Sunday 16th March

C2C Jack Daniel’s Big Entrance Stage

There something fitting about standing under a blue sky with the broad horizon of the Greenwich peninsula stretching down to the Thames. It’s certainly a vista that can match the impact of Cory Marks’ country: this guy has edge, and rebel soul by the truckload, bringing rock, and plenty of seismic sizzle to his brand of performance.

Heading out on the C2C circuit,  with a band to bring his material alive, we’re served highlights from last year’s  album, and select cuts. It’s a rapid fire feast, proving to be more like a headline party: never have such a huge midday Stetson wearing crowd been more ready to flick the horns to hot-wired riffs.

Devil’s Grin and A Different Kind Of Year are all smile inducing swagger. And, Blame It On The Double and (Make My) Country Rock shout bold and beautiful with every note, leaving Outlaws & Outsiders to tease out the final reluctant headbangers and air punchers. Then, it’s cards on the table, as they can’t resist sneaking in a brief coda from The Spirit Of Radio by Rush: hell, he is Canadian after-all.

The raunch ‘n’ roll gives way to an acoustic outing for the bottled emotion of Sorry For Nothing and an all too early finish time. Naturally, a long winding queue forms to meet the man himself, whilst the early revellers soak up some very welcome warm rays of sunshine. This is what C2C does best…a lot of talent, commitment, and big, big, country.

Dave Kushar