CAZFEST 2010
Jobbers Wood, Bishops Stortford
04/07/2010
Words: David Babb and Emma Bowdidge Photos: Emma Bowdidge
Now in it’s second year the Cazfest charity music festival was established in 2009 in memory of Caroline Johnstone (Caz). Caroline was a 17yr old ‘A’ level student from Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, while out with friends at a nightclub in 2008 she collapsed and despite prompt medical attention was unable to regain consciousness, the decision was made to turn off her life support 6 days later. Caroline died peacefully on 12th June 2008.
Organised by Caroline’s parents Lesley and Johnny and younger brother Ross with close family friends Cazfest is raising thousands for cardiac risk in the young (CRY). Heart failure is a condition which kills 12 young people in the UK every week.
Thanks to last years Cazfest over 200 local students were tested for signs of heart disease identifying problems in several students who received further testing and treatment proving that the testing is working.
A couple of local Bishop Stortford bands Roses In Rome and Bloodshot Summer kick start the day both with their unique sound of rock music. It’s a little quiet in front of the stage but it’s what you expect at the start of an all day festival with some top acts to enjoy later on in the evening. The next act solo artist Emily Jordan was recently in Africa at the World Cup to be exact to perform to 50,000 fans at a pre-concert for people who couldn’t get into the England Vs USA game but she’s now gracing the stage of Cazfest and treats us to her brand new single ‘Believe’ which was specially penned for the World Cup. Emily will be returning to South Africa to perform at another festival in Johannesburg’s Ellis Park Stadium ahead of the biggest match on earth, the World Cup final on July 11th.
Street Dancers
In-between change over’s throughout the day we’re treated to street dancers and other dance schools performing on the main stage which go down really well. When there’s not dancers on the stage keeping us entertained we’re reminded why we’re all here today with a rather emotional video message from Caz’s brother Ross on the big TV screen behind the stage. He talks about Caroline and raises awareness again about raising money for cardiac risk in the young (CRY).
Goldie DJ Set
Young Fathers
Back to the music Von Jergo bring their rockabilly/garage sound to the stage trying hard to pump the crowd up as front man Jonny Sumner jumps over the barriers and jumps around in front of the stage trying to get everyone who’s sitting watching the band peacefully to get up and jump about too, but to no avail. It was a shame to hear Billy Lunn of The Subways had to pull out due to ill health so the next remaining acts of the night were the one’s we’re all looking forward to seeing starting with The Holloways who get everyone up on their feet dancing and singing along to their catchy indie/punk music. While over in the dance tent Goldie takes over the decks to pump out fast drum and bass which fills the tent right up with people wanting to see the legendary Goldie in action and dance their feet off for an hour. All the way from Edinburgh and some familiar faces who played last years Cazfest are hip-hop trio Young Fathers who warm the crowd up nicely ready for the two major headliners on tonight’s bill Lemar and Tinchy Stryder to name drop.
Lemar
There’s a roar of screams as R&B sensation Lemar takes to the stage and kick starts his set with songs from his early career ‘Soulman’ and ‘Dance (With U)’. He states “This is my first time at Cazfest. Same time next year, yeah?”, the crowd agree without a second thought. Lemar puts on a fantastic set including more well known songs ’50-50′ and coming back for an encore after everyone screamed for more to play ‘The Way Love Goes’. Now it’s time for the hip-hop star Tinchy Stryder who’s not long arrived at Cazfest after playing a set at T4 On The Beach in Weston-Super-Mare this afternoon. From the start of Tinchy entering the stage the crowd whipped up into a frenzy screaming, jumping up and down waving their arms. Things really got going when he plays hit single ‘You’re Not Alone’ and treated fans to new single ‘In My System’. Other songs we’re treated to from his Catch 22 album are ‘Stryderman’ and ‘Never Leave You’.
Stryder rounds off his set with the well known N-Dubz collaboration ‘Number 1′ which he pauses during the chorus’ to listen to the crowd singing every word back to him.
Tinchy Stryder
With top acts such as Tinch Stryder, Lemar and Goldie along with many other artists and events this years number of festival goers easily eclipsed last years 2,500 visitors with final numbers expected to be over 3,000, this will result in many more students being screened this coming year and will continue to bring this condition to the publics awareness. All we can say now is roll on next years Cazfest!
For more information on CAZFEST and CRY please visit; www.cazfest.com and www.c-r-y.org.uk
Cazfest crowd enjoying Tinchy Stryder
