Glastonbury – How was it for you
As usual I thought Glasto was nothing short of sensational, but how was it for you, I would love to know.
Over the next few months, I will be reviewing, all the bands I saw, adding reviews of new stages and bars I visited as well as food and other outlets.
Also I will be doing this from my new self hosted website, all will be revealed in the coming month, in the meantime I will upload some of my favorite photos from the week.
Starting with above, a few shots from people arriving on the Wednesday. It was already pretty muddy by this stage as you can see.
Pendulum at Glastonbury 2009
Mighty live band are Pendulum. I don’t personally care for their recorded output, but their headline show on The Other Stage in 2009 was one of my absolute highlights. Live they just lift their game they spread their wings, adding the English MC Verse which seems to make all the difference.
Photo’s below are not very good, but I think they give you a little of the atmosphere that they are able to generate live.
If like me you chose to go to the Pyramid Stage rarely, Pendulum are as good a choice as any to see there.
Related articles
- Glastonbury boss regrets Wombles booking (telegraph.co.uk)
Jenny and Johnny at Laneway Festival 2011
Jenny and Johnny play The Park on Friday, and anyone who has listened to their recent album knows that this pair are a humorous, intelligent duo with great musical chops who will be worth getting to The Park to see.
I saw them at Sydney’s Laneway Festival in February and they were excellent. Put them on your must see list !
A few photo’s below taken at said gig, by the way if you get close enough and its a windy day you might want to check to see if Jenny is sans under pants as she was at Laneway.
Warpaint at the 2011 Laneway Festival
Warpaint at Laneway Festival in Sydney in early 2011, they were fantastic and will be even better at Glastonbury. Make sure you get to see them, they play twice, on The Park on Friday and JP Tent on the Saturday.
So no excuses
Sunday at Glasto 2011
Sunday at Glasto 2009 - Check out the dude asleep
Sunday at Glasto 11 looked a bit short on numbers but long on quality. Looks like I might start out with my bearded Canadian friend Dan Mangan and then move on to the Mirrors at Oxylers, for a rather underwhelming mornings entertainment, but then it hots up. Foster the People are brilliant and should lead well into Joy Formidable in a double that I will be definitely rocking up to at The JP Tent.
I hope the sun is shining and everyone is relaxed for what should be a terrific show from Bombay Bicycle Club playing for at least their third year in a row and making the big time hitting the Other Stage. Then back to JP for The Vaccines, again this is pretty much a locked in day to this point.
It now starts getting harder, there is a massive choice between Kaiser Chiefs and Pendulum, which will probably not be answered until 7.30 Sunday Night and then to finish off the night possibly QOTSA, Sub Focus, Pete Tong, even The Streets, I love none of them, so it will be a gut feeling at the time as to who I see.
So that’s it really the preview of 2011 Wrapped up, only 10 days before I hit the Sky’s and head over to the UK. I can’t wait.
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Sunday at Leftfield and only 17 days to Go
Sorry Billy Bragg but one of the lowlights of my 2010 festival was the time I spent at Leftfield. Admittedly I was feeling a bit crap, but I left halfway through the extended rant at bankers and went and had a beer at the bar opposite. So it it unlikely that I would visit or recommend going to Billy’s big round up.
It is quite an eclectic mix on the Sunday evening with 12 piece ensemble Bellowhead headlining.
It has been announced recently that Hard Fi will headline the Saturday, I’m a big fan of Hard Fi, seeing them during their triumphant 39 night run at Brixton Academy back in 06. In fact Billy Bragg supported them, so there association goes back a number of years.
In fact With Kid British on before them Saturday night at Leftfield looks quite appealing.
Related articles
- Glastonbury 2011: still eclectic (guardian.co.uk)
- Billy Bragg’s Big Busk (jordanphotos.wordpress.com)
Sunday at the Acoustic Tent
I wasn’t really going to preview the Sunday at the Acoustic Tent, because I didn’t really fancy anything, but then I read the article about the tent on the official website and had to put something more on the blog. It’s a great article and makes me feel shit that I haven’t been in the past couple of years. I do remember the Portishead debacle, we didn’t go see them because the rumors all day was that it was just getting more and more packed and you wouldn’t get a sniff of seeing them, seems that was true. Headlining on Sunday is Suzanne Vega and I am sure she will be great. Deacon Blue headline the Saturday a real blast from the past.
Now though what was previoulsy only pencilled in, Newton Faulkner on the Friday is a definite. I plan on going for dinner and a few beers and spend a nice leisurely Friday evening there. Now I just have to work out hoe to get there.
