The queuing system to get on the boat was pretty funny. Basically we were all bunched up together and then walked slowly in 10 metre blocks until we were about 20 meteres away from the security checking bags etc. We were then allowed to go 5 people at a time, but was based on trust, and everyone was so civilised. Once we got to the security though they weren't exactly the most thorough in checking the bags. In fact, my check went something like this: -
Me : "Do you want to look in my bag"
Security : "Have you got any recording equipment in there?"
Me : "Nope"
Security : "Off you go"
We got there for kick-off (which was around 12) although obviously the organisation wasn't quite honed as they were still setting up. We found out later that three of the crew boats had capsized on the way, which is quite scary really. The weather had been quite wet and the grass was quite damp, but it was nothing compared the state I've seen Glastonbury.
The first band on the main stage was Obijou, who looked like they were petrified. They were also the kind of soft spoken jangly music I wouldn't normally bother listening to let alone seeing in concert, but they passed the time, and Chris seemed to like them.
Following these were MeanRedSpiders. Now we could stand about two songs of this lot, as the lead singer was neither pretty or could sing, and her wailing was pretty unbearable. We left, grabbed some pizza, and wandered over to the other stage. Grabbing the pizza was a bit of an effort as, in order to get any food or drinks, you had to pre buy tokens at one of two stands. In fact, I think they could possibly have had a few more stalls and stands with stuff to do, but maybe as it was the 1st one it was difficult to get sposorship.
On the other stage was some band just finishing, and then we got David Ford. Now this guy was from England, and played 5 or 6 instruments on stage, using recording equipment to tie them all together. He reminded me of David Gray a bit, not his voice but it was similar music. However, it was very dull, and he annoyed me a lot by constantly slagging off England, and saying things like "This song is about the death of the coal industry"* when it quite clearly was about him breaking up with some girl. Also, all his songs sounded the same, so we left halfway through him too.
Back at the mian stage and we had possibly the best band we saw, Phoenix. They were from France so obviously had something about them to be there, and all the songs they played, even though I hadn't heard any of them (although it turned out later I had heard one) were good to bounce along to. When I get round to it I'll listen to some more of their stuff.
Next up were the Hidden Cameras and The Dears. We didn't really catch much of either, although the former had a good tune to start with, as we frequented the Bacardi B~Live tent for some cocktail type things. We had 7 each I believe. Also there were girls in gold bikinis serving.
Next up were Starsailor on the other stage. Now the last time I saw Starsailor at Glastonbury I was about a mile back. This time I just wandered up a minute before they were due on and got to the front row, very weird feeling that for a bad who are pretty popular in this country. They were very good as well, and as we knew the next act on the main stage would be delayed we stayed for most of the set, with only one song I knew not being played which was great. Lead singer bloke also kept lookng in my direction as I knew a lot of the words (actually I reckon he was checking out the girl to my left, but whatever).
At the main stage we had some more Brits with Muse. Now when I saw them before at Glastonbury I reckon I was halfway home I was so far back. Also it was very cold and I was tired an didn't enjoy them much. This time I was much more into it, and the singer's red jump suit looked good. They played mostly singles which is what I'd expect from a festival, but they cut their set short by about 20 minutes as they were running late.
Gnarls Barkley followed with a set that was quite dull, except for the obvious sing-a-long single Crazy. Lead singer bloke kept spouting rubbish between songs as a build up but it wasn't good. They looked nice in their red and white gospel costumes though.
Everything was about 30 minutes late now and we thought that the DJ set of Kid Koala might have been canned. But he still same out and played for about 20 minutes, and he was superb, especially his scratch mixing of Moon River.
He was supposed to be playing whilst the stage was being set for the Flaming Lips (here is a picture of the singer bloke watching Ohbijou)
but even after he finished they spent another 20 minutes or so setting up. This brought us to 10:40, with the show supposedly finishing at 11 there was a problem, and at 11:10 the show was abruptly brought to an end less than halfway through their alloted time. I've seen them before so it was OK for me, but I felt sorry for the people who had gone there just to see them play.
As a side note, during the lips set the singer comes out in a big bubble and surfs the crowd. A girl just behind me was cought off balance and would have fallen over had I not steadied her. As thanks she invited me to the Eagles of Death Metal (who had been playing elsewhere) afte show party at some hotel somewhere. I was a bit dubious when she said we should meet at the first tree on the left after the show, and so, suffice to say I wasn't partying with any eagles later that night (although I did stay out until 5, which probably wasn't the best idea as it meant I got up late on the Sunday and had 10 minutes to pack to come home).
All in all though, it was well worth the ludicrously cheap ticket (70 dollars maybe).
* Note he never actually said this, I just can't remember exactly what he did say as it was all rather boring
1 comment:
you've "ween" the flaming lips before?? Interesting ...
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