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

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Artist: The Stranglers
Genre: Punk Rock
Performing: 5th July 2003 / Stage 1
Website Address: http://www.stranglers.net
Author: Anna Rooke

Guildford has a special significance for The Stranglers - it's here that they originally formed (or in the nearby village of Chiddington) back in 1974, under the name of the Guildford Stranglers. Okay, the line-up was slightly different (current lead singer Paul Roberts didn't join until 1990 and back then Hugh Cornwell was fronting the band) but nevertheless, the fact that they've played Guilfest for two years running, proves they haven't forgotten about Guildford, despite dropping it from their name.

Performing on Saturday night, pre-Madness, The Stranglers stormed the main stage with an assortment of punk classics, including 'Peaches', 'Golden Brown', 'Always the Sun' and their cover of The Kink's 'All Day and All of the Night'. I managed to catch an elated Paul Roberts as he came off stage to ask him a few questions for the website

Have you enjoyed yourself today?
F***ing excellent!!

Do you think the crowd loved you?
Yes, I loved it and they loved us

The Stranglers originally formed near Guildford, under the name of The Guildford Stranglers. How does it feel to be back here now?
Fan-BLOODY-tastic!!

(brief interruption as Martin, bass-player from The Lightning Seeds, comes over to greet Paul. Gleeful acknowledgement on both sides, brief conversation ensues.)

If you could book your own festival, who would be performing?

Jimi Hendrix and The Stranglers. Muhammed Ali talking to people. Spike Milligan doing jokes with my Dad. Tricky doing 'Maxinquaye', the whole album. Pink Floyd doing 'Dark Side of the Moon'. The Clash, Madness, The Damned of course. and Bach.

And a final message for Guilfest?
Thank you so much!