OK, I haven’t been in alone in the evening at this time of year for a number of years. But I am tonight, and BBC4 are playing the Pretenders. Shying from calling them a heritage act, irrespective of the clearly heritage audience, they have kicked off with all the hits. And, as @jack_the_biscuit would say, I would. Cracking band, with James Walbourne (the Rails) on geetar and a never more Captain Pugwashalike Martin Chambers on drums, i’m loving it!
And you?
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Sewer Robot says
Yep, The Pretenders are a rockin’ so I’ve come knockin’. Earlier Angel Olsen was doing her best to seduce I but not sure she’s got the Bucks Fizz technique of knowing when to speed it up and when to slow it down. Lovely smile, though!
Ooh! – Anderson .Paak at 8.45 with Lorde in the larder for later
Black Type says
Another ‘up’ for The Pretenders…Chrissie is ageless!
minibreakfast says
Not bad for nearly 67, eh? That’s militant veganism for ya.
retropath2 says
And, heck, straight into a sprightly Kris Kristofferson. Looking good, he must be getting younger; he was twice my age 40 years ago, now he’s only 25% older. Have to say better live than I would expect, he a little (little) tiresome on record, what with all the gravel and dust anecdotes, missing thus far.
(Am I alone in this virtual field? Join me, I have just had a cracking gruyere and lime pickle toastie, washed down with a chewy 14% tempranillo.)
minibreakfast says
I’m over on 2 now, watching the Hot 8 Brass Band. Parp!
retropath2 says
Love to join you, but hooked on the ancient cowboy. (Do they still call him a Rhodes Scholar or did that vanity die with Clinton?)
Hope I can look that good at 81. Shit, wish I looked that good at 50. And I’m feckin’ 60.
Uncle Wheaty says
Kris needs to let it go now.
At 81 he can, and should retire, but still looks good for his age etc…
Happy Harry says
The Pretenders rocking BBC4 just now; sound as good as ever which bodes well for Cornbury next month. Kris Kristofferson is on now; sounding good too
retropath2 says
Johnny Depp getting cheers for joining KK. (How did the audience know? I had to concentrate to wonder/guess who it was. I take it is Johnny Depp? Ah, KK has just explained it is.)
And KKs voice, a fragile vessel at best, has now gone to catarrh and sputum
Bamber says
My immediate reaction was “What the fuck is Adam Ant doing on stage with Kris Kristofferson”? I wish it had been Adam. Depp is devaluing himself week on week, year on year. That didn’t help.
Moose the Mooche says
Depp could have been Daniel Day-Lewis. Instead he became a self-parody.
bricameron says
Maybe he’s just having fun?
Moose the Mooche says
Tchuh! I don’t have fun at work, why should he?
Sewer Robot says
It was strange seeing Kris looking about 1000 years old on catch up this morning and thinking of Gladys Knight’s version of “Help Me Make It Though The Night” which she introduces as being by “one of our best young songwriters”.
And, on a soul singer cover tip, I hope I don’t get my AW membership revoked when I admit that I never knew one of my favourite Al Green songs – For The Good Times – was a KK composition..
minibreakfast says
Got KK on now. Mr B entered the living room and was immediately rendered misty-eyed.
retropath2 says
Royal Blood is it, now? Sounds like Back Sabbath to me, with half as much to look at. Over to Beeb2 foe me.
Uncle Wheaty says
Agreed
JustB says
I gave Royal Blood five songs before turning them off. Those five songs? They were one song. Couldn’t tell em apart.
retropath2 says
OO, it’s a backstage show, and it’s an Amy for the teenses. OK enough what little I caught, all but her name, before charisma-phobes Elbow. Garvey looking like a bit like Ant McPartlin at the Priory, unseen photos. (Ain’t it great we now have a reason to know which is which! Ant and/or Dec, notAnt and/or Guy. i want to like Elbow, and have bought a couple of their LPs, but it is all a bit worthy. And dull.
(Oh, great, they have just done a spoiler for the surprise guests on BBC4 later, saving me the bother.)
And now some arse to be the voice for the dance tent, who needs a good fucking off, everyone knows the dance tent is full of embittered 5o year olds reliving what they can’t remember from 30 years ago.
XX are good, tho’. Is Jamie the fey guitarist/singer or the turntables? Dig the prognathic bassist.
minibreakfast says
Still can’t believe Guy’s married to Rachel Stirling*. Punching well above his considerable weight.
*I would
Gatz says
You’re full of surprises, Mini.
minibreakfast says
Full of gin too.
Gatz says
Me too! First day of my first week off in months. Guy’s at Glasto at the moment. Should we call Rachel and see if she wants to ‘meet up’?
minibreakfast says
Haha! Got to be worth a try.
Sewer Robot says
Oh Rachael, isn’t it obvious? McKenzie Crook on Detectorists is too slim, GG is too chunky – whereas I would be just right..
Moose the Mooche says
Not imagining Rachel and Mini.
Not at all.
SteveT says
Mini, you would with Guy or Rachel? Or maybe a threesome?
minibreakfast says
Not keen on Guy, although I’m sure he’s a lovely chap.
Moose the Mooche says
What’s wrong with tubby northern chaps then? Eh?
The Good Doctor says
In reply to yr original question retro, Jamie XX is the geezer behind the turntables and also doing a lot of the drum parts live by hitting buttons on a sampler which isn’t as easy as it looks. I quite like The XX, they are basically the Young Marble Giants / Marine Girls with a ravey DJ behind them – and love the OTT rock poses they keep pulling – good mix of bedsit misery / rocking out
Moose the Mooche says
The XX are two-thirds of something I would be very interested in.
I made that joke in 2010. It was crap then and all.
Mike_H says
Only tuned in during The Pretenders set, but found them very satisfying. Blossoms less so.
Something that I noticed. James Walbourne played at least 4 different guitars during The Pretenders set. Chrissie stuck to the same one throughout.
Is this constant guitar-changing actually just a bit of ponciness? A saxophonist might change from a tenor to an alto as befits what the song/tune requires because they have different tonal ranges. Likewise a trumpeter might switch to a flugelhorn.
In the studio it might well pay to use particular guitars for particular characteristics but in a live setting unless a guitarist needs a different tuning (for slide) or number of strings (for increased jangle), surely with the vast racks of effect pedals available it can’t really be sound characteristics of the instrument. Unless it’s actually because in order to present a slick show they don’t want to have to retune between songs when they can be handed a nice freshly-tuned geetar by their tech-person instead.
Last Richard Thompson band gig I attended, he used the same spearmint-green Strat throughout apart from on a couple where he was handed an acoustic by his tech.
Martin Belmont, when I saw him the other week with Hank Wangford, used only a Strat and a Fender Bass VI as necessary.
Twang says
One of the Steely Dan rules is “All guitars sound the same. Don’t change it”. The only real reason is if it’s in a different tuning which saves the audience sitting there watching a frowning guitarist glaring at a tuner for 5 minutes.
SteveT says
Not a guitar tech and concede frequent changing is a bit irritating. However James Walbourne played one of the best solos I ever heard. He was in Edwyn Collins band and when they played Girl Like you one of his strings had broken. He was visibly irked and launched into a snarling solo the likes of which I have never heard before/since.
Paul Wad says
The best performance I’ve seen him give was at the Borderline with Peter Bruntnell and he completely stole the show.
The first time I saw him I was actually in the queue behind him outside the Social in London, for a Joe Pernice acoustic gig. He was with a few mates and I got chatting with them and asked if they were a band, cos they had the look of one, but they just told me that James was in a band. As they said that James Dean Bradfield came and stood at the side of us, so I said “he’s in a band too”.
Anyway, halfway through Pernice’s set he said he wanted to do a couple of songs with his mate James, so me and my mates naturally presumed it would be James the Manic and were rather disappointed when we saw it was the young bloke I’d been speaking with in the queue. But then we heard him play…
Paul Wad says
I once went to see The Lilac Time and they had around a dozen guitars standing around the stage, but only used a couple of them. Seemed a bit daft to me.
I’ll let James Walbourne off though, cos he’s brill. I’ve seen him with various bands (Peter Bruntnell, Pernice Brothers, etc) and used to watch him in Bap Kennedy’s band on a Sunday evening in the Boogaloo, before the Boogaloo disappeared up it’s own arse. Walbourne’s one of the best guitarists I’ve seen though. Although after seeing my mate’s son playing the lead guitarist in Lloyd Webber’s The School Of Rock I reckon he’ll give Walbourne a run for his money!
Moose the Mooche says
Dude, that Lila gig was a stage set… the theme being “Music Shop”. Did you miss the glass counter full of collectable plectrums and the handwritten sign saying “No Stairway!”
Paul Wad says
Yep!
retropath2 says
Went to the loo and some woman in a red veil, so my first red button job. Toss up between First Aid Kit, swedish Emmylou would beez or Ride, who were/are a bit jollier. I thought they were a footlook band, ho ho, my old bloke joke.
Are they playing in what used to be the acoustic tent?
retropath2 says
The Ride drummer is getting a bit annoyingly generic: bom bom bobobobombom.
Cripes, this red button is a bit of a magic carpet. Back in the day it was a 20 minute trek twixt stages, and I can go straight back to pedal steel winsomeness in a split second. Nice to see 1960’s make-up is now available in Stockholm.
Mike_H says
Highlights of Margo Price’s set are very enjoyable so far. Good Honky-Tonk country stuff. The proper stuff.
Kid Dynamite says
I’ve been pretty much nailed to the West Holts stage this evening. Enjoyed Little Dragon, and Anderson Paak is being excellent right now.
I did see Angel Olson earlier, thought her set veered from really really good to numbingly tedious, quite often during the same song.
retropath2 says
Where they, Mike? I need convincing about her, as I find the record too yeah
retropath2 says
Pat Thomas Band! (No, me neither.) Wonderful!!
minibreakfast says
Parp!
Sewer Robot says
Someone open a window..
retropath2 says
Bloody hell, just found that Lorde the youngsters, and @Lodestone_of_wrongness is so keen on. She is online, if you say you are over 18 and want parental control turned off.
Strange NZ/yank crossbred, with the soliloquy offered about the love of Glasto a bit toe-curling. Jings, she goes on a bit, That’s saved me a tenner.
And the red veil above was/is Little Dragon. Like I should know?
Markg says
Bartleby says
Blimey that’s a bit good!
Kid Dynamite says
GUYS GUYS GUYS, GO AND WATCH ANDERSON PAAK. IT IS AMAZING.
minibreakfast says
This Halsley girl is admirable, but where’s Uncle Albert?
