Was a fairly enjoyable experience this year made even more special by the fact that I can actually remember this year's event as opposed to last year's festival which I’m still not sure what happened!
-----The Image to the left feature's (right to left - Bunny's, Neave's, My and Simon's backs and featured in the local press this week)
I spent the Saturday with Keith and co mainly drinking and seemingly trying to avoid music for the most part of the day. A highlight of the day was Scroobius Pip who’s spoken word set was just the thing needed to clear anyone’s political beliefs and Blood Red Shoes which were electrically tasty. Disappointments included Kate Nash and Calvin Harris; both sets were to the most part miss able and forgettable. The night was wrapped up by a set from Supergrass who, it must be said were perhaps a little mediocre and unmoving.
On the way back to the tent the gang and I decided that we wanted to see the other side of festival life and snuck backstage to the holding areas where the bands were winding down. The festival security was seriously lax, this was proven as we walked through the single fence separating the punters and performers to be told by what looked like the only guard on site that we were to "close that bloody gate....we don't want anybody back 'ere". Once backstage we found a quiet spot in which we exchanged excited and bewildered looks to one and other. I managed to swindle some very tasty Japanese beer from the rider of one of the bands and tried out the toilet facilities which were certainly better than any of the shit-holes which could be found elsewhere on site. We quickly headed out of the backstage area after a good slap on my wrist by the stage manager.
We arrived back at the campsite gone midnight and settled down for a night of excessive drinking and chatting. We met up with some acquaintances in the early hours to carry on the festival mode. Slogging off to bed just after the sun rose extremely tired and sobering.
Sunday started as usual with the "festival blues" including headache, shits and bewilderment. I decided to explore the small pocket of Kentish country side before falling as sleep under the cool shade of the pear orchards surrounding the country house where the festival was set. I met up with Keith on the way back where we decided to take a slight detour of the festival site to visit a jolly little pub in the middle of nowhere which had the most amazing toilets... (Gods send to any festival reveller). After Bacon butty we trekked back onto site where we decided to pack up early instead of enduring another morning in the blazing sun with a head full of dizziness. So we called my sister Laura to come pick our stuff up along with Keith who returned home for a sleep and shower (he's getting old you see!).
So with Keith and the equipment returning home I decided to head back to festival site early to the ever growing crowds which were steadily building in the run up to opening time. This certainly wasn't a dull experience...the entertainment was provided by two twats having a fight within the crowd. The security seemed to finally be doing their jobs when the yobs were dragged off site. The gates were then opened for good measure and the true fun began.
I met up with Bunny, Simon and Neave to hand out flyers for our upcoming LOVE MUSIC HATE RACISM show. I managed to see a lot music on the Sunday considering that I really was not in the state for shit festival beer and I even managed to make the local paper. Highlights of the day included the acoustic styling of Kid Harpoon which was certainly refreshing to experience, as well as the edgy Noisettes, who are always a thrill to see and local band The Long Weekend who were stole the show with a set featuring all my favourites.
Keith returned just in time to catch the awesome Young Knives and eccentric set from the Rakes featuring really poor onstage dance moves but still enjoyable. After witnessing five minutes from an extremely crap and rambling Happy Mondays we decided to check out the talent on the other stages, this is where we discovered the true gem of the festival The Underground Heroes, hailing from Chatham these boys are certainly on track for greatness playing a loud set full of energy and arrogance. A definite must for anyone wanting to sample some real music full of attitude.
Keith and I trekked back to the car during the encores looking forward to a good shower and sleep. Overall the festival was fun and small with all the markings to become bigger and better in the year's to come.
Wow i can't believe how long it's been since my last post so here's a little update:
