Ashtar

Malvern Priory Park

27 May 2005

Floating Lotus

Ashtar headlined the first ever rock gig in Malvern's Priory Park bandstand. Urantia (mother earth) blessed them with the hottest May day since 1953 so a fabulous crowd assembled to enjoy their music.

Fernanda singing and on Bodhran.

Mainman Luiz plays a recorder passage.

Oswaldo's violin is now a fundamental part of the Ashtar sound.

Eduardo plays a delicate guitar passage.

Rob has done a great job taking charge of the keys for this tour.

Fabio is really in the flow here...

... as is Daniel. Ashtar's songs are always full of feeling.

As well as their own unique blend of progressive rock and celtic sounds, Ashtar now include both traditional reels and a range of other covers in their live sets.

Luiz roars along during one of the heavier interludes. Who needs sound effects?

Fernanda's serene vocals during the softer passages complement the louder parts perfectly.

Rob shows his versatility.

Oswaldo can play serene moods too, or drive up the tempo when playing reels.

Fabio joins the chorus too.

Fernanda plays acoustic guitar on Ashtar's classic song Urantia.

Fernanda playing a 12-string acoustic guitar

Here's Eduardo set against one of the lovely, vivid back-drapes you regularly see at gigs in Malvern. These really add to the mood and are a great addition that other venues should consider adopting.

Marvellous!

Thanks again to Alan Turnbull and all of Floating Lotus for organising this wonderful night, as well as Malvern Theatres for helping with equipment, the Malvern Gazette for the good publicity, and the local Council and Police for giving it their blessing.