True to the billing, Seth kicked of proceedings with a solo performance on the violin. With its immediately recognisable introduction, 'Lady Of The Sea' is a wonder to see performed live. The speed with which Lakeman played the opening semiquavers was truly awe-inspiring and ensured that all eyes were firmly fixed centre stage. And it left no-one in any doubt that this would be a performance to remember.
The only new track in the set list, 'Hearts And Minds' gave Seth an opportunity to divulge some much anticipated news about his next album, which he hopes to have ready by the end of the year. Unmistakenly a Lakeman composition, the fiddle-led track with its rousing chorus has become a firm favourite amongst Seth's loyal followers. But it was foot-stomping rhythms that seemed to win over those who may not have been so au fait with his latest collection of tracks.
Drummer for the evening, Johnny, picked up the pace as the three launched into another interpretation of a traditional Cornish tale, with 'The Hurlers'. Adding an extra flourish to the tribal-style drum beat, it was obvious that the band were holding nothing back. Raising the bar even further, Seth encouraged the amassed crowd to sing along to the tale of the Hurler stones.
But 'The Hurlers' wasn't the only track to be made over for the evening. Despite a misplaced banjo causing a small hiccup in proceedings, 'Poor Man's Heaven' seamlessly transformed into 'Poor Man's Devon' in honour of the festival's location. And the crowd responded in kind with few left stationary by the time Seth swapped his tenor guitar for the fiddle.
Nonetheless, it was their preferred set-closer 'Race To Be King' which really brought the tent down. A favourite with both the band and the audience, it left those present in no doubt that dancing was to be the order of the weekend, not just the first night. But with the acoustic tent filled to bursting, there was no room for the spontaneous hoe-down which the track so desperately calls for. Even without the multi-talented Ben Nicholls on the Jew's harp, its catchy fiddle rhythm was more than enough to evoke the atmosphere of a country barn-dance.
From the outset it was clear that the band were in high spirits as they took to the small stage on Dartmoor. Musically sparring with each other, they seemed to feed off the crowd's enthusiasm, culminating in Sean's daring backwards leap from the cajon mid-set. A fantastic start to a magical weekend.
Rating: 5/5