Saw Mik Artistic on thursday, he's always good entertainment. Baggy Mondays tent was ridiculous, they had no security when it started so everybody just pushed their way in, it was a massive cock fest and you couldn't get out if you wanted to. As much as I love those old tunes I don't really need to fight for an hour and a half to hear songs by Northside & Black Grape.
Started Friday off by meeting up with Tom & watching the mighty Beady Eye. They did a greatest hits set, was about as good as you could hope for an 11am start, Bell was running the show. Saw The Hives which were great high energy fun. I always see them as a bit of a novelty act but they really smashed their set. Went over the to West Holts for Goat, it was the bollocks though it felt wrong seeing them in daylight, I wish I'd caught their late night show as with the lights & whatnot I think they'd of been even better, great to finally see them though. Next up were The Black Angels in the Williams Green tent which is my new favourite part of glasto. They were decent, I only really care for the first album stuff so it was a mixed bag for me. Went down to the Pyramid as everyone I was with wanted to see the Vaccines, I do quite like them but 5 songs in it sounded flat as fuck and I was surrounded by squares so I "did a Sam" & just fucked everyone off and went to the park to see Dinosaur .Jr who were fucking superb. It was loud as fuck and towards the end the crowd were going mental which I didn't expect from one of their gigs. I'd seen them before stood at the back of Ally Pally but this was a whole new experience. Can see myself really digging into their back catalogue after that now. Met up with everyone again for Seasick Steve, he had John Paul Jones in his band & now has the tunes/back-up needed to pull off larger crowds, I enjoyed it. Was hammered after this, I couldn't be arsed with going to the Pyramid again for Arctic Monkeys & as much as I'd like to see Portishead live it would've been a real mood killer so we ended up seeing Nile Rodgers & Chic which was without a doubt the highlight of the festival. Just one big party from start to finish, hit after hit, the whole crowd into it, just about as much fun as you could have at a gig. Finished the night of in some tent listening to old school garage music then met Seasick Steve on the way for a piss & finished the night off at the wine-bar with a string of Oasis & Stones tunes, a fucking fantastic first day.
Saturday started in Williams Green for THE OTHERS, I'm not kidding, they were actually fucking good. I turned up just to hear William & Lacky but the new material all sounded really promising & I thought they were excellent. Went over to the park to see Ed Harcourt as the bird loves him. I think I owe Sam an apology, I've started to realise the power of the park. There crowd was small, loads of space, the sun was shining up and over, it was beautiful. As the years go on I'm enjoying Ed Harcourt's music more & more too, lovely set. I made my 2nd trip to the Pyramid stage to catch Elvis Costello who I've recently been getting into, got a spot near the front to the left, once again it was flat as fuck. By this point I'd had enough, did another Sam and fucked off quickly to the park to see Rodriquez, I can't say the performance was anything special but it was just lovely to see the man in the flesh. He had to be helped on stage by his wife & daughter & when he finally spoke I felt a bit emotional. His band drowned his guitar playing out probably due to it being out of time, he still had the voice though & despite it not being a great performance it felt kind of special. Was debating whether to go Public Enemy over the Stones all day, in the end I just couldn't not see the Stones. By the time they came on we were all shitfaced, we were quite far back but directly under a speaker so the sound was loud, I couldn't tell you if they were any good, it could of been a CD playing for all we knew but they got the hits out & a great time was had. In the Stones defence, I watched back the TV coverage and they started the coverage from an odd part in the set when they dropped 3 or 4 of the lesser hits that outstay their welcome, for the most part the set was pretty much what you'd want. Fucking Mick Taylor too!
Sunday we took it easy at the start of the day. Caught I Am Kloot, the sun was out and it was lovely. Wish they'd play more early stuff but I still really enjoy their past two records so it wasn't a big deal. Had nothing planned after so ended up sitting in the sun and watching Kenny Rogers, it was pure cheese but we had a good time for what it was worth. Next saw Public Service Broadcasting who were fucking excellent in the Williams Green tent. I'd recommend people checking them out, I was surprised at just how well it worked live as I imagined them as a bedroom project that wouldn't translate that well as a live show but they smashed it. Was caught in a dilemma the entire weekend about what to do next, Nick Cave VS Smashing Pumpkins VS Evan Dando. I'd heard Barny & Jamie say how Cave was disappointing earlier in the year & being the Pyramid stage I decided against it (though the TV footage I saw looked superb). Smashing Pumpkins I'd want to hear 7 songs and not give a shit about the rest so I ended up going Evan Dando & I'm so glad I went. Rushed there thinking it may be hard to get into the Avalon tent as its only small, 5 minutes before he was due on and it was almost empty. He came on & does what he does best, just rolled out tune after tune after tune. Did a few covers & stuff but also provided all the classics. I know he's only really ever come up with about 25 great tunes but they are all pretty much my favourite songs of all time. He got a half decent crowd in the end, maybe 400 people but it still felt intimate for a festival. Then towards the end of the set he brings out FUCKING BONEHEAD, I think I lost my voice shouting They did Ray & Into Your Arms, it was magical. Annoyingly there wasn't a great deal on Sunday headline spots, Fri/Sat had plenty of alternatives but the only one which appealed was bobby Womack. It was literally a set of two halves. The first he did with Damon Albarn where they performed his latest record which I do quite like but it failed to grab the large crowd. Then after about 8 songs he went off and they set up an entire new band for 15 minutes, it really dragged. He came back all in red with a new band and did his more classic soul material & smashed it. He still has a solid voice & one of the backup singers he had with him had possibly the best voice I've ever heard live, she was sensational. Overall a good set even if it was patchy. He's on at Latitude, I'll definitely turn up after he's finished his set with Albarn.
