An early & excitable start
I made my two first festival friends on the train from Grantham. We had a pint in pub in The Lumley and then in The Red Lion we met another three of their friends and had a couple more beers, chatted with a local who is a Carter fan. After a stressful few weeks good news arrived by phone while I was in the second pub.
We shared a taxi to Butlins.
Bentley Rhythm Ace
My first full set of the festival was Bentley Rhythm Ace (I have some fond and vague memories of an early set on a Sunday lunchtime at V97 or V98. James Atkin always has a puppy bounce about him. I think I would enjoy him fronting any band but they were brilliant and entertaining and the crowd were well up for it – with acid face balloons, glow-sticks and big grins. James brought out his big flag.
I met my chalet-mate Lisa and Peter (I had met neither in real life before).
Jesus Jones
We were treated to a twelve song set. I had seen Jesus Jones jointly headline with EMF in October 2024. So I knew they could deliver all the hits and their crowd was a warm, nostalgic place to be.
They totally delivered here. Personal and crowd favourites were Zeroes and Ones, Right here, Right now and Who? Where? Why? The crowd were definitely up for the night and we were maybe saving ourselves a little knowing we had a full hour and half of Neds later too.
Ned’s Atomic Dustbin
This had a very bouncy mosh pit and crowd, loveliest looking out for each other crowd I have been in in a while though, Grey Cell Green and Kill your Television were totally wild as I expected. Leg End is in his own boots was a particular favourite of mine.
Last time I saw Jonn was at a Ned’s Acoustic Dustbin gig back in January 2020 just before lockdown. It was great to see them again and Jonn seemed to be really enjoying himself. I think his energy is partly why the crowd is so up for it.
I am looking forward to seeing them again at Bristol Gigantic Indie All Dayer on 3rd May.
An early night (ish) this will not last
I really do not remember what I did after these sets on the Friday just remember really buzzing after Neds, eating some loaded chips thing and knowing my feet couldn’t dance much more… maybe I decided to be sensible on my first night… this did not last!! So I have checked my fitbit and no steps after midnight and I have a photo timestamped as just before midnight of the bridge on the way home to my chalet 😊
Bedtime: 1.21am 28,437 steps Sleep 4 hours 36 minutes
Saturday 29th March
Woke at 6.45! Usual alarm time, unimpressed but buzzing Shiiine brain would not let me sleep
Up and dressed in sequined Bowie bunting by 1030am and ready for the day. I Went to Alan Leach quiz. I was surprised how many hungover people were up and ready for a quiz. We came about 40th out of 120 teams. My team was Julia and Dave, David, Paul and Chris.
I then went to the beach and had a meal deal and video-called my Mum for her birthday (didn’t quite make it to touch the sea because I remembered the time and had to rush back to Hotshots) I then went to a Gig Life Crisis group meet up at and we got a photo and then watched the Malakites who were very good. Went to meet up and put a sticker on which I hadn’t realised was still on when we were at the disco later marking Julia and I out as Shiiine Singles 😊
By 2pm I was flagging, to be fair, I had to go back to the chalet, take off my glittery Bowie bunting and just be in a place with no music and no people for half an hour with rubbish TV on and not moving for a bit.
Occasionally on Saturday someone came up to me and went ‘It’s you! Jim Bob interviewer, poet/book person.’ 😊 Nice to be known and lots of friends from gigs and groups over the years, some I had met before others not yet.
EMF
Due to clashes I knew I could only catch some of EMF (but I had seen them in Manchester in October and have tickets again for October in Leeds this year) but wanted to be there for all of it with the sad news about Derry needing major surgery for brain cancer.
I bumped into someone in the crowd who told me he loved my Jim Bob interview, I asked if he was at Chatham Library and he said he wasn’t but had read my blog write-up and loved it.
Lies and Reach for the Lasers were brilliant and I only just had chance to see Jim Bob join them for Children and grin at that and the big hug James gave Jim.
The Frank and Walters
Then, a quick dash over to Reds for The Frank and Walters who were brilliant!
I had seen Paul and Dylan at a small venue in Manchester called Gullivers earlier in the year and loved the intimacy of this, Paul came out into the crowd with hugs and I gifted him one of my books. I was overjoyed when he messaged me back the following day from the airport to tell me how much he loved the way I transported him back to the 90s.
I was hoping for a hug as I thought foisting an unrequested book on him was enough interaction for one gig. There was a wide gap between stage and audience in Reds so it was not to be. Was great to see a full band set for the first time since a Manchester Gigantic Indie All Dayer in 2014.
I reckon 9 years had been way too long. I have a few new favourite songs in Tony Cochrane, Stages, Plenty Times, Colours and How can I Exist and it was also great to hear some of my favourite songs from Trains, Boats, Planes. Especially Fashion Crisis and This is not a song.
Jim Bob and the Hoodrats
I thought it was a bold move to start the set with Bloodsport for All – setting the intentions to keep us here for the full set, just in case anyone was tempted to leave for 808 State or Hooky… I wasn’t going anywhere and it was great to see Sarah and Jez at the barrier. I had not seen them for ages. Lovely to have a bounce around with them both. I have been making a list of my favourite lyrics from Jim’s book and this set featured many of these. Particular stand outs were Bloodsport, Thanks for Reaching out, Summer of no touching, Papercuts and Only living boy in New Cross.
Niknaks and Steve Lamacq
I was ready to call it a night but then had a pack of Niknaks from a vending machine and a chat with Julia and Dave and then we decided we would go for a bit of the Steve Lamacq disco… we should have known it would be impossible to leave the dancefloor once we were on it.