Sunday at the Avalon Stage
I haven’t reviewed the Avalon Stage previously, but as stages go it’s pretty good, and would be a 2nd stage at a lot of festivals. On the Friday, Kt Tunstell, The Beat and Barenaked Ladies are playing which is pretty impressive. On the Saturday one of my Favorites Newton Faulkner returns to the stage after a well received performance last year, but the Sunday is without parallel.
Opening up on the Sunday are Emerging talent finalists Louise and the Pins check them out at http://flyingwithanna.wordpress.com for more information and a video of them.
Also early on are one of my all time favorite bands The Wombles. I actually saw them live when I was about 8, I hope I was about eight because any older than that and that admission becomes a bit embarrassing. The Wombles writer Mike Batt sure knows how to write a tune, and I am sure that the place will be packed to the gills. Later in the evening areThe Low Anthem and City and Colour and again I think the place will be packed for 2 of the more interesting bands from the other side of the Atlantic.
The Avalon Stage has outdone itself this year, I really hope I finally make it here to see someone this year.
Sunday at the John Peel Tent
Sunday doesn’t hold a candle to the other days as far as bands go, but it still manages to have a few gems hidden away, not least 2 pearlers early on at the JP Tent. That is Foster the People whose album I am loving at the moment, they have that Mgmt feel to them, I think they will completely slay the crowd which will head nicely on to some real rock moments with The Joy Formidable. It should be a cracking couple of hours. Also playing the JP Tent a little later on will be The Vaccines. I think I will have probably have missed them on the Friday due to a clash, so will be looking forward to this with I imagine loads of people saying how awesome they had been on The Other Stage on the Friday. The Streets close off the JP Tent for the week, and they should have the place rocking.
Sunday at the Other Stage
A bit of a mixed bag on my favorite main stage for the Sunday. Dan Mangan starts the proceedings, I stopped off to see him open the JP tent on the Sunday last year but wasn’t that impressed. Clare Maguire is up next, to me she is the least talented of the female singers that have arrived on our doorstop in the last year or two. I haven’t seen the Cold War Kids but know loads of people who rate them and Noisettes are not my cup of tea. So it’s Bombay Bicycle Club who will probably be the first band I will trot up to see on the Sunday on the Other Stage, I loved their last album which is acoustic, so will be interesting to see how they go on the big stage. Like Laura Marling a more intimate stage would have been preferable although they have their rockier sound to fall back on. I will give TV on the Radio a miss and also The Eels. I must admit a guilty pleasure for the Kaiser Chiefs who have a great back catalogue and some fabulous tunes, and what a contrast to Beyonce we have headlining, QOTSA, I never thought I would write that abbreviation in my Glasto blog. Anyway I am told that they are awesome live and it’s not worth listening to any of their albums as they go off on complete tangents when they play. I wonder if they will get Dave Grohl to play with them.
Sunday on the Pyramid Stage
Glastonbury ends the week with another slice of American pop. Last year it was Stevie Wonder, this year it is Beyonce. I nearly went to see Stevie last year, but the massive crowd, the biggest I have ever seen at the Pyramid was a massive turn off. This year you won’t find me within a mile to see Beyonce. Well thats not strictly true because there is a good chance I will be there before her to see Pendulum. I saw them in 2009 on the Other Stage and they were one of my highlights. I hadn’t heard any of there stuff but they blew me away.
The only reason I may not see them is my fear of the Pyramid Stage and the massive crowds that are there, I prefer some of the smaller stages.
The rest of the Sunday lineup is pretty much mainstream pop and pretty disappointing, the likes of Don McLean and Paul Simon should be found at the Harvest Festival or on the
Avalon Stage not propping up a tired day at the Pyramid Stage. For me the only other singer I would bother with would be Laura Marling, whose last album is sublime, but I would prefer to see her somewhere much more intimate than at the huge expanses of the Pyramid.
SATURDAY
Saturday is looking like a great day to go tenting. That’s the John Peel tent. I have planned most of my day there and to finish off the night there before heading dancing in the early hours of the morning.
I will start the day by choosing between Alice Gold and Stornoway, no decision yet made on that one.
Then I will grab my gins handbag and head to the John Peel tent for Yuck, Dry the River , Anna Calvi and Warpaint.
Pretty damn awesome if you ask me. I’m not sure what I will do after that no firm plans, but will be seeing White Lies at the Other Stage and finish off with Glasvegas. I will probably miss Elbow, as long as I have tickets in place to see them in a cuddly little venue in Sydney in Late July.
Then if legs are willing I will set off to finish the evening dancing, with John Digweed, Dave Seaman and Nero.
SATURDAY AT THE DANCE VILLAGE
At least 4 stages at the Dance Village this year that are really of no concern to me this year on the Saturday. They are East Dance, Wow, Pussy Parlure and Cubehenge, so I will wrap the highlights into one preview.
