A late afternoon drive down to Camber Sands and an arrival in the dark, but having missed the rush, we had a speedy check-in.

 

By 7.30pm we were ready for Stage 2 and the impressive Buke & Gase. A duo playing gritty guitar cords with vocals to match. LULUC followed in a more gentle style after which we sped upstairs for the end of the Kronos Quartet set, which really whetted our appetite for a full set on Saturday.

 

Bear in Heaven played a funky set. Their bassist (and his headgear – a raised black beanie) was a regular figure at shows for the rest of the weekend. Indeed, most bands seemed encamped for the weekend which was great.

 

Tim Hecker played in complete darkness at sufficient volume to make the whole experience uncomfortable, so after some Air hockey there was a much brighter Boris who ‘Rocked the Joint’ as they say.

 

Final band of the day was Kurt Vile & the Violators.  It’s always interesting to see which Kurt turns up. Tonight he was in electric guitar mode and hit the stage pretty much on time. A rocking set for sixty minutes or so, although there was 90 minutes on the schedule.

 

 

 

 

A walk along the expansive Camber Sands beach on a bright Saturday morning was a treat, after which it was lunch and back to stage one for an engrossing set from the Kronos Quartet, who I think for me were the find of the weekend.

 

Lower Dens were on fine form next and one of the most dynamic bands of the day. They were  also another band who like playing in the dark.

 

This is Kit, with a sizeable band and enough guitars to open a music shop, presented a lovely fun-filled show. Lots of smiles as well. The band were also joined by Aaron Dessner - the first of many appearances he put in with other bands over the weekend.

 

Kathleen Edwards was another star of the weekend with a cracking set. This was her last show after a year-long tour of her album ‘Voyager’. Road-weary was certainly the theme but that meant lots of great stores and a really fiery set. Michael Rother’s set also had a real buzz about it apparently, but we missed that one for Kathleen.

 

Next up was Sharon van Etten. Creator of one on the albums of the year, Sharon now tours with a full band and again must have been on the road for the best part of a year with her record ‘Tramp’.

 

Having seen the show a few times already this year, there were not any surprises, indeed I do find myself yearning for a solo, acoustic guitar version of the show. With the volume cranked up, I did think the subtlety of some of the songs was lost.

 

The Antlers are another band for me that really either hit the spot (they usually do) or just ‘put in a shift’. Tonight was a bit of both but only because they hit equipment difficulties mid-way though the set. Commendably, they fought back to create the dizzy heights they are capable of reaching.

 

Wild Beasts were tonight’s headliners playing ‘Smother’, and very impressive they were. After polishing off the album the band just carried on playing. Again at the end of a two year world tour, they really seemed to be enjoying themselves, much to our benefit!

 

Sunday was another stroll along the beach (this was becoming a habit) before we entered a team into the ATP Quiz. 6th out of 20 and with the 2nd Best drawing artist of the weekend award (Ken), it was a great effort!

 

Also putting in a great effort was Shara Worden and My Brightest Diamond. Artistic and extravagant. Grungy guitar and classical vocalist. A very talented outfit.

 

Richard Reed Parry (Arcade Fire) presented Music for Heart and Breath a chamber music set.

This involved all the musicians wearing Stethoscopes so that they could hear their own heartbeat and that was the speed or timing that they played their instruments to.

 

A very respectful audience stood in silence for the set which highlighted the musically ability of those of stage. The overall effect was just uncertainty about what we were actually watching.

 

All this left us with the need for rock n’ roll and that thirst was suitably quenched by the dynamic duo that is Wye Oak. Their first show for a few months really saw them in the groove from the off. New songs surfaced alongside more familiar material. Welcome back!

 

Owen Pallet is a very accomplished musician and with a fine band to play alongside him he delivered a true quality set. New album is due next year, as is a new record from Local Natives who preceded the National with an energetic set.

 

11.15pm Sunday and the whole festival congregates at Stage One for the weekend’s Curators, The National. It’s been a while since the band played live and expectations were high. Starting out with a new song which set the scene, the crowd exploded for ‘Mistaken for Strangers’ - you could feel the floor moving under your feet as the party started. Bloodbuzz Ohio and the floor was bouncing!

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Richard Reed Parry played along with the band for much of the set and his guitar added great effect. Owen Pallet joined in with violin throughout as well. Pretty much the set that was used on the last tour and a sprinkling of new songs (which sounded excellent).  Afraid of Everyone, Sorrow, Slow Show, Squalor Victoria and Fake Empire all made an appearance.

 

The band seemed particularly humbled that all the other artists had come to play at their festival. About Today, Mr. November, Terrible Love and the un-amplified Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks rounded off the evening.

 

So, overall a brilliant weekend. Great bands, great vibe and a highly-recommended event for anyone to attend next year. TV on the Radio weekend 10-12 May 2013 and Deerhunter weekend 21-23 June.

Pete

 

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