Overall a great weekend, it makes me laugh coming up reading peoples updates on facebook who wasn't there saying its shit 'a rock festival with Dizzee Rascal', of course the BBC TV coverage is shit. Next time I go I might completely avoid the pyramid stage. somehow I never went to the John Peel once this year, usually it's where I spend most my time though it seems the Peel, Williams Green & The Park have the same kind of acts on these days & are even better stages. Luckily there was only mud Thursday night & Friday, it all dried up and you could sit down and everything which was lovely. Have never smashed Glastonbury like I did this time, just hit it hard all 5 nights, I got home and half hour later my body just fucking gave up. I've never ached so much in my life, it's fucking Wednesday and I'm still a wreck. Had the shivers, a fever, entire body feels like its been beaten, it's the worst I've ever felt.
I've never ached so much in my life, it's fucking Wednesday and I'm still a wreck. Had the shivers, a fever, entire body feels like its been beaten, it's the worst I've ever felt.
Probably something to do with you now being in your 30's.
Good stuff about Nile Rodgers and Chic, they play Wickerman in three weeks, cannie wait.
Nice! Get smashed and have a party, It cannot fail. I think as the years go on I'm getting a bit better at decision making at festivals. I'd usually always go to see whatever band I like most but as time goes on you realise it is more about seeing stuff you wouldn't usually see or choosing the bands to suit whatever condition you are in at the time.
Oh yeh I met Liams_Girl down the front at BDI, I said "look I'm with 2pactom" & she said 'WHO?', the fucking nerve!
Has Tom been on here yet? An interesting fact, me & Tom both had our Birthdays at Glastonbury this year.
I've never ached so much in my life, it's fucking Wednesday and I'm still a wreck. Had the shivers, a fever, entire body feels like its been beaten, it's the worst I've ever felt.
Probably something to do with you now being in your 30's.
This is ridiculous, It took me 5 attempts to lift myself out of the bath earlier
I was stood about five rows back from the Stones and they were fucking immense. There seems to be a massive difference between the views of people there and those watching it on TV - my mates who weren't nearly as bothered about the Stones as I am absolutely loved it, as did every randomer I spoke to on site about it, as do almost everyone on efestivals who went.
Ultimately though with the Stones it doesn't really matter as much as with other bands if Jagger's voice isn't quite what it was (though both in person and after watching the highlights it sounds pretty solid), or if things aren't quite technically what they could be (ahem Keith). A lot of it is about the atmosphere they create, their attitude on stage - one thing that I was worried might happen was that they'd treat it as just another gig, but it was clear from the off that this wasn't the case. They reworked Factory Girl into "Glastonbury Girl" which was a nice touch, again would have meant fuck all to those watching on TV (though it didnt get shown) but was good for the people who were there.
And, though this is largely Jagger's own fault, how can you possibly judge a set on TV when it misses out Jumpin Jack Flash, IORR, Paint it Black, Gimme Shelter, Wild Horses, You Can't Always Get what you want and Satisfaction??
Rolling Stones were great and definitely the most memorable gig of the weekend, but Nick Cave was the best thing I saw all weekend. His performance of Stagger Lee was one of the most intense things I've ever seen live, made all the better for being stood around hordes of Mumford fans wondering what the fuck was going on. Arctic Monkeys were definitely better than 2007, other highlights for me were Goat who were fantastic, First Aid Kit and Alt-J, though I know they don't get much love on here!
Overall was an ace Glastonbury, probably made all the better for there being slightly fewer bands I wanted to see, since the sun was shining it made chilling out and enjoying the place far easier. Sunday afternoon for example me and my mate went to the Latino tent, grabbed a couple of mojitos each then went to West Holts to watch Ondatropica (a Colombian act) and it was one of the best bits of the weekend.
The late night areas were great again, the variety of music is one thing during the day but the biggest difference between Glastonbury and other festivals is what happens when the bands finish. So much choice, you can dance away to indie tunes, chill out in some pub areas, or go to Shangri La and experience something completely different entirely. We managed to find the Underground Piano Bar which was really fucking cool inside too, really doesn't feel like you're at a festival when you're in there, more in some small theatre in Dublin or something with all the Irish there. I genuinely believe when it's on it's the best fucking place in the world for those few days. And when I was physically able to eat I had some incredible food as well.
