Festival Reviews

23 August 2013

The Green Man Festival was coming off a very wet 2012 event and much to their credit, the team had made a number of significant site improvements last weekend. Some rain but mainly sunshine and a stellar line-up of musicians, meant a fabulous time was in store for all. 

Thursday 15^th August; the highlight of which was a performance by Patti Smith (the last of her current European tour). Unplugged and accompanied by Patrick Wolf and Tony Shanahan, Patti was in fine fettle for the most part. Plenty of fire still burning there!

Friday 16^th August; started with Green man competition winner’s Haiku Salut  on the Mountain Stage. A multi instrumental, instrument swapping, female three piece. An original idea and presentation and sounding really different. The closest comparison would be Iceland’s Amiina.

Peggy Sue with a new record on the way played a really nice set on the main stage followed by a rock out with Parquet Courts who are an enthusiastic bunch kids to say the least. Eagleowl played a sunny Walled Garden stage, which some great songs, a Granddaddy Cover and Mogwai style jam.

Phosphorescent, laid down the first marker, for ‘band of the weekend’, with a set of Americana that just shimmered in the afternoon sun. Mathew Houck and co were on fine form and the set could have been double the length without any complaints from the audience.

The Pastels, returning to the scene once again with their unique brand of indie were great on the main stage. Darkstar with a new album in tow played a compelling set on the Far Out stage before we all returned to the Mountain (main) stage for Midlake.

With Tim Smith having left the band, the remaining six members of the Midlake touring party continue to fly the flag. “We are still Midlake and we are still from Denton, Texas” was the theme and a cracking set they put in. Perhaps now harder edged, sound wise … the new album will be very interesting.

Friday evening wound up with a mixture of an entertaining Kings of Convenience and a blast out with F. Buttons.

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Festival Reviews

09 August 2013

As my first festival weekend, Latitude 2013 was a unique and in many ways unparalleled experience for me; providing some music I may not normally listen to, some people the likes of whom I had never before met and some food which no-one should ever be subjected to.

The adventure began with an unreasonable amount of time spent on the road, this was the result of confusion at the mysterious disappearance of all Latitude signs and all other traffic on a rural section of the A12 followed by the inevitable tailback of traffic to the entrances. Finally at around 7 o’clock on Thursday evening we arrived at Henham Park Southwold, equipped with tents, dodgy clothes and Pot Noodles.

My first surprise when inside the site itself was its sheer size, something about the festivals image as a diverse but relaxed weekend didn’t fit with the presence of 35/40, 000 other people and certainly not the huge corporate tents and stages. However I later grew to love that, I could never have seen everything and that regardless of how lost I was, there was always something new and exciting around every turn.

Once everyone was acquainted and camps were set up I went off to explore the main arena, which at this stage consisted of following lights until I found one of the few acts performing. I eventually found myself deep in the woods with a flashback through many childhood years in the form of a DJ set by Craig Charles (legendary commentator of Takeshi’s Castle and Robot Wars). The set proved very entertaining and a suitably surreal introduction to Latitude.

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Festival Reviews

24 July 2013

The Leisure Society first up on the main stage on Friday: This is never the easiest slot, but their sunny folk-pop was perfect for the el scorchio weather, and they gathered a decent crowd. 'We came here last year as punters, so we're really happy to be playing the main stage'. I think they won over a lot of new fans.

Every single teenager on the site suddenly heading en masse over to the Arena on Saturday to watch the Maccabees. How does that work? Do the Maccabees have a special summoning call that is only audible to the under 16s? I’ve never seen such a mass migration outside of a David Attenborough documentary. Truly spectacular.

Hot Chip playing before Kraftwerk on the main stage on Saturday: A perfectly judged set building from the newer 'In Our Heads' stuff through to the older, radio-friendly classics. Cue total pandemonium, massed crowd surfing and lots of people dropping the 3D glasses they were carefully hanging onto for Kraftwerk.

Stuart Maconie in the literary tent on Sunday morning: Stuart saw off the Sunday morning cobwebs with perhaps the most entertaining hour I’ve ever spent in the literary tent at Latitude (and I while away hours in there every year…). He read excerpts from several of his books, delivered any number of amusing off-the-cuff anecdotes and memorably referred to Queen as 'the Matalan Led Zep'. A very witty and likeable bloke, and well on the way to 'national treasure' status IMHO.

Richard Herring's ‘Ferrero Rocher’ gag in the comedy tent on Sunday: I won't spoil it, but it is long and involves anniversaries, pyramid building and exponential maths….

Hookworms in the I Arena on Sunday:  Amazing that a handful of blokes could make such a racket in a small clearing in a forest at 1pm in the afternoon.

