Gods Festival 2003

Line Up: Jeff Scott Soto - Vocals , Marcel Jacob - Bass , Howie Simon and Freddie Akesson - Guitars, Jamie Borger - Drums

Headliners Talisman had the unenviable duty of coming on stage at midnight or a bit after – I forget the time now!

But fuck me if they didn't perform like the rock Gods they are and yes, they were the band of the weekend.

Jeff Scott Soto already impressed as frontman of the day last year. Now back with Marcel Jacob and Talisman +1 in tow, he knew what was expected and let it rip from the opening bar of the set.

Soto has been hailed as one of the great vocalists and frontmen of our era and I can only jump in and support that and add further praise. He will be a star. He already IS a star!

It must be said that Talisman are tighter than a goldfish's ass – they are seriously good on stage together and seriously out played every other band on the bill. With all respect to those other bands – it's just a fact. They have it nailed and with the +1 of Howie Simon, the guys really filled out their sound.

Crowd favourites like I'll Be Waiting, Color My XTC and Mysterious were joined by album tracks from the new Cats & Dogs album, which sounded as good as the classics during tonight's performance.

Soto was a mad man, dominating the stage and really geeing up the crowd. But guitarist Frederik and Howie sparred with each other all night and Marcel Jacob proved he is one of the best bass players in the world with his performance. The crowd were all left wanting more and totally flattened by what they were witness to.

And funnily enough, I was standing with Ken Tamplin and the guys of Talon, who among others, stood in amazement at the awesome energy of the band, knowing what was required if they were to compete with Talisman on any future bills.