Festival ends with flourish (From Free Press Series)

Festival ends with flourish

MUSIC lovers turned out in force to enjoy some outstanding live performances during the last week of the Monmouth Festival.

Rockers Akira Dawn were crowned winners of the ever popular Battle Of The Bands Competition while ska-punk band Adequate 7 took Monmouth by storm when they played on the main stage.

Fresh from the 38-gig tour, the Cardiff-based band is fast growing a big following.

The band proved to be a big hit with the crowds who formed a huge mosh pit in front of the stage in Agincourt Square.

Organiser Iain McIntyre said: "The kids were having a wonderful time and they were one of the best bands we have ever had."

The crowds packed into Monmouth on Wednesday night to see The Jets and a more unusual performance by Pretty Grim.

Wearing wedding dresses and pyjamas, the Pretty Grim stage performance included a Rolf Harris sketch on canvas, which the lead singer then jumped through.

Rockabilly band the Jets had the audience jiving in the square while Los Squideros brought a Spanish flavour to the festival.

On Friday the Dr Teeth Big Band updated classic standards from the 40s and 50s as well as ska music and blended it with their style of swing.

The highlight of their performance was when the lead singer jumped into the crowd and sang a couple of numbers from among them.

The festival drew to a close with a performance by Dictionary of Soul, who provided family entertainment.