Despite a 53-minute wait at the bar, Billy Ocean's headline set on the first night of the Salt and Tar festival in Bootle lifted spirits and made the queue a distant memory. The festival, held for the first time in the outdoor area behind the Lock & Quay pub, saw teething issues with long queues for drinks.
Queue frustrations and positive spirits
Ryan Paton, attending the August 12 event, queued 53 minutes to buy cans of Kronenbourg and Guinness for himself and his partner. Sefton Council acknowledged the extended wait times, saying in a statement: "This is the first time we have held the Salt & Tar weekender at Lock & Quay and while we are delighted at how well the first night went, we appreciate there can be operational issues which present challenges."
The council added: "We are aware of comments about extended wait times due to popular demand and are working hard to mitigate this as the weekend progresses. We look forward to welcoming huge crowds once again this evening for The Waterboys." Despite the delay, the crowd remained in positive spirits as support act Helena May warmed up the audience.
Billy Ocean's timeless hits
Billy Ocean, 76, dressed in a green suit, opened with his 2020 song "One World" to a huge ovation. He quickly launched into classics like "Love Really Hurts Without You," "Red Light Spells Danger," and "Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car," showcasing his defining role in disco and contemporary R&B.
Addressing the Merseyside crowd, Ocean said: "We've been to the Bahamas, we've been to St Lucia, we've been to Slovakia. Some of them I can't remember. But I know where I am tonight. I'm in Liverpool. Thanks for having us back." He also paid tribute to the Beatles, calling Liverpool "the land of the Beatles. The best," and referenced being made a LIPA Companion by Sir Paul McCartney in 2011.
A memorable night and festival continues
Ocean treated the sold-out crowd to a 12-song set, including a rendition of Bob Marley's "No Woman, No Cry," which had the audience singing along. The festival continues tonight with The Waterboys, running until August 17, with The Saw Doctors headlining tomorrow and Nile Rodgers and Chic closing with two shows.
