“ALL workers are sisters and brothers,” declares the Bob Crow-inspired banner at the back of the stage.

It’s a totally appropriate sentiment for this outstanding May Day gig and, with Barnsley Sime spinning great tunes, what could be better? Only three superb live acts from the Ogreave Truth and Justice Campaign CD, to be honest.

First up is solo artist Matt Hill aka Quiet Loner with an assured and confident set. Opening with Days of Surveillance he plays high-quality Americana but with lyrics chronicling injustice, vested interests and the state of the nation, as on Kneel and Comply and the uplifting closer We Will Not Forget. A set which is a great, rousing tonic for struggles ahead.

Jon Langford, man of many line-ups and prolific talents — writer, painter, musician — is next up with his band Men of Gwent. It’s the drummer’s first ever gig with the Men but they gel from the off. The rhythm section’s a rock, around which the band add guitars, keyboard, accordion and a hefty dollop of humour.

There are five songs from Langford’s band Skull Orchard’s back catalogue and opening song Drone Operator certainly hits home: “Don’t call me a coward, I know what is allowed. I am like a god with a thunderbolt, sitting on a big white cloud,” he sings.

It’s a deeply felt song that deplores the merciless fetish of “O’Bomber” while asking questions about individuals who move seamlessly from gaming to real-life killing. Next is The Ballad of Solomon Jones from the Ogreave CD, Sentimental Marching Song and memories of his beloved Wales in Tubby Brother.

His mistaken identity nightmare is relived in Are You an Entertainer? and another band, The Three Johns, is revisited in the classic Death of the European.

Two great covers sandwich Deep Sea Diver — Joe Strummer’s X-Ray Style and The Go- Betweens’ Streets of Your Town — before the final glorious singalong finale with the Mekons’ stand-out classic Where Were You?

The quality of the musicianship shines in this post-country punk-rock blues that’s both timeless and unique in never ceasing to create or challenge boundaries.

Last act The Hurriers are here to formally launch their CD From Acorns Mighty Oaks and, cheered onto the stage, they launch straight into Spectemur Agendo with its lyrics of “Something is happening in Barnsley.” Never truer.

This defiantly socialist band is on fire and lead vocalist Lefty has to sing his heart out to be heard as the crowd joins in. The album is played in its entirety, with the only other number a cover of the Newtown Neurotics’ Kick Out the Tories, which the band hope won’t be relevant come Friday morning.

The songs have a dynamic intensity driven by the two excellent guitarists but it’s the solid rhythm section that holds them together. An excellent performance by a band that are already raring to go on a second album.

They conclude a night of celebration, hope and solidarity which I doubt will be surpassed this year.

Review by Bob Oram