MASSIVE WAGONS – ‘WHEN ROCK RETURNED TO COLLEGE’ – THE GREAT HALL, LANCASTER UNIVERSITY
First a bit of background, back in the day the only way to access live music was to get out to a gig, sounds easy, eh! However, access to transport/money and opportunities was not as forthcoming as it is today. For the most part, we had to trawl the record shops/local venues and limited radio stations that played the music to find out what was happening, Tommy Vance’s Friday Night Rock Show and the goddam Ceefax pages were a godsend. TV coverage was not the best, so when the groundbreaking Rock Goes To College series came along it had a ready-made and willing audience. The series itself lasted for around three years but its legacy lived on for many years as it got the names of these iconic venues out across the country to a wider audience. The Great Hall, Lancaster University, was one of these venues, even though it only made one appearance on the series it had already secured its place in rock history. Through the musical prowess of Barry Lucas it staged some of the best and newest music around which included The Who, Pink Floyd, The Scorpions, Tina Turner, the list goes on, Barry is also the author of best selling book When Rock Went To College 1969-1985 3rd edition, a veritable who’s who in music.
Moving forward and those homegrown rockers Massive Wagons planned two nights of shows to bring rock back to college with an agenda that covered many aspects other than just having a great time rocking out with their fans, which I admit they did admirably. They are also ambassadors for Metal For Good, big promoters of Andy’s Man Club and also spend a lot of time visiting schools as Baz & Adams ‘Forget The Haters’, talking to the kids and spreading the anti-bullying message, all of which was pushed over the weekend and indeed at most of their shows and socials. Details and links below.
Underlying all of this was to highlight The Great Hall and what it could be again and maybe more importantly for us fans was to record the whole event for a live album, who doesn’t like a live album eh.
It all kicked off on Friday with a matinee show for 500 or so kids from the local schools. This is something the band had wanted to do for a long time as it not only supports their anti-bullying campaign but also brings the live music experience to the kids, many of whom may not have experienced a full-on live music show before. The smiles and cheers were real and unbiased and they didn’t hold back as they rocked out to a short set with the underlying message from the band to Forget The Haters, keep an eye out for your friends, and it’s okay to have fun and enjoy yourselves. The big kids, sorry teachers, seemed to be having as much fun as the kids, and why not?
The full live shows on Friday and Saturday nights featured local Lancaster bands Harrison Rimmer Band and Life In Neon as openers, both played exciting sets to the eager crowd. Friday’s main support came from the immensely wild and energetic Virginmarys and hard rockers The New Roses took up the challenge on Saturday. Hosts Massive Wagons played two inspired sets and did what they do best, back to the stack rock music which the amassed crowd lapped up and partied the night away, making memories and, I’m sure many hangovers.
Massive Wagons, a band I’ve been following since seeing them at the SOS festival in 2013, have captivated me with their raw rock sound. Baz’s gritty vocals, Stephen and Adam’s twin guitars and searing solos, and Bowz and Alex’s powerful rhythm create an electrifying experience. However, building a following requires commitment and connection with fans. In It Together, a song written by Baz about his first meeting with Ginger Wildheart, encapsulates their message of unity and resilience. Without bands, there are no fans, and without fans, there are no bands. Their survival depends on each other, and a band’s performance or a fan’s interaction with is everything.
I for one hope this event shows the powers that be at Lancaster University that The Great Hall can be just that again, Great, and with a bit of passion and money can be a huge benefit not just for the University but also for the wider music scene with shows and events that can benefit all ages.
Causes:
Metal For Good – Fund ideas that use the values of rock and metal to end inequality, improve wellbeing, and provide life-changing opportunities.- https://metalforgood.org
ANDYSMANCLUB – A men’s suicide prevention charity, offering free to attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online. We want to end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and help men through the power of conversation. #ITSOKAYTOTALK – https://andysmanclub.co.uk
F.ck / Forget The Haters – No place for bullying in any walk of life, promoted by Massive Wagons and most decent people to be honest. www.massivewagons.com
When Rock Goes To College – Barry Lucas & Paul Tomlinson – 1969-1985 3rd ed ISBN 13: 978-1-910837-49-8
Words & Photo Credit: Simon Dunkerley
