No more sinning for me.
Well, at least no more virtual sinning in blogspace.
If I had to pick my big three highlights they would be:
1. The Strokes
A real festival crowd pleaser of a set, all the big hits were belted out in style and it was a pretty tight performance. The atmosphere was great, with everyone was singing and dancing - Last Night was electric, and 12.51 and Someday real standouts. The banter left something to be desired (see awards).
2. Macca
Magical Tour de Force. I was slightly wary of a Wings dominated performance but it was actually a very balanced set. Jet and Band on the Run were very good. Live and Let Die was a high point - forceful, energetic and with a loud and bright back-drop of fireworks. As expected, a huge cheer went up for Hey Jude, and there was a very real danger that the crowd would never stop singing the Chorus and reprise. My highlights from the Beatles back catalog were probably Day Tripper, Eleanor Rigby, Yesterday, Back in the USSR and Sgt. Pepper. Macca connected well with the crowd (see awards)
3. James.
A very different atmosphere to the main stage, the James experience in the "Big Top" tent was - intense. Tim Booth can be really quite scarily intense. There was nothing that seemed out of place in a very strong set, and it's hard to pick my favourite moments. Laid was a high energy dancing sing-along, Sometimes was an uplifting joy, Sit Down stand-outOut to Get You melodic and intense. (see awards)
The Friendly Fires, Courteeners, The Doves, and Vampire Weekend were also great and I would go out of my way to see them again. Crowded House had lost something of their glorious spark, but were still reliably good.
*Most energetic performance*
Another close tie between James and Friendly Fires. When not standing rigid and staring intensely, Tim Booth was twirling around the stage like a mad man, throwing in a few of the best 'Dad moves' I've ever seen. Friendly Fires were constantly jigging, jumping and dancing in the midday heat. Based on sheer physically exertion - proven by the sweat-drenched shirt of Ed Macfarlane - the latter should edge it. Award goes to Friendly Fires.
*Worst facial hair*
This is a close tie between the 'tache' sported by Crowded House' Neil Finn and beard of the Editors' Tim Smith. Neil looked like he had trained a grey slug to balance on his upper lip. Tim Booth looked like he was auditioning for the Wolfman. Award goes to Tim Smith, Editors.
* Best banter*
The Strokes' Julian Casablancas is of worthy mention, his banter was so bad it was almost good! He seemingly forgot to greet the audience, eventually stopping Hard to Explain to mumble something, slurred and drawled 'cool' and 'yeh man' after every song.
Sir Paul greeted the crowd like a true professional, and continued to string entire intelligible sentences together throughout his set. He even threw in an anecdote about Jimi Hendrix (seeking out Eric Clapton in the audience to help tune his guitar) and a touching tribute to his friend John. Award goes to Paul McCartney.
* Best over-heard quote *
This had to be the moment where, in carefully jumping over small rivulets in the toilet queue, a Mother stated to her child "We'll wait till we get to the camp-site, the toilets will be better there". Poor naive festival virgins.
Oxegen next .... Can't wait!
Posts