Markg says
Always try to like Radiohead but often leave me wanting more of a tune to remember…looking forward to seeing if they can change my mind tonight….presume lots of love for them here?
aging hippy says
I’ve just given them 20 minutes of my life that I’ll never get back again. Still can’t stand them. Pretentious wankers.
Black Type says
…is the correct answer. My very similar thoughts posted on Facebook…
“No matter how many times I try, no matter how often I’m hooked in by an occasional deceptively decent song, whenever I bite the bullet and give Radiohead ONE MORE CHANCE, I find to no great surprise that yes, I was correct in the first place and they are indeed unutterably shite. #FuckingManbun #Twat”
retropath2 says
Clean Bandit? O do eff off, dance music for parents where the Joanne/Tracy/Helga (delete as applicable) School of Dance summer show is the highlight of their social calendar. (And didn’t Lucy and Lulu look delightful in their tutus)
ernietothecentreoftheearth says
Funnily enough, where I live Clean Bandit appear to be very popular with the young women who live in the Housing Association estates hereabouts. They always start singing along whenever one of the songs comes on the radio in the shops. Perhaps this is just down to regional differences.
retropath2 says
Anderson Paak? Bit too much of a change of direction for me? He didn’t play any Vangelis, let alone his Yes stuff.
retropath2 says
Back on dry land. WTF Glass Animals? I pity his poor mum, hanging out those sheets, day after day.
Phil Pirrip says
I’ve just gained control of the remote and the TV is mine. Started with Elbow, but struck by the grey and balding contingent still recording the set on a phone. Surely these people have ample connectivity and experience to have programmed HD boxes and failing that, iPlayer at home.
Ralph says
Just catching up. Royal Blood half a Metal band without the pretty ones. Have they no mates?
Kris still got it. Maybe not the best setting for him but I saw him last year at close quarters and he was wonderful. Elbow are fine with me. I’ll be quite happy to see them in a park next month
Mike_H says
Declan McKenna is not doing it for me, currently.
Not actually Bad, but not anything special at all.
Ralph says
I’m docking a point from Radiohead for Thom’s man bun!
chiz says
SIT UP STRAIGHT, YOUNG GREENWOOD!! You’ll do your back.
retropath2 says
Ad the pianist leaning over in the abject possession by his art…….
Tosser.
Nice how Thoms head hair has kept its dark sheen tho’, even if his whiskers haven’t.
But I luuuuurve Lucky so all forgiven. Instantaneously.
Mr H says
Both of them need a trip to the barbers!
Moose the Mooche says
The idea of someone sitting watching Glasto and chuntering about someone should get their hair cut is very funny.
“Is that a boy or a girl?”
“Two years in the army would do ’em good!”
Wilson Wilson says
They appear to have cloned Phil Selway. I’m hoping twin drummers means they’ll be doing some Adam and the Ants later.
retropath2 says
And after Lucky, straight into clever clever bonkers mad bonkers. OK, I am a new acolyte at their temple, quite enjoying the new one, the Computer one and the Kid one, but had I heard this live show first I would be 30 quids better off.
I don’t want them to play Creep, but it would be a relief if they’d, if you catch my.
retropath2 says
i’m bored.
Gatz says
I gave up and am watching the repeat of QI I recorded.
eddie g says
Everyone I’ve seen so far have been really dull. Elbow are what The Smiths would have sounded like without Morrissey or Marr (or even the other two). Radiohead are vacuum cleaners with lights. I quite enjoyed The Lemon Twigs- they were an approximation of what a great rock band should be without ever actually threatening to achieve anything approaching *actual* greatness. Fantastic thin-kid posing in other words.
Pop is dead. Festivals are dead. Only Moby Grape can save us now. When are they on?
aging hippy says
Moby Grape? If only…
retropath2 says
Fire that up again tomorrow and we can jest on 1967 being nearly ten past, um, six. (Doesn’t really work)
eddie g says
Actually…hold the Grape for a while. Just saw First Aid Kit and they re-affirmed my faith in modern pop.
JustB says
Yeah the way you can tell pop and festivals are dead is by how there are more festivals than ever before and they pretty much all sell out. Doornails!
eddie g says
I was too young for Woodstock or Monterey but it strikes me that those festivals were somehow historically *significant* even at the time (as was Altamont for slightly darker reasons). They seemed to be the natural pinnacle of a youth movement that was bewildering and scary for an older generation of Mr Jones’s who didn’t ‘understand’. Nowadays there are indeed more festivals, more bands. They are all far more commercially successful and everyone has fun. Nothing wrong with that of course. But, for me at least, the lack of a Mr Jones to piss off or bewilder has made it all rather insipid and has reduced pop music to mere entertainment and nostalgia where once- wrongly as it turned out- it was seen as something far more potent. There is no generation gap anymore and without that there can be no outrage. Strikes me that all the major movements in pop music, from Elvis to punk, have been inspired by that sense of fear and confusion.
Moose the Mooche says
If you put Theresa May or your average Daily Express reader in the middle of Glasto you’d find Mr Jones is very much alive and well.
The Man is always with us.
eddie g says
Possibly. Although pop music has never been easier to ignore.
Phil Pirrip says
Somehow I don’t think Radiohead will convert the doubters with this set. Everyone to their own I suppose. Anyway, I’m hooked. That said can they cut out the close-ups on Thom. Too disturbing with no lights on and after a few glasses of wine.
