Cats and pigeons at the Flying Horse!

Sophie's Pigeons - Feel Good Festival 2009

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The Flying Horse saw probably the most eclectic mix of bands in the Feel Good Festival music extravaganza. The acts booked by Red Deer Club promoter Duncan Sime provided a steady stream of music lovers with something for everyone, from the introspective solo artist ‘Voluntary Butler Scheme’ through the psychedelic offbeat music of ‘Cats in Paris’, on via hip rockers ‘Young British Artists’ to the very difficult to pigeon (sorry!) hole, folk/pop/ska sound of 'Sophie’s Pigeons’.

First up was a short keyboard and guitar based set by the Voluntary Butler Scheme and competent though the musicianship was, nothing really inspiring which perhaps was reflected in the sparse crowd. All that changed when Cats in Paris stepped on stage, their ‘unusual’ appearance, complete with what it appears is almost obligatory striking facial hair on the Manchester music scene, completely in keeping with their weird but wonderful sound.

Front man Watson has a piercing stare to match his piercing voice and plays keyboard and synth sounds that dash around like a ferret on speed!  And that's before he becomes an eccentric violinist. Backing him are solid but simple bass lines and probably one of the best drummers to grace a Rochdale venue in many years, quite awesome and dynamic, frenetic at times, close to the edge and yet always completely under control.

“Follow that” was the unsaid feeling as Cats left the stage and ‘Young British Artists set up, but follow it they did with a set of classic rock tunes that had the by now busy Flying Horse crowd buzzing.

The sheer volume and power of their ‘anthems’ was almost overwhelming and it was easy to see why the Chorlton based band is becoming popular on the festival circuit.

Highlight of the afternoon though had to be Sophie’s Pigeons; as they arrive on stage, three attractive young women, and a male drummer, or as one wag put it in the crowd, a very lucky b*****, you get the feeling just looking at them that this is going to be something ‘different’, and sure enough, no disappointment there as Sophie Nelson on keyboard leads her pigeons, with sax and melodica as well as drums, on a flight around folk, pop and ska with a flavour of punk thrown in for good measure.

The now packed Flying Horse crowd were quickly in tune with the beat and foot tapping, hand clapping, happy dancing ensued as the Pigeon’s took everyone on a magical mystery musical experience not to be forgotten.

Speaking exclusively to Rochdale Online Sophie said: “I am very happy to be involved, there is a great atmosphere in here.” Duncan Sime agreed adding his gratitude to what he described as “a great line up of talented musicians” – he wasn’t wrong.