Caravan

St Mary's Church, Ashford

Prog-rock pioneers Caravan and Syd Arthur, the apparent heirs to the Canterbury Sound, combined for a special night of music in Sandwich.

Around 300 people packed into the 14century St Mary’s Church, now an arts centre, last Friday night as Pye Hasting’s veteran outfit returned to Kent as part of a sold-out UK tour to commemorate the 40anniversary of their album ‘For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night.’

Meanwhile, for Canterbury-based quartet Syd Arthur it was a homecoming performance on the back of a brief tour of the United States.

It fell on the shoulders of the latter to warm up the audience, playing tracksMoving World, Ode to Summer, Dorothy and Edge of the Earthfrom album On and On, which was released last year to much critical acclaim and prompted plays on BBC Radio 2, BCC Radio 6 Music, XFM and others.

Caravan, proving they can still draw a crowd 45 years after they first formed, reeled off their own classics,Memory Lain, Hugh / Headlossand The Dog, the Dog, He's at It Again, Golf Girl and In the Land of Grey and Pink.

The historic night was put on by Smugglers Records and Dawn Chorus Recording Company.

Caravan’s next big gig will be playing at Rockin’ The Park in Nottinghamshire on August 16, while Syd Arthur have a busy schedule, playing six festivals over the summer including Hop Farm, Lounge on the Farm, Womad and Green Man.

James Scott