By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

WHEN?: Friday 26 to Sunday 28 August 2022

This year, in stark contrast to other years, the Humdrums are not chasing the main acts at this year’s south coast seaside festival. I’m sure Stereophonics, Paolo Nutini and Sam Fender will do a great job bringing the crowds in, but this time, it’s the smaller acts lower down on the bill, retro acts and the comedy which we are really looking forward to. 

• Read on for reasons including Self Esteem, James and Suede

Friday sees James and Self Esteem. James’s huge back catalogue of hits will grab the crowd no doubt. Ms Humdrum is particularly looking forward to Born of Frustration and “sitting down” on actual grass rather than a sticky dancefloor at the appropriate time. Self Esteem’s second album, Prioritise Pleasure, released last year, is a favourite in the Humdrum household. Rebecca’s interview with RadMac on 6Music earlier this year encouraged Ms Humdrum to launch her card business and is therefore hugely poignant. 

Saturday – it goes without saying that Sugababes, in the style of All Saints a few years ago, will be amazing and they are definitely on our list to kick off Saturday afternoon. Sports Team will be worth a look and we are definitely going full mosh pit for Kula Shaker! How will the Humdrums be able to sing their hit Tattva without remembering and singing instead the original version of this song, Ta La by The Shire Horses? 

Sunday sees the gorgeous Sophie Ellis Bextor (Ms Humdrum’s unguilty pleasure) followed by Metronomy, which both of us can’t wait for. Suede tops our bill. Ms Humdrum hasn’t seen them since they played Exeter in 1995 and wonders if Brett still wraps the microphone lead around himself. 

Ringing the changes this year is the addition of huge comedy names playing: Milton Jones on Saturday, and Katherine Ryan and Russell Kane on Sunday. Now the only fly in this ointment will be their set times…

Let the good Victorious times roll… the Humdrums are ready.

• Read more from Carron at her blog A Humdrum Mum
• Main picture courtesy via Facebook Tickets Have you heard any of these songs or seen any of these shows? Let us know what you thought in the comments below
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