I don’t fancy anything at all at East Dance, which is unusual I can usually see myself stopping off there at least once a day. If I am still awake at 3am I might try and find my way to Wow to see Nero, I have heard awesome things about these dub steppers, and there recent single garnered a top ten spot. So Wow could be packed with people or if like last year and it’s freezing fucking cold, I might be tucked up in my sleeping bag in about 5 layers of clothes.
That’s it for me, unless someone can tell me if there is anything cool that they fancy that I should check out.
SATURDAY AT OXYLERS IN WEST
42 DAYS TO GO
What the fuck is Oxlyers in West, can anyone explain, does it even make sense. Were even the hell is it. Okay from what I have read it is in the Dance Village and is a meeting of the Queens Head and the West Dance tent, so indie meets dance a music celebration like no other.
Except there is nothing that I fancy on the Saturday, is there something else like a cool bar a swimming pool or a Jacuzzi that may tempt me.
Headlining is John Digweed, and well I quite like John Digweed so there is a slight chance I might head there after Glasvegas timing permitting.
The rest of the day doesn’t really tempt me, Brother are interesting in that they sound just like the 93 version of Primal Scream, Cherry Ghost might be worth a visit but for me unless I’m wondering and fancy a rest it’s not looking like I will spend much time there on the Saturday.
SATURDAY AT THE PARK
I will say it right out, The Park is not my favorite area of the Festival. Don’t get me wrong it is a beautiful area, but it has very little protection from the elements, so I have always felt to hot or to wet or to thirsty as the bars have always been real crowded.
It’s always chocker, in part this is due to the eclectic artists booked but also to the Special Guests that are not advertised and who are always pretty mighty.
Biffy Clyro and Radiohead been last years.
So it would be real easy to go over to The Park to see Graham Coxon and get stuck there for the rest of the day. Tame Impala are on not to long after and the the Special Guest, if anyone has read Emily Eavis comments one of the Special Guests could have been a headliner. We will see.
SATURDAY AT THE OTHER STAGE
Alice Gold starts the day with a bang on the Other Stage
The lineup on the Other Stage on Saturday is for me a little disappointing, don’t get me wrong it finishes with a flourish with White Lies and The Chemical Brothers who will both play storming sets, I have seen White Lies twice and they were great and if you need to party hard to finish the day or get in the mood for some late night shenanigans then the Chems wills set the seal on the evening.
It’s the rest of the day that doesn’t inspire me, I have never been able to get into that Trans Atlantic rock of the Kills or the disco radio friendly sounds of Friendly Fires.
Jessie J just appears to be another over rated pop diva and the others are barely worth a mention,
except that is for Alice Gold who has a quirky back story involving Poker nights and Winnebago’s. Her sound is classic rock but she has energy and is gorgeous to boot, she maybe worth starting the day out with.
SATURDAY AT THE JOHN PEEL TENT
It looks like a greet day at the John Peel on Saturday possibly the best day in the last 3 years. I am sure Yuck will bring the house down, I described their debut album earlier in the year as possibly the UK debut of the year, why they are so early in the day is beyond me, but hopefully everyone can put their hangovers behind them and party hard. I expect a big crowd early on.
Dry the River are up next, their sound is pretty cool, but they are yet to release an album so a slight surprise that they are after Yuck, still worth hanging around and catching them.
Then for me 2 of the bands I most want to see Anna Calvi, who by all accounts is mightily impressive, this should just about be the highlight of Glastonbury, and then my all time favorite all girl band, Warpaint, if you missed them at the Park on the Friday make sure you catch them here.
I probably need to catch up with the Horrors and Battles music before deciding whether to see them or not but can’t see me hanging round as that would be to long of a day at one stage, but I expect to be back to see Glasvegas, whose second album I just love.
All in all a great day at the John Peel, where every band deserves to be on your list of bands to see.
SATURDAY AT THE PYRAMID STAGE
Stornoway at Laneway Festival
54 DAYS TO GO
I suggest forgetting about Coldplay, although I’m sure they will get a huge turn out and a massive lighter waving sing a long crowd. For me the headliners should be Elbow, a wonderful band with an impressive body of work and a fine, fine, fine latest album.
The Pyramid starts up with the awesome Stornoway, so it will be worth getting their early to see them and then follows up with Aussie’s Tame Impala a pretty damn good start to the day.
Gaslight Anthem are back to Glastonbury, remember a couple of years ago they played The John Peel Tent and The Boss, Bruce Springsteen guest appeared with them.
