I have been a fan of Purple Heart Parade since their Manager, 5th wheel and sound-man extraordinaire, Stephen De Sarasola, pointed me in their direction around the happening of Eindhoven Psych Lab 2014.

Stephen led me to Purple Heart Parade, who in turn led me to fellow noise-cohorts Helicon, Helicon then led me to François Sky, François Sky and Guests played at Reverence Valada in 2104, through François I made contact with Jason Fletcher, one half of the dynamic duo, along with Nick Allport, responsible for bringing us the “celebration of the best in heavy psych, stoner and space-rock”, extravaganza, that is Reverence Valada. Reverence Valada brought me and Purple Heart Parade to Portugal on this balmy, 2015 festival opening Thursday evening – everything is connected, what goes around comes around…

Reverence, (noun), a feeling or attitude of profound respect, usually reserved for the sacred or divine; devoted veneration… so says the Collins English Dictionary – if ever an event lived up to it’s billing, this is it.

Last year, by the time the inaugural Reverence Valada was announced, I had already committed my meagre gig-chest to attending Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia – I had felt inexorably compelled to see Goat, on what may have proved to be the last time they would grace the stage of a relatively small, indoor venue, certainly one within reasonable striking distance of Ireland.

I must confess though that as soon as the reports from Portugal started coming in, along with the vibrant photographs, bathed in that peculiar golden glow from the sky, I did wonder if I had made the right decision…