Guest
HAWKWIND 1984 Solstice at stonehenge 10 brainstorm The story goes that, according to British law, any festival that runs successfully for 13 consecutive years enters the statute books under an ancient charter and becomes a public festival for all time. The Summer Solstice of 1984 marked the twelfth anniversary of the Stonehenge free festival. Headlining the show were space rockers Hawkwind. As usual the festival was a peaceful affair, attracting thousands of freedom loving folk in search of loud music, good fun and mind-altering substances. Fast-forward twelve months and it was an entirely different story. The authorities launched a massive operation, moving in with force to prevent the festival from happening, resulting in the fencing off of Britain's most famous ancient monument and an end to the free festival. Fortune would have it that home-video pioneers Jetisoundz had arranged to record the events of the 21st June 1984. The film features Hawkwind's improvised performance of 'Ritual of Light and Dark' on the eve of the Solstice which continued after dawn, following the celebrated invasion of the Stones. In spite of the laid back party ambience this remains one of the bands most poignant sets in their thirty odd year career. The classic line up of Dave Brock, Nik Turner, Harvey Bainbridge, Huw Lloyd-Langton, Alan Davy and Danny Thompson makes this recording all the more important. 'The Solstice at Stonehenge' is by far the most historically significant of Hawkwind's audio/visual output and should be cherished by fans, collectors and the curious alike. Love and peace!!! Order the DVD now at
