It’s always exciting going to a brand new festival, and the inaugural HIGH VOLTAGE was certainly something to look forward to. Finally, a big festival dedicated to classic rock music, in the UK. The festival is obviously geared to an older audience, and it’s location in the heart of London is ideal for those preferring a couple of nights in hotel, as opposed to camping in a field.

Considering it’s virginity, the festival was fairly well organised with only a couple of snags. Snag number one was the running order. Firstly, it was frustrating that it was left to just 48 hours before the festival kicked off to announce the stage times. More frustrating though was the number of clashes. For example, there was one point on Saturday afternoon where FOREIGNER, SAXON and ASIA were all on at the same time – and that’s crazy if you ask me. I find it astonishing why more festivals don’t adopt the Wacken approach, where the two main stages are next to each other, with bands alternating throughout the day, without a break between them. Snag number two? Well, there was much talk of real ale at High Voltage, and in particular special ales ZZ Hops and Heaven and Ale. Neither were in sight, and at several points during the weekend, no real ale at all was available. Obviously it was underestimated how many people like to drink proper beer, rather than the overpiced fizzy rubbish you get at most festivals. Still, I guess some real ale is better than no real ale.

So on to the bands, with the unfortunate premise that this review/memoir is often based on seeing just one or two songs of the setlists, due to the numerous clashes. Saturdays main stage action was kicked off by strong performances by both THE UNION and THE ANSWER, while ORANGE GOBLIN got plenty of heads banging on the Metal Hammer stage. Swedish true metal flag fliers HAMMERFALL also impressed on the Metal Hammer, rounding off their brief appearance with a rousing rendition of ‘Hearts on Fire’. Before that, I’d caught a bit of FOCUS on the prog stage, but much of their soft material was drowned out by the Metal Hammer stage, which was just a stone throw away. I learnt form this that to enjoy a band on the Prog stage, you had to get right down the front. Still, I did manage to catch FOCUS play ‘Hocus Pocus’ which went down a storm!

Blues mastermind, and former THIN LIZZY guitarist GARY MOORE was soon up on the main stage. Moore’s licks are still sounding as good as they always have, and the likes of ‘Empty Rooms’ and ‘Out in the Fields’ were as scorching as the hot London sunshine. Moore’s new material also sounded impressive, but there was no time for ‘Parisienne Walkways’, as in the end, time ran out and Moore virtually had to be pulled off the stage.

Staying at the main stage, next up were FOREIGNER, who were on top form, despite only having time for 9 songs themselves. Frontman Kelly Hansen has a great voice, and a real Steven Tyler swagger about him. Leaving FOREIGNER a few songs into the set, it was back down to the Prog stage to catch the original line up of ASIA, playing their 1982 self titled debut album, in it’s entirety. I can’t remember seing a tighter band performance than this, with the legendary Carl Palmer particularly outstanding on the drums. Unfortunately, the recent memory of seeing SAXON at Download will have to suffice, as I just couldn’t deal with the three band clash, and given SAXON tour so regularly, they were the band I had to miss. Sorry Biff!

After studying the clash ridden line up, the one band I wasn’t going to miss a second of was HEAVEN AND HELL. This was a completely one-off, never to be seen again show, with the band paying tribute to their late singer Ronnie James Dio. I thoroughly enjoyed the set, and thought that both Jorn Lande (MASTERPLAN) and Glenn Hughes did a great job on the vocals. The lesser known Lande has a voice that is almost a clone of Dio’s. Wendy Dio also came on stage to announce the Ronnie James Dio ‘Stand up and Shout’ cancer fund – but as her microphone was so low, and voice so soft, thats about all I caught of what she said. The set was rounded off with both singers ripping through ‘Neon Knights’. A less welcome Phil Anselmo ran on stage to join in, with band members and crowd alike looking rather bemused.

Headlining the main stage were rock’s most enduring trio, ZZ TOP, who’s mix of hard rock and blues rounded off the opening night of High Voltage in style. All the classics were played, from set opener ‘Got Me Under Pressure’, right through to the likes of ‘Cheap Sunglasses’ and set closer ‘Tush’. The orignal line up of Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard has stayed intact right from day one of the band, and such solidarity means that ZZ TOP’s live set is a close to musical perfection as you can get.

With the sun shining again, MARTIN TURNER’S WISHBONE ASH delivered the best lunchtime Sunday school service anyone could hope for. Their album ‘Argus’ is a lesson for all wannabe prog bands, and it was great to see the whole album played. It was then off to the main stage for the feel good rock n’ roll of THE QUIREBOYS, for whom Spike was on top form. On shortly after were UFO, who unfortunately were left standing helplessly for nearly 10 minutes after lead guitarist Vinnie Moore’s equipment failed. Once back on track, the likes of ‘Lights Out’ and ‘Doctor Doctor’ were delivered with aplomb.

There was then yet another clash to deal with, as I caught half of each of the sets by MAGNUM on the Prog stage, and BACHMAN TURNER on the Main stage. For me, MAGNUM are one of the most underatted bands in classic rock, and have enough quality material to headline a festival, never mind play a poxy 45 minute set in the middle of the afternoon. BACHMAN TURNER were excellent though, and given that live appearances from these two are very rare, it was well worth catching a few numbers.

It was then back to the Prog stage where URIAH HEEP were the latest band to peform an album in it’s entirety. This time, it was the 1972 classic ‘Demons and Wizards’. Former WHITESNAKE axe man Micky Moody made a guest appearance on the slide guitar, making this an extra special performance. Frontman Bernie Shaw has a great voice and really did the album justice, while original member Mick Box continues to blossom in his autumn years, and deserves real credit for carrying on the legacy of the band.

After URIAH HEEP, it was yet another trek, this time back to the main stage, where JOE BONAMASSA was rounding off his set with a cover of ZZ TOP’s ‘Just Got Paid’ – and yes, it was the second time the song was played over the weekend. After Bonamassa, the main stage was handed over to DEF LEPPARD frontman Joe Elliot, who along with members of the QUIREBOYS, has put together a fantastic tribute band to the music of the legendary Ian Hunter. The band goes by the name of the DOWN N’ OUTZ, and even Ian Hunter himself came out to join the band on the final two numbers ‘Once Bitten Twice Shy’ and ‘Who Do You Love’. The DOWN N’ OUTZ are great fun, and hopefully Joe will bring the band out for more dates in the future. Meanwhile, OPETH and DOWN had no doubt been hotting up the headbanging action over at the metal stage, while ARGENT and MARILLION kept the Prog stage ticking over.

The final band to perform were EMERSON LAKE PALMER. Reunited for the first show in 15 years, the three piece supergroup brought High Voltage to a close with a performance to remember. Many will consider ELP as a band for fellow musicians to enjoy, but as a non-musician myself, I’d say anyone can enjoy a band with such talent. ‘Fanfare for the Common Man’ was the encore number, after which, the High Voltage masses headed for the exit, surely well and truly satisfied.

So the UK finally has a dedicated classic rock festival that is big enough to attract the cream of the crop when it comes to the genre. Despite a few teething problems, the inaugural High Voltage festival was a resounding success, and for that reason, there is every reason to think that this festival can, and will happen every year from here on in. See you down the front in 2011!

Review by James Allman

Best Bands: HEAVEN AND HELL / ZZ TOP / MAGNUM / URIAH HEEP