Live music has not been this healthy in Kent for a while, thanks to events like the Maidstone Fringe Festival. Chris Price chatted to Howl On Vinyl about the revival of a town’s scene

It is official: watching bands is cool again.

“About four years ago it disappeared but now people are getting back into live music,” said Kenny Moran, frontman of Howl On Vinyl, who are among the headliners of the Maidstone Fringe Festival.

“It went quiet because people were not going out as much. Also a lot of venues were charging an entry fee, but a £5 admission charge does not go down well with people who have not got much money.

“This festival is a great opportunity for people to get hold of new music. There is a lot of talent musically, which is really improving.”

Over five days, the county town will be taken over by more than 100 bands performing mainly free shows at over a dozen venues. This is the second Maidstone Fringe Festival and the event is being heralded as proof of the renaissance in Maidstone’s live music scene.

“It is the county town and there are a lot of venues that can host live music,” said Kenny, 27, who is from Maidstone.

“It is a busy town with a good nightlife. A lot of people will watch bands and go to a club afterwards. There is such a good choice of pubs and bars that people can make a full night of it. The live music scene’s strength is what is going on around it.”

The turnaround in fortunes for Maidstone musically has been mirrored in the short career of Howl On Vinyl.

The blues rock trio, completed by Maidstone guitarist Tom Woodhams, 27, and Sittingbourne drummer Jade Wilson, 26, have only been together for about a year but are already headlining a day at the festival and won online music competition Mojo Muso, which they topped by more than 700 votes from fans.

After releasing their Oxblood Blues EP earlier this year, the band are planning on returning to the studio later in the summer and are working on new songs at the moment. They plan to record three or four and put them out as an EP before touring them across the UK.

“There is a rise in bands and musical interest at the moment,” said Kenny.

“It is on its way back and we are at the forefront of it in Maidstone. We are playing in London and getting called up by London promoters.”

The three-piece top the bill at the Style & Winch on Friday, by which time the Thursday to Monday festival, supported by the KM Group, will be in full swing.

“It is a good venue to play. It is one of our favourites because we always get a really good crowd there.

“We have a good following anyway but there always seems to be a good atmosphere there and it makes for a very good night.”

It is not just Maidstone bands either who have come out to sing the praises of the event and the town’s revived scene.

Joel Magill, of Canterbury band Syd Arthur, who are headlining at Earls on Thursday, said: “It is just what Maidstone needs.

“Over the last few years there has been a great scene building over there with an audience of people who embrace a lot of different music.

“We were involved last year and have played Pizza Express and Earls this year. This festival has definitely helped establish the scene. We have been back to do acoustic sets and we were amazed at how many people turned up.”

Following our passion

Howl On Vinyl’s Kenny and Tom used to play in another Maidstone band, Directions, but left to pursue their musical taste. Drummer Jade was formerly of London band The Kut and joined Howl On Vinyl to follow the sound she enjoys.

“We broke away and started this band because blues rock is a passion of ours. It is coming together nicely. We are gradually building up momentum.

“We are just trying to spread the word and reach as many people as possible.

“There are not that many people in Kent doing what we are doing musically which helps and the rise of bands like the Black Keys, who we have been compared to, has opened a few doors.

“Their rise to mainstream fame has been quite good timing for us.”

Maidstone Fringe Festival runs from Thursday, May 3, to Bank Holiday Monday. Top acts include Pete Molinari, pictured, Syd Arthur, Burning Shapes, Mama Roux and David Migden and the Dirty Words. On top of the musical performances there will be street entertainers and stand-up comedy. Full details atwww.maidstonefringefestival.co.uk