JustB says
Ver Head appear to be playing a set just for me. I’m loving this.
Wilson Wilson says
Me too. They’re playing here in a couple of weeks and I wasn’t going to bother, but now I’m reconsidering…
Phil Pirrip says
Fab. Contemplating a trip to Manchester on 4/7 if my ‘sensible’ gene doesn’t kick in.
retropath2 says
Ata Kak on the red button is much more fun.
Mr H says
They sound good but it’s not exactly fun is it? Johnny G looking very Kevin & Perry
Mike_H says
A bit of interaction with the audience from Radiohead wouldn’t go amiss. Thom Yorke twitching, grimacing and making animalistic noises doesn’t really achieve that.
Declan says
Thoroughly enjoying what Radiohead are doing, well-textured muso stuff over varied rhythm section drive.
Never liked the vocals, though.
Still, a bit less chagrin wouldn’d go amiss around here either, it’s only a rock band after all..
retropath2 says
Eh? Rock band = consciousness acceptance of shite, d’jer mean, as opposed to getting upset when it is?
Declan says
Thinking merely in terms of “rock band” as a generic term for this kind of thing. Definitely doesn’t include acccepting shiteness.
I’ll give them “foive”.
😉
Kid Dynamite says
I am literally watching an empty stage at the moment in preference to Radiohead. The Flaming Lips are about to come on. You should all watch them. They will make your life better.
Sewer Robot says
Caught up with First Aid Kit’s set while ver ‘head were on (*turns head to camera 2* Nice!) but am gonna scootch in beside you for the Flips, KD..
Mike_H says
I enjoyed First Aid Kit.
Both gals very good singers and harmonies were exceptional. Darker-haired of the two has a timbre reminiscent of Cass Elliot, which was pleasing.
A couple of pretty throwaway songs and some very good indeed.
Kid Dynamite says
always room for a small one
Ralph says
Musically I’m loving it
daff says
I rarely bother ‘watching’ music on the telly these days – I much prefer just listening………anyway, today down here in sunny Cornwall, it has been a bit dull and gusty so being happily retired i decided to give First Aid Kit a viewing via the Chrome Cast thingy. I should add that F.A.K. Is (are?) one of my faves by the way. I thought they were absolutely brilliant – good selection of songs and obviously enjoying themselves. For clarification, as seems to be the thing these days, I admit that “I would”
Don’t think I will bother with any of the other Glasto stuff – F.A.K. was such a delight!
retropath2 says
Just found Margo Price on the red button. Am I surprised it is the country/world/electronica I am preferring to the rock/post-rock/postpost-rock?
I blame the Beatles.
And am off to to bed and read my book, as she has gone all, as feared, “and western”
Phil Pirrip says
Another vote for Margo Price and the band. Cracking stuff & one to keep and eye out for.
Mr H says
Now discovered I can watch RH in HD on the red button – mummy, I’m scared!!
Moose the Mooche says
Do we think that Thom now looks the way he’s always wanted to look?
JustB says
I actually think he looks better now than he ever has done. Rock star never suited him: cheerful tramp’s mate does.
Moose the Mooche says
That’s what I meant. When ver Head emerged Thom was blonde. He looked shocking. Like someone from a Birdland tribute band.
Mike_H says
Struck by an idea about Radiohead and their music.
They are the sound of the complete mental breakdown you might have had, had they not been there to enact it for you.
The stage lighting is like it’s all taking place at the bottom of a municipal swimming pool.
Declan says
Well, that might well apply to Yorke’s whingey singing but give the the other four some credit for their unorthodox shifting instrumental prowess.
In fact, I keep hoping for a guitar wig-out but, sure nuff, Yorke just can’t leave the frigging microphone alone.
Moose the Mooche says
Yeah, Nirvana ought to play this festival.
Are they still going?
Gatz says
The paradox of Radiohead: they have to keep up their ‘no-one understands us and we don’t care’ act while simultaneously delivering a festival-pleasing headline spot.
I’m quite surprised how much I’m enjoying it.
Moose the Mooche says
Making no pretence of objectivity of the festival they are covering, the BBC News page was saying that Radiohead were in “rare form”… when they’d been on stage for about ten minutes.
aging hippy says
The Flippies were flamin’ groovy man.
Ralph says
They were and I’m sure I enjoyed Major Lazer for all the right reasons too
Mike_H says
So…
Just had a look and the Glastonbury torrents available so far on Dimeadozen are:
Dua Lipa First to appear at 14:10 yesterday
Lemon Twigs at 16:26
Halsey at 17:38
Royal Blood at 17:47
George Ezra at 19:14
Ride at 19:28
The XX at 19:35
Little Dragon at 19:58
First Aid Kit at 20:06
Elbow at 20:20
Lorde at 21:01
The Pretenders at 21:14
Clean Bandit at 22:04
Anderson Paak & The Free Nationals at 22:14
Radiohead at 23:59
Flaming Lips at 00:50 this morning
Mark Lanegan at 01:10
Many, many more to follow, no doubt.
ernietothecentreoftheearth says
A young woman who works with my wife is at Glastonbury this year. My wife asked who was on and the young woman ( early 20s ) mentioned Radiohead, but said she don’t know them, adding that she thought her Mum had heard of them. She said that the Foo Fighters were also playing. She did know them and thought they were ok, but she was really looking forward to seeing Ed Sheeran.