Definitely worth making the 20,000 mile round trip, we all watched the XX to finish off the festival and right after they finished we spotted Eavis sat in a tractor so went over and said our thanks, even he seemed shocked I'd travelled that far...
I was stood about five rows back from the Stones and they were fucking immense. There seems to be a massive difference between the views of people there and those watching it on TV - my mates who weren't nearly as bothered about the Stones as I am absolutely loved it, as did every randomer I spoke to on site about it, as do almost everyone on efestivals who went.
Ultimately though with the Stones it doesn't really matter as much as with other bands if Jagger's voice isn't quite what it was (though both in person and after watching the highlights it sounds pretty solid), or if things aren't quite technically what they could be (ahem Keith). A lot of it is about the atmosphere they create, their attitude on stage - one thing that I was worried might happen was that they'd treat it as just another gig, but it was clear from the off that this wasn't the case. They reworked Factory Girl into "Glastonbury Girl" which was a nice touch, again would have meant fuck all to those watching on TV (though it didnt get shown) but was good for the people who were there.
And, though this is largely Jagger's own fault, how can you possibly judge a set on TV when it misses out Jumpin Jack Flash, IORR, Paint it Black, Gimme Shelter, Wild Horses, You Can't Always Get what you want and Satisfaction??
Rolling Stones were great and definitely the most memorable gig of the weekend, but Nick Cave was the best thing I saw all weekend. His performance of Stagger Lee was one of the most intense things I've ever seen live, made all the better for being stood around hordes of Mumford fans wondering what the fuck was going on. Arctic Monkeys were definitely better than 2007, other highlights for me were Goat who were fantastic, First Aid Kit and Alt-J, though I know they don't get much love on here!
Overall was an ace Glastonbury, probably made all the better for there being slightly fewer bands I wanted to see, since the sun was shining it made chilling out and enjoying the place far easier. Sunday afternoon for example me and my mate went to the Latino tent, grabbed a couple of mojitos each then went to West Holts to watch Ondatropica (a Colombian act) and it was one of the best bits of the weekend.
The late night areas were great again, the variety of music is one thing during the day but the biggest difference between Glastonbury and other festivals is what happens when the bands finish. So much choice, you can dance away to indie tunes, chill out in some pub areas, or go to Shangri La and experience something completely different entirely. We managed to find the Underground Piano Bar which was really fucking cool inside too, really doesn't feel like you're at a festival when you're in there, more in some small theatre in Dublin or something with all the Irish there. I genuinely believe when it's on it's the best fucking place in the world for those few days. And when I was physically able to eat I had some incredible food as well.
Definitely worth making the 20,000 mile round trip, we all watched the XX to finish off the festival and right after they finished we spotted Eavis sat in a tractor so went over and said our thanks, even he seemed shocked I'd travelled that far...
Good stuff about Nile Rodgers and Chic, they play Wickerman in three weeks, cannie wait.
Nice! Get smashed and have a party, It cannot fail. I think as the years go on I'm getting a bit better at decision making at festivals. I'd usually always go to see whatever band I like most but as time goes on you realise it is more about seeing stuff you wouldn't usually see or choosing the bands to suit whatever condition you are in at the time.
Oh yeh I met Liams_Girl down the front at BDI, I said "look I'm with 2pactom" & she said 'WHO?', the fucking nerve!
Has Tom been on here yet? An interesting fact, me & Tom both had our Birthdays at Glastonbury this year.
I'd always wondered what it would be like to punch someone to Oasis and when she said that I did consider putting my hand through her face. Guess I I'll never know now.
Was mega having a few drinks with Karl & Co and Beady Eye and the Hives were the best start to a Glastonbury I've had. Great festival overall.
Efestivals reporting Elbow will be headlining Glasto next year. I'm not going anyway as I'll be at the World Cup but I think it's probably a fair choice. Even if I was there it's likely I'd give them a miss, but objectively it's hard to argue with a band who have had five albums out, most of them commercially and/or critically big, who have played the Olympics and who have a close relationship with the festival.
I guess on the other hand, they're one of those bands who seem to be no one's "favourite band" but who a lot of people seem to like, and they might not have quite enough really big well known songs. But there's four or five of those, and if their next album has a couple of big singles that should set them up nicely.
then went too see melvin corkscrew at the athletes foot arena was a bit smelly but vocals were good they sang ho humbug and flashdance so that was good crowd went crazy when they were joined on stage by ian huntley
after the corkscrew set i headed south to the butterhut tent saw a young man getting stabbed
by this time it was starting to get dark.. dizze rascals young sister was there i think she was coverd in joby. but it was hard to tell
next up went too see the stones .. fuck me they were big .. real fucking big
then someone tapped me on the shoulder n said.. mate your in the wrong place
