This year, as last, we were unfortunate to suffer from the ill effects of the poor British summer weather. As with all outdoor events the most you can do is keep your fingers crossed and be prepared for the worst whilst forging on confidently.

Although the weather was not all that we had hoped for, it did not dampen the spirits or put a stop to all the exciting music and performances we delivered.

First up for the season saw the Bowl Benefit raise around £1000 to help refurbish backstage at the Bowl. Supported by local bands Beatbullyz, Stevie Maul and non other than SBC Chief Executive Gavin Jones’s band Aeshna the concert series got off to a bang.

Next up were Albert Nyathe and Imbongi – fab African tunes and grooves from a bunch of remarkable musicians from Zimbabwe, spreading their message to all corners of the world – including Swindon.

For those who braved the weather at the beginning of July, Trans-Global Underground proved that they were still capable of sending an audience soaring and dancing to their great repertoire of dance anthem tunes. This showed that seeing musicians in the flesh, listening to the balance of live sitar, synth and dhol drum really does top the efforts of even the best DJ. A fabulous event.

Then at the end of July the sun shone and the heat wave blessed the Mela, which rounded up with Bhangra legends Achanak playing the evening Bowl concert. Spirits were high, dancing and celebration brought a fitting end to a fantastic day.

We all know that Swindon is great at dance and each year the Salsa concert at the Bowl sees hundreds of people put on their dancing shoes to dance in the fresh air in the glorious setting of the Town Gardens. Well the weather wasn’t great, and heels stuck in the mud but it did not stop Merengada – a ten-piece big band raising spirits and delivering a knockout performance.

Invincible – brought to the Bowl by Frequency in partnership with SBC filled up the venue to capacity on the bank holiday weekend at the end of August for what will surely go down in the archives as the ‘Dance event of the summer and most definitely one to be repeated next year’. Local DJ’s & club night promoters pulled together to produce a great line up topped off with a cherry that was The Freestylers.

Bringing the concert series to an end in September was Chumbawamba Acoustic, supported by Su Hart & Martin Cradick (Baka Beyond) – an evening of tranquil and beautiful music and harmonies. There was stories and sing a longs and a wonderful rapport between the band and the audience. It felt personal and a fitting end to great summer of outdoor music in Swindon’s most special venue.