Black Type says
She’ll probably have a better time by not being hung up on watching the main acts – there’s much more to experience away from the Pyramid, or so the young people tell me.
ernietothecentreoftheearth says
I suspect that she and her friends ( regular festival goers, but first time at G’bury) won’t be that hung up about acts full stop.
Moose the Mooche says
Looking at the BBc2 schedule for tonight I noticed a programme callled Supercharged Otters. On closer inspection this is a nature documentary and not part of the Glasto coverage. I am disappoint,
retropath2 says
Just had a look for today and very slim pickings indeed. Songhoy Blues and the National seem to be about it
Sewer Robot says
No love for Toots? Or Solange? A singalong to the sparkly choreography of the extant Jacksons? Maybe one of DJ Shadow or The Avalanches will burst out of their box…?
Me, I’m hoping Wild Beasts will exercise some “Cut The Crap” style revisionism per their last “sexy like a sex pest” record…
retropath2 says
I nearly added Toots to the list but have had disappointment with reggae legends of late….
Sewer Robot says
Yeah, I get that. I’ve heard a few reports that Sly’s work in their bathroom has been superb, but sometimes they have to get Robbie back to re-do the grouting…
Moose the Mooche says
Robbie’s a precision grouter. He uses a compass point.
retropath2 says
Anyone here today? Just decided to put on the TV as background, catching the end of Jools Holland, actually something many might wish for. As always, having seen him live a brace of times, I had forgotten quite what a shit hot storm the R’n’b orch put on, enough to forget the little prat playing piano. Astonishingly well. Sad to see ’em without Rico, but his spirit was there. And whether there is a finer soul belter than Ruby Turner from this country, it’s news to me. You can have all your Beyonces and Solanges, now Aretha is past her best, I’ll have our Roobs every time.
Then it was straight over to Craig David, fer chrissake……. When did he become credible?
Back to XX on the red button. (I’ve ordered their new platter, pop-pickers!)
JustB says
“Credible”?
retropath2 says
No, no, no, not to me, I mean credible enough to be remotely considered suitable for Glastonbury and drawing the, apparently, biggest crowd there thus far. I suspect I am thinking Glastonbury as in the last century sense of the experience.
JustB says
Yeah I’m not sure the concept of “credible” is really a thing at this point, hence the question.
Moose the Mooche says
Earlier a feller with a beard brought on another feller with a beard, who started talking about peace and love.
It’s like some kind of…. bloody hippy festival!
retropath2 says
Hey Moose, your Otter show has just begun!
Moose the Mooche says
They are CANING this crowd. Rock and Rolllllll!
JustB says
Just watching the Pretenders from last night. Amused by the faintly Lecterish effect of keeping Martin Chambers behind glass isolation panels.
“I ate his drumsticks with some baked beans and a nice can of special brew.”
Moose the Mooche says
“It rubs the PETA-approved lotion on its skin”
JustB says
Or it gets the soy halloumi again.
Dave Ross says
Liam Gallagher giving it plenty on BBC4 right now, he’s a rock’n’roll star apparently
retropath2 says
Glad he’s got his cagoule on, just in case of a chill wind.
Moose the Mooche says
There’s a certain category of ageing indie rockers, mostly from the north west, who can and will wear bus-shelter issue anoraks under all and any circumstances – particularly under hot studio lights.
The Charlatans, Oasis, Lightning Seeds, Beautiful South, Super Furries, Brotherhood of Man etc.
Freddy Steady says
@disappointmentbob Wife commented on that. Is it a noise thing or protection from cans of piss?
Liam Gallagher on now…bit shouty and flat.
JustB says
It’s for isolating sound. Usually used in the studio so the drum mics don’t get spill from the guitar mics and vice versa. Can’t imagine the point on a stage in the middle of a field – everyone else manages without!
I’m watching DJ Shadow. Ace but would be better with a vast spliff.
Gatz says
For you, him or both?
Sewer Robot says
What I luv about Shadow’s set is how much it looks like how the folks of forty years ago imagined “pop in 2017” would be. If you’d told people back then that someone like Liam Gallagher would be stepping out at Glastonbury rather than busking in a tube station they’d never have believed you..
JustB says
Both! I’ve just realised I haven’t been stoned for exactly 14 years. Glastonbury 2003, in point of fact.
fentonsteve says
I suspect Chrissie has tinnitus – the splashy sound from cymbals play havoc with it.
Debbie Harry similarly makes Clem play behind a plexiglass wall.
minibreakfast says
I make Mr B do most things behind a plexiglass wall.
Moose the Mooche says
Tres kinko!
PS If Debbie had her way, Clem would play in a sealed concrete box at the bottom of the Atlantic.
fentonsteve says
Yes, in one of those Beeb4 docs on Blondie, Clem did a roll round his kit in earshot of Debbie.
“Did you have to do that?”
That, I think you’ll find Debs, is what drummers do.
Kid Dynamite says
The National, eh?
JustB says
They work better after dark. Amazing at Latitude last year, but then I was all by myself and quite drunk – my favourite way to experience a gig!
Kid Dynamite says
They’re working pretty well in my front room right now. Funny how one bunch of overly serious middle aged white men bored me to death last night, and now I’m loving, er, a bunch of overly serious middle aged white men.
JustB says
I felt they were a bit stilted at first but they’re hitting their stride now.
