COVENTRY Music Museum Curator Pete Chambers BEM writes for the Observer.

Godiva 2021

Yes, there were changes, for obvious reasons but The Coventry Godiva Festival 2021 was another success, so congratulation to all the team once again.

Even the weather turned out to be better than expected, but for me it’s always about the music – especially local music – that makes Godiva very special.

So as much as I appreciated the likes of Therapy? and the wonderful Big Joanie and the reggae delights of Macka B and The Roots Ragga Band it was bands like The Bad Devine, Candid and Roddy Radiation’s Skabilly Rebels and The Selecter that ruled the stage for me.

Local music is such an important part of Godiva, and long may it remain.

Roddy hit the spot-on Saturday afternoon with his own versions of some of The Specials well-known songs including many of the ones he penned himself.

The audience was building and so was the atmosphere, by the time The Selecter hit the stage the sun was out, and the crowd was ready to party.

They looked the business with the inclusion of original drummer Aitch Benbridge – it was good to have him back and good to see the bands dynamic work to perfection as they skanked their way through classics like Three Minute Hero and Too Much Pressure.

I managed to catch some of Abz Winter’s set on Saturday, as a former Coventry Music Museum Artist of the week it was great to see how far she has advanced with her exceptionally polished show.

Bad Devine were amazing and opened the whole event in rocking style, and although I didn’t manage to catch them, I hear great things about The Astras a Coventry calling winner.

Here’s to next year.

Dill Number Nine, I Stripped Bare

Dill one of Coventry’s hardworking musicians is back with his ninth album ‘I Stripped Bare’.

Famed as the extrovert lead vocalist in the changeling groups Gods Toys and ‘I’, this man’s art shows no signs of slowing down and nor should it.

He has consistently produced music that neither follows any new trends or conforms to any ‘norm’ other than his own.

Originality is the key here – this is art in its finest musical form, something Dill has majored in most of his career.

Though it always remains accessible and never pretends to be anything it’s not, what it is gives the listener a glimpse of the workings of a creative mind and an audacious spirit.

This new CD continues the art trend, the album kicks off with a mighty track ‘All My Life’, superbly produced, a powerful anthem perfect to begin this something of a spiritual journey.

‘Better or Worse’ is musically brilliant and would make a great single track.

‘I’m Coming Up’ is another single contender, with Dill doing what he does best – throwing a captivating rhythmic vocal narrative over a gloriously busy backing track.

‘Lardi Lardi’ is my favourite track, African beats and relentless vocal rhymes tell the tale of gluttony and world starvation, only Dill could pull that one off.

Having completed eight albums plus a best of that I’m assuming this is something of a crossroads album for Dill.

His great work and a ferocious appetite for his music sees him continue his musical journey. If you have yet to sample the delights of Dill’s muse I can only suggest you pick up one of his many CD’s at either the Coventry Music Museum or here at bandcamp.

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