GuilFest 2005. The Guildford Music Festival on 15th, 16th and 17th July 2005

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Artist: Daniel Bedingfield
Genre: Pop
Performing: 6th July 2003 / Stage 1
Website Address: http://www.danielbedingfield.com/
Author: Stuart Dowling

Believe it or not I was impressed with Mr Bedingfield's performance both on and off stage - and I didn't even have a son or daughter dragging me over to see him play. Bedingfield did a solid job of giving the fans what they wanted to see - and those that were there to mock him for adding a slightly teeny pop edge to the festival were quickly silenced when his band cranked up the volume and dare I say it.... rocked!!
Its true folks, if you missed him then you'll not believe me but his band certainly packed a mean punch - more rockin infact than some of the other acts that graced the Main stage that weekend.
I watched with interest as Bedingfield ran the lengths of the stage determined that he wasn't going to disappoint his legion of little admirers intent on screaming his name - but I think it was when he launched himself at the stage rigging and climbed to the top that I thought, "now I wasn't expecting that!"

He dangled one handed whilst continuing to sing, then swing a few more runs towards the middle of the stage, hang and sing some more and his army of mini bedingfields roared with delight (in a kind of unbroken voice kinda way) then it hit me! Isn't this what Guilfest is all about? I stood and soaked up the atmosphere of parents and kids enjoying a solid performance from a young fella who obviously means so much to his fans.

It was back stage when I watched something that made it all make sense. Despite Mr Bedingfield being desperately tired and his team seemingly eager to spirit him away in his blacked out transport, he refused to leave until every waiting fan had been seen and t-shirts signed - even those unable to come back stage but watched and screamed through the fence, he was only too happy to run along the perimeter and spend time talking and holding hands through the small mesh for what seemed like ages. Then when there seemed a quiet spell amidst the caos I watched him fall into his vehicle and reach desperately for a drink, door slamming shut and he was away- he looked knackered but he left an impression on me that i appreciated. Yes he is a kid idol and no doubt a poster on many a kid's bedroom wall, but unlike some of the people back stage - his fans were the most important thing to him.

I'll not be rushing out to buy his album, no, but I will tip my hat in a mark of respect to a performer who fitted into Guilfest as much as the burger vans and beer tents- Guilfest is maturing into the family festival that organiser Tony Scott battles so hard for through the red tape and beaurocratic barriers that so many put in his way - this moment in the weekend made me smile a satisfied smile, and strangely, Daniel Beddingfield made me (a hardened rocker) smile.