Steve (along with Jo Whiley) introduced me to a lot of the tracks of my teenaged evenings though the Radio One Evening Sessions when babysitting on a Monday aged thirteen. I threw a book on to the stage as a thanks to him. I hope he might give it a bit of a read sometime. He was so cheerful and energetic.
I might get to meet him at Minehead Shiiine On!
We must have stayed for the disco after this too as I remember Adam swapping with Steve and then lots more dancing. Some guys hugged us into their circle and we had a good dance and flirt and one of them whispered ‘Just beautiful!’ to us in our sweaty, grinning happy states.
Bedtime: 5.17am 27,356 steps Sleep 3 hours 41 minutes
Sunday 30th March
Comedians – musical comedy, skits a good way to start the day. Met a few people who asked me about my book and some wanted to take a photo with me! That amused and baffled me a bit.
2p arcades and Burger King (it took me some time to remember how to make it work with a tap rather than a soft touch – missing Frank on Mothers’ day…). I bought a t-shirt with 72-hour party people on it.
Flagging a little
Not sure what I did for the four hours between things as I felt jet lagged, no energy but buzzing, not hungry but also really hungry, queasy and tired but unable to sleep. I decided to go back and have a chalet beer and some fruit in my room with some TV on. I then went for a wander again and chatted with some friends. Thought about going to the sea, but didn’t.
Prowsey and Amsterdam
Prowsey’s cocktail of politics, hope, joy and energy is totally what I needed to perk me up. Dessie Warren, Battle, Does this train stop on Merseyside? and Here I lie are among my favourites and Amsterdam and Ian stormed it and the crowd were lovely, as ever.
I recorded a couple of poems for documentary about record producer.
Sunset by the food van.
Another rest up with a chalet beer and some TV.
The Wonder Stuff
Miles and Co. delivered as I knew they would. Favourites this time were Caught in my Shadow, Feet to the Flames, Don’t let me down, gently, Red Berry Joy Town.
They are such fun to photograph too – always very active and look like they are having such fun.
Disco – The Million DJs After Party
We went to Reds where it all started for a final disco and we didn’t leave until around 4am. I had a great dance with Julia and then hung out with Kerry, Debbie and Steve and Co.
I clocked Prowsey over by the door so said Hi and he was there with a big hug. Asked him to sign my book and chatted quite a bit about how if I put on a gig the weekend of the big knees up in Liverpool he is fine for me share it over all the socials and he will share it for me too. He said, ‘Do come back and hang out with us if you like...‘ but I went to the bar and as I didn’t know anyone else and they weren’t forthcoming in introducing themselves I felt too awkward and then went off dancing with Julia for a while.
Then, Miles had appeared with little fanfare at the back. I danced close to the gathering but aside from it and had a nice chat with an excitable couple from Canada who were on trip of a lifetime.
Miles was chatting with a mate to the side and people who were waiting to chat to him got inpatient after he was away for a few minutes and went over to interrupt the conversation. I think it must be annoying when you feel you are off the clock and just want to relax but people feel some ownership of you. Partly why I try to avoid getting photos with people I consider to be friends now. But this was too good an opportunity to miss with Miles and Ian in the same place!
Before/in case Miles stormed off I asked Ian if he reckoned Miles would come over for a photo. So, Ian went over and politely asked if he could borrow Miles. Miles bounced over with a ‘Ah! It is you! How the devil are yah? How’s the book going? ’ and a hug. A greeting that has to be responded to with a grin. ‘So, shall we get a photo then?’
I then led Miles over to a bar so he could sign my book and said it would only take a second, I knew fans were waiting.
After that I went over to dance again with Julia, David and Paul. The floor was thinning out and someone decided to do doughnuts on their scooter so we had to avoid the figure eights it was doing.
Bedtime: 4.44am 35,238 steps Sleep 2 hours 42 minutes
Monday 31st March
Homeward bound
Woke up at 9.30am – dancing Butlins bears! Taxi to train station with 3 people I just met, sold all 3 of them books on the journey 😊 We went for a pint when 3 trains cancelled, 3 with guards who will not allow standing and then one of my next trains was cancelled due to train fault.
Then met four of the original five from train on the way in. Another pint or two then a train and finishing off chalet ales. Grantham we lose two more and it is down to Chris and Jonny and Kerry and partner (who we met in the Grantham station tap).
We arrived back in Leeds and Chris went home and Kerry, partner, Johnny and I had a few more beers at pub in Leeds then one final train home.
Top 5 of festival
1. Ned’s Atomic Dustbin (so good to see Jonn back owning the stage!)
2. Jim Bob and The Hoodrats (tightest set I have seen in ages – on fire!)
3. The Frank and Walters (brilliant full band set – so good!)
4. Prowsey and Amsterdam (mid afternoon wake-up I totally needed)
5. The Wonder Stuff (Usual bouncing energy and loved Miles’ redcoat)
Also due to clashes and energy dips I only caught part sets by Abdoujaparov, Kingmaker, Collapsed Lung, Echobelly, The Woodentops, Thousand Yard Stare, The Wedding Present but enjoyed what I heard.
Roll on Shiiine On! Minehead November 2025
So, this was such a joyful place full of the bands I loved when I was a teenager with people who loved them too. I returned to work and then shuffled my leave around so I could go to Minehead Shiiine too. Book leave, sort childcare, then sort out what I am going to do for accommodation/someone to share with.
A few days later James got in touch and asked me if I wanted a 20 minute spot before the quiz on the Sunday at the Minehead Shiiine on! and soon after that I see the posters with my name on and lots of the other bands I want to see, Jonn Penney and Steve Lamacq in conversation and Rob Newman! Excited!
Book for Minehead Shiiine here:
Shiiine On – Minehead 14/11/2025 | Butlin’s Big Weekenders
Sarah L Dixon Writer 
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