NOW ONE OF THE leading festivals on the British Country Music scene, it is held at the North Wales Theatre and Conference Centre on the promenade, just north to the main centre of the picturesque Victorian town of Llandudno, overshadowed by the rugged Great Orme.

Despite performances from country highlights such as of Iona & Andy's Festival Band and Kenny Johnson & Northwind, the band that drew the biggest applause of the whole weekend and left the fans talking was the Acme Bluegrass Band. They came, they played, they conquered… they took everyone by surprise! A simply thrilling performance from Acme, a word that is defined as "at the peak of perfection" and so they were.

The band consists of Bill Forster (banjo/vocals), Bob Armstrong (dobro/vocals), Ron Stevens (mandolin/vocals, John Allen (double bass/vocals) and, of course, Brian Curtis (guitar/vocals). Formed in 1976, they have stood the test of time with the principle of fine singing, sensational harmonies and excellent musicianship.

The Acme Band have a long list of Festivals credited to their name both in the UK and Ireland. They are featured regularly at the Heart of England Bluegrass Venue and appear at many prestigious venues, including the majestic Durham Cathedral, where they majored on their superb a`capella gospel harmonies.

With their instruments miked up in the traditional manner, rather than plugged in, they gave the audience a thrilling set containing folk, country, gospel and bluegrass. Opening with the Country Gentlemen's song Riverboat Fantasy, they included numbers such as the cowboy song Border Incident, and Merle Haggard's wonderful Today I Started Loving You Again. This five-piece instantly had the crowd on their side with their humorous approach, as comical Brian Curtis singled out various band members to take the brunt of the fun. But Brian was not to have his own way entirely - he received as good as he gave.

The band performed several quality numbers of their own, including Brian's Hello and Brian and Bob's stunning heartbreaker All Over Town, which leaves the senses reeling as the band creates the most wonderful harmonies. Their instrumental version of Pike County Breakdown gives the band an unobstructed opportunity to show of their musicianship, as the a cappela gospel number My Rock, My Shield showcases their marvellous harmonies unaided.

Both the classic songs and the self-penned material stood side by side in the warmth that The Acme Band drew from their audience. The quality of the music doesn't get any better than this and these guys will sit in the top of the tree of any music genre on the British scene.

Graham Lees, Dewesbury, W.Yorks Write to | Website | Gig report with photo | CD Review |

28 June 2000