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Glastonbury Debrief

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Just watching bits of Glastonbury footage and reading recommendations and reviews on the thread I’m left feeling really optimistic about the future of mainstream music. Lots of appreciation for the old guard – veterans like The Chemical Brothers and The Cure, the Poptastic likes of Kylie and Mylie and overwhelmingly positive reviews of the likes of Stormzy, Janelle, Christine and plenty of other weirder stuff like The Comet is Coming. Not that long ago the music industry were fretting over who would take the place of established (mostly white, indie or classic rock guitar bands) and fill stadiums in the future- I really don’t think they need to worry about that now since we have clearly have tons of artists playing Grime, Pop, R&B, Jazz, Indie, rock, folk etc who can clearly mak show and get kids jumping and singing every word. Personally I’ll carry own ploughing my own music furrow – but watching Glastonbury suggests the future is in good hands, the appetite for live music is huge and it’s diversified massively and I applaud Emily Eavis & co for trying to capture that in a weekend.

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Glastonbury 2016 Live Blog

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Currently sitting on my sofa on paternity leave with my laptop plugged into the telly with the live broadcasts and a 6 day old daughter on my knee to take my mind off the depressing referendum result.

Anybody else watching the pilton pop festival today? What are you digging? What are you looking forward to? Any observations or new discoveries?

After a delayed start James were first up on the Other stage. Excellent set with a mix of new stuff and classics. “Sometimes” as always was a highlight.

Decided to check out Elle King next on the John Peel Stage. Quite an enjoyable set of bluesy pop tunes.

Now watching Rat Boy, a band I’d never heard of but it was either them or Skepta. I’m really digging Rat Boy, basically Pop Will Eat Itself/Jesus Jones with Rizzle Kicks vocals and a frontmanchild who looks like Jay from The Inbetweeners. They’re bloody ace! They’re obviously not going to be to everyones taste but I’m really enjoying them. Excellent use of Withnail and I samples too.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/events/ewcj5v/performances/lg49mb

Adele for the Top Spot at Glasto

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Shocking commercial betrayal of the grass roots principles of the fest, or the usual ‘biggest act we can get’ story? Couldn’t give a tupenny one myself, but that’s just me, and I’m kinda drunk right now (reaches for one of the two glasses he can see, misses, and wonders if it might be time for bed).

Festival packing list

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Despite having had plenty of practice over the years, I still like to be well prepared before setting off for a festival. For a few days before departure, my map library – yes, I have a room so designated – serves as a loading bay and is filled up in readiness with all the necessaries. No last minute packing for me, and anyway, it heightens the anticipation. Yet I still worry that I’ve missed an essential. Here’s the list so far.

Airbed / inflater Sleeping bag / pillows Spongebag / Drugs inc inhalers and antihistamines Table / Chairs / Gazebo / Windbreaks / Mallet Celery Salt Worcestershire Sauce Tomato Juice Peppermill Stolichnaya TICKET !!!!! never forgotten it yet, but I live in fear Lyrics for singarounds Kilts (three) x Shirts, where x = y+3z ; y being the number of days ; z being the number of ceilidhs Shreddies Kecks – long and short Wellies / dancing shoes / boots Tumblers Hipflasks (three) Mug / teabags Highland Park Old Pulteney Talisker Laphraoig Oban Scapa Jim Beam Penderyn Waterproofs Flagpoles / flags

Help me out. Have I missed anything?