Showing posts with label glastonbury. Show all posts
Showing posts with label glastonbury. Show all posts

Tuesday 23 July 2013

Music Notes July


I noticed that guitarist and songwriter extraordinaire Nile Rodgers played a fun set at Glastonbury 2013.  I caught him sing and speak a very entertaining set at EIBF (Edinburgh International Book festival) last year for a late evening slot at the Unbound session in the Speigel tent. Those funky Le Chic bass lines got everyone in the groove that night and his stories too.
In other news Thom Yorke and Atoms for Peace, played a killer set with Flea (of Red Hot Chillis fame) firing up his bass and there is a great review in the Times - I can just feel the sparks fly! I first heard Radiohead live in Edinburgh, where I was totally caught up in their energy and feel of their immersive ever-evolving soundscapes. 

Also the headliners at some of the major summer UK festivals have been less of a draw in my view. 

PS I love Fleetwood Mac, but their sound is a bit dated now! 


Monday 11 June 2012

Alternative Music Festivals UK 2012


There are ‘alternative’ festivals to the mainstream festivals - which are aimed at the more 'serious' music lovers rather than those simply seeking a party weekend. 

Cambridge Folk. http://www.cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk/
Doune the Rabbit Hole. http://dounetherabbithole.co.uk/
Celtic Connections. http://www.celticconnections.com/

Hop Farm with headliners Dylan and Peter Gabrielle is the festival I would head to. but I've not applied to any far away festivals for photo passes this year. I’m not prepared to deal with a tent for two nights, although I know many provide up-market camping with Yurts and more.

In Scotland T In the Parkhttp://www.tinthepark.com/ is the second biggest UK festival with many well known headliners, offering a wide range of artists but this festival can also be over commercialised. While Rockness http://www.rockness.co.uk/ is a better bet for outstanding scenery and a more alternative, eclectic and indie music line up.

With the recession and debt crisis attendance at festivals was down in 2011. There are also more festivals to choose from as well as there being loads of top festivals abroad with excellent line ups (such as Benicassim http://www.benicassim.org.uk/ ) which offer the hope of better weather and avoiding mud and rain!  New Scottish festival Doune the Rabbit Hole is a good bet for seeing up and coming Scottish bands.  


The biggest and best UK festival continues to be Glastonbury as it pursues its charity approach to avoid being over commercialised. Every fourth year they have to allow the fields to go fallow to recover. There is no Glastonbury 2012 however due to a lack of Portaloos and police officers caused by the London Olympics!. There you go : )  With the Jubilee and Olympics just as well we can think of the debt crisis after? 

Tuesday 28 June 2011

GLASTONBURY Festival 2011 CLIPS



Well maybe one day I might make this muddy festival field where some the best performances by artists have occurred. 
First check out this 'soul' voice of Aloe Blacc -  Main Stage and Acoustic Stage CLIPS.


How cool is this soul guy!  AND here's to Beyonce - the first woman to headline! Plus at 69 Paul Simon played the legendary slot... I saw Simon here last week, I will post a review asp.  Plus a top set from Coldplay who I saw perform at the SECC a few years back.
AND the classic  'American Pie' from Don MacLean - wishing I was there too... Maybe next year..

HURTS
I've been following HURTS and saw them here in Glasgow last year. Their sound is eighties-influenced Syth Pop with some cool songs. Theo is such a good front man, and I love the way they build up their songs.