Wow, just wow. How I love living in Hastings. There is always so much to see and do, especially the live music and festivals.

Last weekend Hastings saw our very own Fat Tuesday celebrations. Fat Tuesday, being the English translation of Mardi Gras, has now been celebrated in Hastings for nine years. What a carnival atmosphere we’ve had, with the launch party on Friday 9th, followed by the fantastic Unplugged Saturday on the 10th.

A wide range of acts playing 15 minute sets at a variety of pubs in Hastings Old Town. We joined the party  early afternoon, listening to local band Blakeley & Son playing folk music with an Irish twist. A couple of G&T’s and we were getting into the party spirit. The crowds were building, the chatter rising and laughter growing.

Moving on and the G&T’s still flowing, we were entertained by 40 Shillings on the Drum, who were ending their first ever UK tour at Fat Tuesday Hastings. The “drum” for the sake of transport around the various venues was a wooden crate, but played with great skill.

They were quickly followed by Mr Wilsons second liners. What a unique entertaining group. Their format is based on the New Orleans style parades, where a brass band follows the main parade. People following the band just to enjoy the music are called “the second line”. They certainly know how to get the party going and had us up dancing, clapping and enjoying the upbeat music. They moved amongst the crowd, manoeuvring their instruments 🎺 with great skill to avoid collisions. Interacting, they swiftly gathered a following and people started to move around with them from pub to pub.

The next two groups, although good, by contrast, seemed a little sedate, so we moved on to find something a bit livelier. Standing shoulder to shoulder, or in my vertically challenged case, shoulder to armpit, we squeezed into one of the smaller venues to listen to Dr Savage and his FT 2nd line band. Dr Savage standing on a chair so he could be seen by all. Brilliant had the crowd dancing, singing, waving their arms and slopping their beer over each other!

Outside the clouds were forming, the rain falling and the temperature dropping to icy, but the warmth of the atmosphere, and possibly the alcohol, persuaded us to move on to the next venue to catch up with Mr Wilson’s second liners. The venue was again full to the rafters, and we somehow got mingled in with the band as they played, squeezed against the wall trying to avoid their elbows 🤣. Some of the band had to climb onto the tables to give themselves room to play their instruments.

What a wonderful, music and fun filled day. Exhausted we headed home for a cuppa and put our feet up.

Some fellow revellers however continued to the Masquerade Ball at the magnificent St Mary’s in the Castle.

The carnival continued on the Sunday with the Umbrella Parade. The sun was shining down on the Old Town and the townsfolk were out in force, parading with an explosion of colour, and music. The parade included more second line brass bands providing a wonderful atmosphere for all the family. High above the procession our historic castle, and funicular railway, as always standing proud and watching over the proceedings.

There was a chance to meet the musicians, chilling in the local tavernas, on Monday. After two days of music filled fun, all taking a rest before the grand finale, Fat Tuesday itself, with more bands playing 20 minutes sets in venues in both the Old Town and Hastings Town Centre, bringing the whole town to life, and culminating in the after show party till the early hours.

Once again all I can say is Wow, just wow. Fantastic job Fat Tuesday Hastings planners.

If you didn’t get to experience it this year make sure you put it in your calendar planner for 2019. 📆 1-5 March.