I was once asked to play at one of my best friend’s weddings. It was just me, so I bought a looper pedal and played an instrumental I Need My Girl as they came up the aisle of the tent. That song always makes me terribly soppy now.
Moose the Mooche says
With no-one to look after you? I be worry!
JustB says
Ha, and quite right too. I fell over one time.
Moose the Mooche says
Ohhh! Poor lad.
Still, if you’re hammered… deferred pain and all that.
retropath2 says
3rd song in and they work: first couple of songs a bit hesitant. Singer bit of a Stipe fan, methinks.
I’ve had the Boxer for years, but been ordering the cream of their back pages recently. Love it. Their curatorship of the Dead tribute did it for me, they being also the strongest performers on it.
JustB says
Kin ell, him out of the National can play the drums.
retropath2 says
They are fabulous altogether, putting my faith back into middle-aged white male librarians.
Sewer Robot says
Thought the frontman was more like the manager of Liverpool FC
retropath2 says
He’s likes a glass of wine too, it seems, a cheeky little viognier from the look.
badartdog says
man’s a machine! a soulful machine.
minibreakfast says
Is nobody watching Katy Perry on 2? She’s killing it! Couple of new songs, then straight into the hits.
JustB says
I’m coming back to it on iplayer after the National.
Moose the Mooche says
Same set as Burton Constable. She’s doing all the hippy festivals. When she goes home she’ll be doing Filmore West, maaaan.
Dave Ross says
Yes I am Mini wearing my sequin adorned skin tight body suit as type “California girls……..”
retropath2 says
Katy Perry has just tried to make a break for it, getting nearly as far as the cider bus before being brought back.
minibreakfast says
Me too!
Dave Ross says
Slipping into my Daisy Dukes now…..
minibreakfast says
*ulp*
Moose the Mooche says
Halt! I am being presented with mental images in turn alluring and revolting. Any more dissonance and my brain is going to form a free jazz combo.
minibreakfast says
Pah-p-p-parp! SCREEEEEEE!
Moose the Mooche says
Well, that’s done the trick. There’s nothing like the dread spectre of Free Jazz to affect an instant flopper.
Gatz says
Gave it three songs, then turned over to something country-ish in the red button. I’m a harsh judge.
Sewer Robot says
What the XXXX is going on with the West Holts stage? I gathered Toots didn’t make it and can believe The Avalanches are not avalable but Solange should be on by now…?
JustB says
I assumed the Avalanches thing might be about sample clearances?
Dave Ross says
Ok, so Foo Fighters are headlining tonight. No don’t stop reading, please. Drink your favourite tipple between now and 10.45, get all your family and friends around the telly and just lose yourself in Dave Grohl and the band and their songs. The best live band I’ve ever seen and I’m not a massive fan of their recorded output. They are joyous, they define why rock ‘n’ roll exists, please park your preconceptions and doubts and enjoy. This is a public service broadcast on behalf of having a fun Saturday night in, thank you for listening
retropath2 says
Hmmmm, really? Unconvinced but will give ’em a go, as me, the dogs and the pinot noir ain’t going anywhere else.
Meanwhile Songhoy Blues are on and very jolly too. Hard rock africana.
retropath2 says
Amazons. New to me. Quite lively. Unlike Misty Father John and his 70s singer songwriter schtick. Elton dun it better. Jings, Billy Joel did it better.
JustB says
Just catching up with yesterday. Really enjoyed Tove Lo. She’s new to me but right up my street.
minibreakfast says
Watching Lorde on the red button. It seems sparkly catsuits* are quite the thing this season. I might have to invest.
*autocorrected to ‘lawsuits’
Moose the Mooche says
Quite prepared to help crowdfund this.
(not the lawsuit, they have enough horsehair)
JustB says
Oooh. I’m nobody’s Foo Fighters fan but that was a belting way to open the set.
JustB says
And One By One is a CORKER. it’s a yes from me so far.
Freddy Steady says
@disappointmentbob
Been dipping in and out of ver Foo’s.
Have I missed Everlong? It’s by far their best song
JustB says
Plus it makes me happy seeing Pat Smear. I’m so glad he’s got a regular pay check.
JustB says
Dave’s hair’s quite bouffe, isn’t it? Must be humid.
minibreakfast says
Looks like Jermaine Jackson is painting some of his hair on these days.
Mics too low in the mix for the guys, but their moves and their band are top notch.
Dogbyte says
Just dipped into that, audio mix is dreadful.
MC Escher says
The cynic in me thought that was on purpose. Blame the sound for not hearing the vox, rather than hearing it clearly and hearing that all their voices are just gone.
ruff-diamond says
Nice to see Dave G back on his own two feet as well…
Gatz says
I know next to nothing about the Foo Fighters, but it doesn’t matter because they’re giving a masterclass in how to play a big festival headline slot.
Dave Ross says
This is what they do every show but you are absolutely right
Phil Pirrip says
Sorry, I gave up on the Foos after four tracks. Perhaps you need to be there. After hunting through the red button offerings to find the Jacksons for Mrs Phil I’ve happened across BadBadNotGood. From their stupid name, I was expecting noisy talentless indie kids not jazz funk and sax parping. May need further investigation.
Freddy Steady says
The Jacksons just need to play Billie Jean, silly things.
Freddy Steady says
The Foo’s doing Under Pressure and having the most fun ever. Imagine doing that in front of that many people at Glastonbury. Hats off.