The weather! An obvious point, maybe, but it makes such a difference doesn’t it? Sitting in flip flops on the grass sipping a beer with some band or other playing in the middle distance beats trudging through the Glastonbury mud in wellies any day.

Matt

Festival Reviews

23 July 2013

When my son Matt told me that he was missing Latitude this year, since none of his usual crew were up for it, I put my hand up.  Even after all the disasters such posturing has led me into in the past, I still like to shock.  But there was something pushing from the back of mind, something unique, odd, not to be missed, German....  Only later did I notice the clash with the Lords’ Test and the enormity of the folly.

Matt has fixed views on these matters, so we were packed and away to join the front of the queue.  I had a late panic as we passed the Southwold turn (“Just drop me off at The Crown, Matt”) but held my nerve.  My personal Maconie had us set up base camp under his usual tree, shaded from the blazing sun, in acres of space, with just a few neighbours in the near distance to wave to.  This is for me!

A lot of the stories proved true.  No-one snarled at me all weekend.  The only two drunks encountered propped each other up and staggered politely away.  And, joy, the shopkeepers all said “please” and “thank you”, rather than advising me that there I went.  Shops in profusion, too.  Rather surprisingly, no Waitrose, but the Mini Mart used their pricing policy and added a rather Mornington Crescent twist by enforcing queues on the way in, rather than the way out. 

Almost anything could be had, including a replacement for the tent you left at Glasto.  Those pop-up ones you know they will recycle next year were marginally less than a Rochdale semi.  You could fill the fridge, buy a new wardrobe, get a tattoo, recharge the dog, see a Gypsy fortune teller and so much more even before the shake-down at the arena gate.  And get the latest test score!

I never did discover what my bag was being searched for.  The rather matronly lady I favoured confided in me that “she could tell”, but I could have had a kilo of best Afghani I suspect, all priced up and ready to go.  Not that it would have sold: only around one’s own tent did one even discretely puff a little local-grown ganjha.  Nobody inhaled.

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Festival Reviews

16 July 2013

Arriving at what was now a free festival (if you already had a ticket) in Hyde Park on a glorious summer afternoon, the place looked rather deserted. It's wasn't, I was just comparing it to the sold out Stones show the previous weekend.

Still, no 30 minute queues for a beer or food and no gold or silver circles, so it was pretty close to the main stage for Gabrielle Aplin and her set, which I think is still a work in progress. The Bandstand was an easy next call for the fabulous Thea Gilmour. Polar opposites to Ms. Aplin, after a few more years’, albums and, experience in the 'industry'. Just back with a new and very promising album.

A wander around the site. One thing that stood out was a caged off merchandise stall with piles and piles of Rolling Stones tee shirts for the next day. A few bob’s worth there! We also found a decent pie stall as well.

Elvis Costello hits the main stage with hit after hit after, hit. On fine form and in good voice. The only drawback was that a lot of the songs had slightly different arrangements to the originals, which made singing-a-long, a challenge at times.

What then remained as a star of the future and a star of the past, both who found their niche on this hot summer's evening; Lucy Rose ex Bombay Cyclist member is now out on her own. Voice of an Angel, a band that is tight and funky and songs without doubt, from the indie world yet, that fit the Band’s groove perfectly. There were even a couple of Physch-out instrumental moments! With so many singer-songwriters around, believe me, Lucy Rose is something special.

Back to the main stage for tonight’s headliner. Absent friends says Ray Davis early on “We hope bunter gets better soon” Ray and band then proceed to  give us a Kinks greatest hit’s set, which in the middle of Hyde Park, in the centre of London, is just perfect for the evening.

The outstanding moment was ‘Waterloo Sunset’ mid set, which the crowd sang with him, word for word in hushed tones before belting out the chorus. Singing about a place just a mile or two down the road was just right.

A London man, singing songs about London town, disaffected teenagers and people just trying to make a way through life. They could have been written yesterday.

Thanks to the ‘powers that be’, for keeping this particular show on the road after Elton John's Illness, it really was still a special night.

“Get better soon bunter”!

Pete

Photos

Festival Reviews

10 July 2013

So...to truly describe this new festival in Toronto, one must understand the "backstory" and how the success of this new music festival could be instrumental in bringing more events like this to the area. 

Toronto has had music festivals before, but very limited and very restricted in their size, location, and even how alcohol is served.  These local legislations and restrictions have pretty much meant that it was near impossible for these events to be successful.  They have forced the events to locations outside of the city centre, with the logistics of getting to the festival, and getting home...near impossible.  They have forced the festivals to serve alcohol in certain fenced off areas, making it near impossible to enjoy a drink and see the stage to watch a band at the same time. Off duty police were the only security allowed to work these events and that was far too expensive (compared to normal event security)..and some of these events were held on Toronto Island, where insurance costs due to having a festival surrounded by Lake Ontario made it a money losing event before it even began.