The rest of the lineup is not my cup of team so I will be heading elsewhere for the rest of the day, well until Elbow play anyway.
FRIDAY CLASHES
There are plenty of clashes on the Friday, which are going to be hard to avoid, however I have reduced the number of bands I want to see on the Friday to only 26 of which 7 I have seen before.
It’s certainly going to be hard to miss some of them, but it has to be done.
So let me give you a few clues on how my day maybe spent. I am going on the Clashfinder times, which change right on up to the day so that’s why I don’t rule anything out at this stage.
It looks likely that Cocoon are going to be the first band of the day as there seems like no clashes first up.
Next up may well be decided by the weather, in the running are Metronomy, Brother and Stonefield. Third band of the day will be between Two Door Cinema Club, The Naked and the Famous and Mona, although I haven’t ruled out Dry the River. Next looks likely to be The Vaccines but Miles Kane and Summer Camp are in the running. Jenny and Johnny are hard to place at the moment as they are on at The Park it’s pretty unlikely.
The Wombats go head to head with Warpaint and Newton Faulkner in what is looking like the hardest decision of the day. Bright Eyes and Fleet Foxes look like they will be up against no one unless the Dance Vibe takes over from the Folk vibe.
Mumford & Sons looks odds on against Morrissey and it should be Primal Scream to finish off the Day meaning U2 and Fatboy Slim miss out.
So in Reverse order headliner to opener here is my opening gambit in regards to Friday
Primal Scream
Mumford & Sons
Fleet Foxes
Bright Eyes
The Wombats
The Vaccines
The Naked and The Famous
Stone field
Cocoon
So a long day at the Other Stage which in reality is unlikely.
FRIDAY AT EAST DANCE
It looks like East Dance will start quiet, then get all the teenager pop lovers along and finish off with a hell of a party.
The 2 big pop chicks will certainly get things going Katy B and Keisha, the purist’s amongst us may laugh and be nowhere near East Dance but this is what makes Glastonbury great, that they have 2 of the bright young things of pop from either side of the Atlantic, belting out their hits.
Katy B at Dance East - Friday
Imagine Reading and Leeds or other festivals having the balls to have both of them playing and then having them playing such a small area.
Dance East finishes with a real bang, I have always said I want to see Fatboy Slim at Glastonbury and maybe I will this time, The Fatster headline’s but is also doing back to back with the Man with 3 decks, Carl Cox.
I’m not sure how often these guys get together, but it’s not that often you get to see 2 legends of dance play together.
Related Articles
- Reading & Leeds Dance Stage Line Up Announced (eclecticallychallenged.com)
- Glastonbury 2011 – full line-up announced (telegraph.co.uk)
ALBUM OF THE WEEK – NAKED AND THE FAMOUS – PASSIVE ME AGGRESSIVE YOU
59 DAYS TO GO
New Zealand’s best band get a great Friday Other Stage gig and going by this, their debut album they will be well worth going and seeing. Recent winners of the NME best new band award, they also played the main stage at Big Day Out this year, so they are definitely on everyone’s radar and should be on your’s.
Passive me Aggressive You Is the album Mgmt should have come up with but didn’t. Does this mean that NAF are just a copy band of Mgmt. The answer to this is no, they have definitely got their own sound , they surely take the best bits of Mgmt but they add the 80’s pop sensibility of New Zealand’s other pop star Ladyhawke.
Passive Me’s obvious hit and best tune is Punching in a Dream, but there are plenty of other great tracks to keep you coming back for more.
Pop Debut of the year? Possibly. Well worth anyone’s hard-earned, go out and listen for yourself.
FRIDAY AT THE JOHN PEEL TENT
64 DAYS TO GO
With Chipmunk starting the Festival on the other stage, and The master musicians of somewhere on the Pyramid, it is worth looking around for another venue to start your day.
If you’re not to hung over, I find the Thursday to be a great day to get rat faced, I suggest you check out Cocoon on the John Peel. They are a French folk band in the manner of Mumford & Sons, check out their single Comets from the album Where the Oceans end and get along.
It’s probably worth then staying for Australian band Stonefield, all girl sister band, one of the girls is only 14 or so.
Next up are one of the sounds of 2011 according to the BBC, Mona, their album is out on the 16th of May, I will check it out to see if they are a wet weather alternative to the bands on the Other Stage.
Although the rest of the lineup is relatively strong, I won’t be hanging around too much, it seems like it is the one half’s playing, Miles Kane one half of the Last Shadow Puppets and DJ Shadow one half of Uncle. I suppose there is an outside chance Alex Turner may turn up and guest with Miles Kane. Miles has an album out on the 6th of May, so if you’re considering seeing him, I suggest you buy it.
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