It’s been a successful six weeks for London’s grungiest arts festival. Since January The Vault at Waterloo has shown a stream of new theatre, music and performance, both experimental and main stream. Each day saw at least ten different productions – it’s like the Edinburgh fringe compressed into one venue so you don’t get soaked walking between performances. If you missed this year keep a look out for the next edition, it’s definitely one of the highlights of London’s indie arts scene.
The stage at the last Friday evening shindig of the Vault Festival was strewn with instruments. Guitars, trumpets, horns, accordion, keyboard, drums were all on show, along with an unopened can of Old Speckled Hen by the lead singer’s mike. The Keston Cobbler’s Club were in town and ready to celebrate with a fast-paced set and a lot of whoa, whoa, whoa-ing.
Unlike most bands the five musicians – Julia, Matthew, Bethan, Tom and Harry – can’t be defined by their instruments, as their instruments keep changing. The drummer stays behind his drums, but otherwise they move around the stage between songs, picking up new instruments. The trumpeter becomes a guitarist. The accordionist takes over the keyboard. The bare-footed lead picks up the accordion. They started off a cappella but soon the instruments kicked in and the band created a rollicking student union atmosphere, complete with special dances. Instructions for the audience to join in with the moves included the unusual Run, run, run, run. Boob, boob. Sweat, sweat. Swing the baby and chuck it.
To complete the evening the Ceilidh Liberation Front treated the crowd to some of their glorious chaotic synchronicity. ‘We take no responsibility for injuries’ announced the caller, which gives a sense of the excitement of the dancing they encourage. Spirited fiddling kept the feet moving. Not in the right direction but close enough. The great thing about the Ceilidh Liberation Front is that you can join in the dancing without knowing what you are doing. In fact it adds to the fun if you have no idea what you’re doing. The caller is patient as she explains the no-doubt simple moves that seem anything but when it’s your turn to try them. The CLF basically organise good-natured lunacy on the dance floor.
A fun end to the 2015 Vault festival. Bohemia with a smile, like the old days.
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