Pogues Members to play charity Gig in Peterborough

[steve@thesurgens.co.uk]

ORGANISERS of the inaugural Randall Rootz Festival have revealed that members of world famous punk-folk band, The Pogues, will take centre stage at the three day event.

Drummer Andrew Ranken and whistle player Spider Stacy have confirmed that they will play on the opening night of the festival at The Brewery Tap, in Westgate, Peterborough, on Friday, August 17.

The two will play with Pogues tribute band, The Dead Rabbits, who are headlining on the night.

The Randall Rootz Festival has been organised in memory of talented city percussionist Mark Randall, who sadly died from cancer in February. Mark (34) played drums with The Dead Rabbits, which inspired the festival committee to ask Andrew Ranken to play the festival in tribute to Mark.

Mr Ranken said: "“We would love to be Dead Rabbits for the day and can’t wait to play Peterborough for the first time.”

Spider Stacy's decision to join in the festivities was an added boost for organisers.

Mark’s partner, Pat Murphy, said, “This is a great coup for the Randall Rootz Festival and gives us enormous credibility to be able to bring such big names to the city at our first attempt at putting on a festival in Mark’s memory. He would be so proud.”

The Dead Rabbits will be supported by Angry Man on the Friday, and proceeds from the festival will go to Sue Ryder Care at Thorpe Hall, where Mark was cared for in his final weeks.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, August 18, the festival continues in the Charters' beer garden, next to Town Bridge, with music starting at midday and running until the early hours.

The family-friendly day is free and open to all, with face-painting and story-telling for the kids, and live music from many of the acts that Mark was involved with.

The acts confirmed to play include Groove Cartel (soul/funk), King Kool (garage/rock), Flaming June (folk), Chris Watson (jazz/rock), One Eyed Cats (rock ‘n roll), Pooks Hill (alternative folk), The Surgens (twisted country blues), Holyman Jones (soulful blues) and The Gansters (ska & reggae).

The festival will wind down on Sunday, August 19, with an Irish folk jam held at Charters throughout the afternoon.

Festival committee chairman Andrew Whittaker said a special Randall Rootz Beer will be provided by Oakham Ales especially for the festival, which will also feature a mini beer festival at Charters.

He added: "We wanted to create an event that everyone will remember. We aim to start this new festival for Peterborough as we mean to go on, with lots of talent on offer and money raised for a very good cause."

Tickets for the Friday night entertainment will go on sale in July and cost £10 - all of which will go to Thorpe Hall Hospice.

All acts taking part in the festival are performing free of charge.

*For more details about the festival, visit http://www.randallrootz.org on line. To buy tickets, call into The Brewery Tap, Charters, Hereward Radio or call Andrew Whittaker on 07860 770005. The Pogues Roll Into Town For The First Randall Rootz Festival

[Zuzana]

Reports from a visitor (posted at unityrocks.blogspot.com):

Randall Rootz Festival
The crowd was heaving everyone and his dog turned up at The Brewery Tap, I used the term "dog" metaphorically, because there were actually precious few dogs there on the night. So we had a great party atmosphere going with loads of eager anticipation. (...) The Dead Rabbits with special guests, I forget their names, that's how good I am, any way they were members of the Original Pogues line up one was called Spider or summat. The other? who cares? It was a great night. They raised loads of money for the Sue Ryder Trust.

And some PICS of the Dead Rabbits with Spider Stacy and Andrew Ranken.

[tired but happy]

Not been on here before, but through site just wanted to thank Spider and Andrew for their part in fantastic gig at the Brewery Tap. Had hoped that the combination of some of the Pogues, The Dead Rabbits and a sold out pub venue could provide a night to be remembered, and wasn't disappointed. If you fellas enjoyed this half as much as the crowd please make it an annual event.[/img]

[Zuzana]

The outcome...

Memorial festival raises thousands for charity

26 October 2007
Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Full URL

FAMILY and friends of a Peterborough musician handed over a £4,000 cheque to the charity which cared for him in his final days.
Organisers of the Randall Rootz festival proudly gave money raised through a music festival to Sue Ryder Care’s Thorpe Hall hospice.

The event was set up in memory of Mark Randall – a keen drummer and music lover who lost his battle with cancer at the beginning of the year, aged just 34.

Friends set up the festival which took place at the end of August.

Two members of The Pogues were invited to play with Peterborough’s Dead Rabbits to launch the event, and a weekend of entertainment followed at Charters pub for all to enjoy.

The Brewery Tap even made a special Randall ale to sell to revellers – with all proceeds going towards the £4,000 total.

Sue Ryder representative Elinor Millward said: “A lot of hard work went into raising this money, and we really appreciate it.”

It is now hoped that the Randall Rootz festival could become a regular fixture in the Peterborough calendar.

[Alex]

Just found this on youtube:
Spider singing "Greenland Whale Fisheries"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1nW5XT_Be4

[Pyro]

Just found this on youtube:
Spider singing "Greenland Whale Fisheries"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1nW5XT_Be4

Ugh, that whistle is awfully off. But other than that, it sure is very nice!