Coventry Godiva Festival 2008
All Images © BBC.co.uk
It was a festival with an impressive line up (the Enemy, The Ripps, Jez Low), an alcohol ban and an abysmal weather forcast but as Rob said to a packed venue, what is a festival without a but of mud?
This was Halligan's third time at Godiva and after missing last years (probably for the two years in a row rule) this was indeed a triumphant return. And it wasn't the rain that drove them into the Rhythms Tent at 4pm on a Sunday afternoon. In fact, the sun was out for most of Robs set, but the troubadour did a stunning job of holding an expectant croud in the palm of his hand.

Bursting in with a brand new song, played on a brand new guitar apparently, Rob and Co launched into the set as well as any seasoned performer. He had with him a couple of 'mates', Gav and Hew playing guitar and percussion respectively and the sound was suprisingly big. The second song seemed to be a bit of a favourite with the crowd. 'Dancing with Seagulls', another 'big' song that had some joining in with chorus. Then a change of guitar and a change of style. He'd won the folk crowd over and so was onto a nylon strung guitar and with some 'Level 42 esq' slap featuring. It struck me that Rob is no lead player but his rhythm techniques throughout the gig were exemplary. Then came the ballad, 'This Road' followed by the introduction of 'Mr Pete Banks'. I have a feeling I should know who this legend is but i don't.

However, the songs that followed were good though Rob changed guitars and the sound lost some of it's bigness as a result. Rob had the tent singing 'Carry me Home and Followed it up with Another of Mr Legendary Banks' , 'Billy Billy' which Imust say was a good rocker, even with acoustic guitars and bongos!

The set finished with 'Eleana' which I had heard before on myspace. It's about a girl Rob knew who died of AIDS but rather than leaving a sober thought, the upbeat passion and energy had people bouncing around the tent.

This was a very convincing introduction to a singer/songwriter whos performance is way beyond his league.

RotCod C - Birmingham July 2008