Freddy Steady says
Aah. Ever long.
Blue Boy says
Not a Foo Fighters fan but yes this is consummate showmanship and a belter of a performance- hats off to Dave Grohl and the band.
JustB says
I lost interest in the FFs recorded output at album 3 – after which they kept putting out great singles which made me buy the albums only to discover they were full of stodgy filler, so I stopped bothering.
But this set was absolutely incredible.
For FF doubters, I highly recommend the second album, The Colour And The Shape. Not a weak track on it, and showcases just why they’re so huge.
salwarpe says
Just started watching – The Pretenders were my first choice. I do keep forgetting what excellent music they make – they were great.
JustB says
Cor, just catching up on Katy Perry. Absolutely fantastic. Her band are insanely good – and I want one of those silver panelled suits.
JustB says
Crowd surfing in Roar. That’s how you do it, KP. Amazing.
And she’s absolutely tiny! The security dude lifted her out of the crowd like she was 5!
minibreakfast says
And the look back she gave to the crowd as he pulled her forwards was perfectly timed.
JustB says
Enjoying the unholy racket made by Major Lazer, although a bit unclear why they’re wearing box fresh white England rugby kits. Bless them.
Sewer Robot says
I think it shows how far we’ve all come as a group that not one of us has had a pop at Jermaine Jackson’s moobs…
Moose the Mooche says
I’m not chuffin’ glass-proof…
Sewer Robot says
90% of Barry Gibb’s set is songs other bands would be thrilled to save for the encores..
JustB says
Man’s 70 and turning in an absolute blinder. *doffs sparkly disco hat*
ip33 says
It’s great stuff. The best bit is the surprised look on his face when he gets a cheer, every time!
Gatz says
At first I thought he was doing a decent job with an unsinkable set of songs, but he completely won me over as his set went on. That said, I’ve followed junglejim’s advice below and am now watching Lisa Hanigan, who is much more my usual choice.
JustB says
I love that BG now gets the props for being the absolute master he’s always been. Really moving to see his reaction to this adoration. It must’ve really hurt, all those years of being regarded as a bit naff by comparison to other songwriters who were never fit to lace his boots.
Sid Williams says
oh, I don´t think he suffered too much. He always struck me as a pretty confident bloke.
JustB says
Seeming confident is easy.
Sid Williams says
I don´t think it was an act, unless there´s some underlying problem I´m not aware of. I don´t think he / they were ever seen as really naff either, at least not that I remember (but I did grow up in Bournemouth). They were never uber cool, apart from possibly the couple of years around Saturday Night fever, but I cant remember them ever being a joke.
JustB says
Well, who knows? But you don’t have to have an “underlying problem” to be able to appear different on the outside to how you feel inside.
Re. the naff thing, they were absolutely a joke to everyone I knew growing up. My best mate used to get no end of shit for loving them. He was right.
Black Type says
Bob, I think you’re right about the perceived disrespect, and I guess that under all the fame and success, Barry’s ego is quite fragile in relation to that, as displayed most notoriously on the Clive Anderson walkout.
Kid Dynamite says
I was thinking that this afternoon. He seems pretty thin skinned, and I was so pleased for him to see that great reception after the years of mickey taking.
Sid Williams says
ah yes, but being seen as naff by someone your generation, young Robert, is probably not something he worries overly about. As someone a `cough` tad closer to his age, I always thought he was seen as being up there with the best if not always in vogue. I know they copped a bit of abuse during the worst of the hair and teeth phase, but they were never seen as lightweight. Curiously, at least in my memory, the Beach Boys were probably seen as more naff at the time and look at them now.
JustB says
Haha, I’m nearly 40 but I do like being thought of as a member of a “generation” 😉
Sid Williams says
aching face from grinning through the Chic set, just joyous.
pawsforthought says
Absolutely! Much dancing on our living room floor.
Junglejim says
Just happened upon Lisa Hannigan at The Park stage on the Red Button – utterly ignorant of her up til now. Wow! 2 songs in & I’m a fan.
Beautuful voice & mesmerising controlled power.
Sums up what is most rewarding about festivals – surprises, even if it from the sofa these days.
Locust says
Check out last year’s album At Swim, lovely stuff!
Junglejim says
I certainly will.
Thanks for the tip!
minibreakfast says
Do check out her debut album Sea Sew, it’s wonderful.
aging hippy says
And if it’s still on Youtube anywhere her version of Black Dog at a Nick Drake tribute concert is awesome.
bungliemutt says
Barry Gibb was the absolute dog’s bollocks. A very moving set of corking songs. No one else needed to bother turning up. That is all.
Black Type says
He was indeed great, but he looked awful lonely at times.
NigelT says
Had a big argument on social media about him, with people arguing that his voice is shot. Yes, not perfect, but it doesn’t matter a jot – he has some of the greatest songs ever written for fuck’s sake, so he is allowed the odd bum note!
aging hippy says
Goldfrapp were marvelous (as usual). Alison’s 51! Bloody Hell. Found out she went to the same college as me albeit about 15 years later when it had a different name ( Hornsey College of Art became Middlesex Poly, now University) and a completely different location. But hey… it’s a connection.
Phil Pirrip says
As an uncouth teenager the likes of Chic drove me to the prog side. I’m happy to say that many moons later I realised Nile Rogers’ crew are an utter joy. Party on.
