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“A first ever live performance in the first ever performance slot at the first ever Berwick Fringe”. Let that sink in for a moment.
That was the experience of a young Berwick musician on Friday morning. They’d been coached for a time by Darren Holleywell of Amped Berwick CIC, who took the idea of a local fringe festival out of his head and made it happen. I know how the last number of months will have been all-consuming for him, probably summed up by a text he sent me on that opening morning: “that was the best four minutes sleep I’ve ever had!”
With any new venture there are always supporters, doubters and stick-in-the-mud objectors. So the job of a community music festival goes way beyond the event itself. It’s about encouraging more supporters, and persuading the doubters. There’s really no point expending energy on those who are never going to be convinced.
Following this weekend’s experience I can only see Berwick Fringe growing, but not in any commercial way. Without an infused sense of community, this event wouldn’t work. It’d become just another music festival. Berwick Fringe is about celebrating what we have, because Berwick really does punch above its weight in music, literature and the arts. We may not be unique in that, but why hide what we have?
When Darren first mooted the idea of a fringe festival, I imagined the first one would take in half a dozen venues hosting up to 20 acts. I think he did too. This weekend saw 15 venues open their doors to more than 50 acts. From the opening act Axl (accompanied by Darren on guitar), to a community choir, a ukulele jam, a school band, youth groups, singer-songwriters, duos, trios, full bands, and rock bands across all genres; young artists, new acts, established musicians, and professionals. All of them seemed to understand the motivation underpinning Berwick Fringe. I’ve never seen a town so happy. Every venue was bouncing, and hopefully enjoyed rewards for all their hard work. Every act gave their best.
This morning, Moira and I went down to town at 7am for the litter pick. Apart from a few seagull feathers, there was none. The council guys had already done their job, preparing the town for another busy summer Sunday. So hats off to the whole town for making this a true community event, but most of all, huge thanks to Darren Holleywell for his vision, energy, determination, and friendship. Next year will be even better. We don’t know how, but it will be.
Peace.
John