The rest of the line up on the main stage included Alex Cornish, The Twisted Dolls, The Bright Black, Boomin, Amy-Jo Clough and The Jackson Kay Band.

DJ Dave Sweetmore, making his seventh appearance at the festival, said: "Top set from The Bright Black, need to check more of them out."

Jonathan Doyle said: "Some fantastic bands for sure."

John Nokes said he expected lots wouldn't go due to the dreadful weather but it was "bursting to rafters as usual" and the atmosphere was "good".

Andrew Dodman summed up the feeling, he said: "Stuff the rain. What a bloody good night."

Howard Wilkinson agreed: "Most enjoyable, despite the rain."

Ben Boothman, owner of the Flying Horse and sponsor of the main stage, said: "Rain versus Rochdale at the Feel Good Festival - rain loses."

Councillor Janet Emsley, the council’s cabinet member for culture, health and wellbeing, added: “The line-up and sheer range of entertainment served up this year has been absolutely superb.

"The town was busy, the atmosphere fantastic and once again we showed that Rochdale can stage the best free music and food festival in the North West.”