But recently, there has been a shift in local politics and attitudes.  There is a concerted effort to promote Toronto as one of North America's greatest music cities.  Already considered in the top three by the music industry, a successful music festival could do wonders to promote this.  Local promoters (Collective Concerts) have led the way in bringing fantastic bands to the city, and they have enjoyed festivals such as SXSW, NXNE, Canadian Music Week. and wanted to create one of their own, one that takes advantage of the new attitudes and changes in local policy. that would allow a new festival to be located in downtown Toronto and offer something we festival lovers have not been able to enjoy.

TURF was created...its site in the downtown core of Toronto is perfect, near many transit options (and walkable from my house!) using a government run historical site Old Fort York. the site of the battle of York from the war of 1812!  (Is it any wonder they picked this site considering the importance of the British to defending the site and Britain's history with very successful music festivals?) and with the change in provincial legislation that allows alcohol to be served with no restrictions on where you could drink it. meant you could grab a drink and watch a band and actually see and hear them. a novel concept for us Canadians.

A lot of planning later. and the event was upon us.

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Festival Reviews

05 July 2013

Thursday

It was so good to be back at Glastonbury especially after last year’s break.

There is nothing happening on the main stages on the Thursday so it is a time to chill and wander round the vast site and marvel at all the imagination and ingenuity of thousands of people who created this unique wonder that is Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts.

We did catch some music however, Anthea Neads and Andy Prince (who used to be in Sham 69) with some retro pop rock. Rodney Branigan from Texas with some amazing guitar work. How the hell does he play two guitars at the same time like that?  The Worry Dolls two very talented girls on acoustic guitars and banjo reminding us of The Smoke Fairies.

After a sunny day, the evening brought rain which in turn brought some of that special ‘Glasto mud’ (on Friday the sun came out again and Saturday was a beautiful sunny day).  We headed off to the Rabbit Hole and squeezed into Dermot O’Leary’s DJ set for some dancing. Afterwards we caught the Pictish Trail (Jonny Flynn) at the Crows Nest Stage for an excellent acoustic set.

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Festival Reviews

01 June 2013

It’s easy one Saturday afternoon in Cambridge each year, to step out of the normal life and step onto planet Strawberry Fair.

The Strawberry fair is in its 39th edition this year and remains a free event on Jesus Green in Cambridge. The event is put on by a group of volunteers working tirelessly for twelve months.  Because it is free, the event attracts people of all ages, all walks of life and for all different reasons.

The music stages contain just about every style you can think of, Folk, Ska, Jazz, Reggae, singer – songwriters and Rock. Circus, film, poetry and very decent beer courtesy of The Portland Arms (in the acoustic tent) are among the other attractions.

As we wandered around we came across Dave Crowharr with this Tom Waits like folk, a lively Eureka Stockade some Ska warriors Killimonjambo and loads more.

So a great afternoon, I left the evening to the kids!  The Strawberry Fair is 40 next year if you want to come to the party.  

Eureka Stockade

Festival Reviews

21 May 2013

Europe’s Leading Festival for New Music – works best if you can do lots of homework before on bands never heard of before, which if we are honest is most of them. Held in the perfect city for an urban festival. Stayed with my lovely cousins and without trying too hard I went to 16 venues and saw 39 bands (that I can recall…). Having a bike helped… So, here’s my diary of TGE Highlights:

Thursday

Sounds Australia showcase in the Haunt, good unpretentious rock from the Upskirts, and more trendy 80s-style girl with synth (and Toto sample used well) Dune. Hjaltalin, cool slow powerful music from Iceland, featuring violin, keyboards, and the singing duo of Hogni and Sigridur, long haired male and great Adele-like female. And its sunny!

Girls Names, of Belfast, great hooks but a bit too laid back on record for me, Really smashed it live! Cure/New Order style, plus feedback. Wolf Alice very good too, arresting vocalist. Huge Qs for Tom Odell, and indeed any well known/hyped bands, one of the drawbacks of this otherwise great friendly festival (the other is virtually no info on the many cancelations and their replacements). However did make it into the Warren, one of the best venues with beer garden and lots of space once in.

A great line-up – Jeremy Loops, a SA singer/guitarist who uses…guess what…loops, to great effect with some really catchy sing-along tunes, all done with bags of charisma; Deap Valley, a real highlight, a female White Stripes from California, initially put off a bit by the cheap leather undies and hairspray, but they really rock! Came on to the sound of Led Zep; looks like Barbarella on guitar and the young Liz Taylor on drums, great blues voices and crunching riffs. Guitarist turned up in the moshpit for Parquet Courts too, much respect!

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