Sewer Robot says
Blimey! Kane’s brought a sit-down string section and a tuba player..
retropath2 says
I went out today. No doubt the BBC will have taped it all for me. I was at my sister’s; she’s 68, and we were talking about Glastonbury. This years line up has made her want to go next year. Most of this years line up made me want to deny I had ever been, but my son let me down, reminding me we went when he was 7.
Did I miss anything?
NigelT says
Yes…you missed that there isn’t a Glasto next year!
attackdog says
Been away and just off a flight. I’ve only copped Nile & Chic but what a show. I smiled start to finish. What a showman, what a band.
Great thread. Great enthusiasm.
Gatz says
According to one of the presenters Ed Sheehan wants to win new fans tonight. I’m all ears Ed, the stage is yours. On you go. In your own time mate.
Freddy Steady says
I have to say Ed doesn’t do it for me but fair do’s, seems like a nice enough chap. Suffolk too so wins a bonus point from me.
Freddy Steady says
An Ed question. It’s only him and his acoustic guitar as the whole world knows and no backing band.
So when he stops playing and the music continues I take it it’ s backing tapes. If so, why?
Not being snarky, asking for Mrs Steady.
Kid Dynamite says
Isn’t he just building a loop with his pedalboard to begin with, and then letting that repeat? I suppose there may well be some …backups at such a high profile gig, but I see lots of people in small venues and the backrooms of pubs doing just that these days.
NigelT says
Yes indeed. I saw Warren Zevon solo in 2000 and he did exactly the same thing with rythmic loops.
Arch Stanton says
I have no idea if he’s classed as grime, garage, hip hop or whatever the kids call it but I’m rather enjoying Kano on the red button.
Gatz says
Me too. Not my thing, but I switched over from Ed and I’m surprised how much I’m enjoying him (or is Kano a them?).
badartdog says
I’m on the iPlayer. So far – Lorde by a mile. Brilliant.
Phil Pirrip says
Mystified by Mr Sheeran. I guess it is as it’s always been, amongst a group of artists using similar sounds and latterly, tech trickery there’s alway one that cruises to the surface at the expense of others. KT Tunstall and David Ford spring to mind. Good luck to him. Ride the wave and avoid the wipeout.
Meanwhile iPlayer is my friend, and First Aid Kit are the bowl of strawberries and cream brought to the barbecue.
Gatz says
Yeah, I gave half an hour which I thought was enough for a fair go. Switched to the red button for Kano. Not my thing, but surprised how much I enjoyed him (them?) and it was refreshing to see something so engaging after Ed. My viewing wound up with London Grammar, which was a pleasant, woozy, dream pop way to end the day.
Tony Japanese says
I am by myself tonight so I will be catching up on the weekends performances. I’ve already seen two (Radiohead and the local-born Temples). I have picked thirteen performances from the iPlayer that I like the look of. I am willing to be persuaded to watch more people, or ignore some of these.
In the order they appeared on the BBC page
Stormzy
XX (the Twenty)
Lorde
Barry Gibb
Declan McKenna
The National
Wild Beasts
Father John Misty
Warpaint
Laura Marling
Lemon Twigs
Margo Price
British Sea Power
Kid Dynamite says
I must check Warpaint myself. Of the ones I saw on that list, The National were excellent (OOAA but wrong), Barry Gibb was great fun, and Margo Price was good, but you could probably only watch half of it and not feel you’d missed out.
You should definitely have a look at The Flaming Lips (basically what goes on inside a four year old’s head if they have had too many E numbers in their orange squash). I also thought Run The Jewels (shouty political hiphop) were really good, as were Songhoy Blues (African rock).
Gatz says
For a bit of dancibility throw in Chic and Songhoy Blues.
retropath2 says
Let me nail my colours. I thought the best “new” band (for me) was the National. I have damn near bought em’ all out since, feeling them the natural inheritors of the R.E.M. flame. Best old band, hell, yeah, Chrissie’s Pretenders. Best not yet watched? Well, if Chic were any bit as good as ,was it 2,3 or even 4 years ago, and they may have then been Nile Rogers &, them. I can’t seem to find any existing stream, s o will have to remember the memory of that recent year, when I realised that rhythm guitar was really quite something.
retropath2 says
Well, finally sifting thru’ the i-player and have to give a howl of joy for London Grammar. Already a fan of their moody vibe, but concerned whether her voice might thin-out live. It doesn’t. (And live drums kick in after the 3rd song, OK, adding little other than visually and a drift off the beat, but, hey!)
Better than the more widely exposed XX? Equal tops for young peoples music bands at Glastonbury. This old guy likes em both. Like the look of that tent. is it the old acoustic one?
retropath2 says
If anyone wants to beef up my Any good festivals on the telly tonight thread, please go over and add, just under this phrase there duplicated.
Or here if you are here.
Thanks for reading.
retropath2 says
I’m waiting, Bob………
JustB says
All good things to those who wait, Retro!
JustB says
What a mean-spirited thread.
retropath2 says
Yay!
JustB says
For anyone who likes The Radiohead and enjoyed their Glastonbury set, allow me to recommend their TRNSMT set too, which is currently on iPlayer. Not dissimilar, but with the addition of a few songs that didn’t get an airing at Worthy Farm, notably The Bends, Reckoner and All I Need (the latter two of which are among my favourite songs by almost anyone, and the performances of which are absolutely bloody gorgeous here).