Another trip to the lovely community venue the Crescent, York. I feel alive and alert again after a short period without any concert experiences. Our friendly taxi driver takes us (me, and carers Jan and Joanne) to Durham station, and an equally friendly passenger assistance guy is waiting with the ramp to get me onto the train to York.
At the other end another passenger assistant is waiting with a ramp and I am quickly on the platform. No sooner said and we are snug in the York Station Tap for a swift drink (mine is a large red, thank you) before the short walk to the Crescent. The venue is already full.
I must admit, and to my shame, I am not very familiar with the music of Ozrik Tentacles. But I have read about their connections with Gong, the alternative music scene, the free Stonehenge festivals, Glastonbury and other similar events. Imagine some sort of mash – up of Hawkwind, Gong, Steve Hillage, psychedelic rock, trance, dance and space rock and you are getting there.
The mainstay of the band is guitarist Ed Wynne who is well practised in Steve Hillage glissando guitar which he plays to great advantage alongside another guitarist, a flute player and a keyboard player. Add throbbing drumbeats, liquid lens 60s/70s light shows and lots of crazy dancing by the crowd and you get the picture.
I can’t pretend to have known the songs but the music is enticing, enthralling and encapsulating. Magic. And no drugs (they wouldn’t mix well with my medication anyway). Our view is not great as the venue is, quite appropriately admittedly, standing although Jan and Joanne do manage to sneak a couple of chairs in from the bar. We all enjoy the experience and I look forward to seeing the band again, this time with Gong as support in Newcastle next year.
A short wet walk up to the station and I have a chat with a guy from Newcastle who I last spoke to at the Cluny and another new friend from Northallerton. We all share notes on progressive rock band experiences. Great crack. Hope you both read this blog entry. Soon another friendly face helps me up a ramp onto the train and, as if by magic, the same happens at the other end. Thank you passenger assistance.
Our friendly taxi chariot awaits and whisks us back home in no time at all. I watch Coronation Street on recording and then drift off to sleep. Another fun time had by all. Many thanks to Jan and Joanne for the pictures and to Ozrik Tentacles for a hippie, trippy evening. It was almost the 1970s all over again 🙂
Ozric Tentacles are: Ed Wynne: Guitars / Keyboards; Silas Wynne: Keyboards; Brandi Wynne: Bass; Tim Wallander: Drums; Saskia Maxwell: Flutes.
Setlist (based on published previous set lists it could have been something like this; but then maybe not!): Eternal Wheel; Blooperdome; Sliding and Gliding; Kick Muck; Lotus Unfolding; Dub Jam; Sploosh!; Jellylips.
The Ozrik Tentacles logo/image is from my ticket
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by TerriersFan on August 21, 2023 at 7:16 pm
They sound fun, Peter.
I might have to hunt them down somewhere soon.
Roger 🤘
Posted by vintagerock on August 22, 2023 at 11:47 am
They certainly are worth checking out Roger happy days Peter
Posted by Andrew Barker on August 22, 2023 at 11:44 am
Lucky enough to see Steve Hillage and Miquette Giraundy backed by new Gong playing best of Hillage at Glastonbury this year. First class.
Posted by vintagerock on August 22, 2023 at 11:48 am
You make me jealous Andrew. Sounds wonderful. Happy days Peter
Posted by John on August 23, 2023 at 6:53 am
Hi Peter,
Nice write-up. I haven’t heard of this band but it does sound like a fun time down in York. I will now check them out on youtube.
All the best,
John
Posted by vintagerock on August 23, 2023 at 10:28 am
Yes they are also new to me John but definitely worth checking out. Happy days Peter
Posted by Deborah on August 24, 2023 at 2:58 pm
What a great evening! Thanks for sharing with all of us.
Posted by vintagerock on August 25, 2023 at 12:20 pm
Yes much better than I expected Deborah happy days Peter
Posted by ciarant1step on August 28, 2023 at 4:21 pm
Great to see that the gong legacy is still going strong. Glad that you had such a good time. I’ll be checking them out too.
Posted by vintagerock on August 28, 2023 at 5:16 pm
Good man Ciaran. Yes the Gong mythology continues onward. Happy days Peter