Archive for June 2011
Glastonbury, You Were Epic
I wanted to write this the moment I bundled through the flat door, it had priority over showering and changing the knickers I’d been wearing for days. However if I had followed through on this I fear it would have been the ramblings of a woman embarking on a self-inflicted, sleep deprived breakdown, ending with my tears plopping over my Macbook.
I’ve been thinking about what I would write about Glastonbury. How do you avoid sounding annoying to those who missed out or a bore to people who just don’t care? How do you sum up a festival that is going to be so uniquely different to each person who was there. Glastonbury, when embraced, becomes quite a personal experience.
I could tell you how seeing Metronomy on the Pyramid Stage on the Friday was emotional, hearing an album based on an area where I grew up on that historic stage was spine tingling for me. I could tell you I laughed until I cried at my friend’s behaviour (we decided it isn’t twitter safe so it’s definitely not blog safe to reveal details either). That Darwin Deez danced to Enya, The Spice Girls & Willow Smith (but you wouldn’t believe me right?). That despite my hesitations U2 were a festival highlight, that when I didn’t think I could dance anymore The Go! Team got me back up on my feet. That a pizza, lemonade and boy saved me from a bad hangover. That I had my wallet stolen but didn’t care as I was having such an amazing time. That in choosing to see Beyoncé I feel like I witnessed one of those historic musical performances. I could tell you that although the memories are drunkenly hazy I know I smiled like there was no tomorrow, no time constraints, no real life.
None of this really matters except to me, and those who were at my side… 170,000 of you.
We were there. ♥
NB: I was recently criticised for tweeting during a gig, but that led to contributing to The Guardian’s Glastonbury coverage. Tweeting didn’t detract from my experience at all & I just want to say thanks to the staff who gave me the opportunity to do so. Great fun!
Family Affair At Kings Of Leon
Once upon a time I walked in Woolworth’s in Paignton and picked up Kings of Leon Youth & Young Manhood based on the cover alone. Keith Richards had once said that every music lover should do that, make a blind decision and see what you discover. I’m not sure it’s so possible to do this now we’re in the age of the internet. We sometimes know too much. I still remember the first time I played it, vividly.
Last night they played an amazing set list, in spite of Caleb insisting he “sounds like a frog” and was suffering from flu (he sounded perfect). My Dad even went so far to claim that Caleb could eventually rival Springsteen as a frontman. Even though I know all their albums inside out I was still a bit stunned by their back catalogue. 25 tracks were played in total! I’m always loathe to use term ‘the band sounded so tight’. Afterall it’s their job, if they didn’t it would be like me turning up to work and not knowing how to use a computer. However, they truly did.
I went with my parents and brother. My parents are responsible for my love of music, and in their 60’s seemed to be getting a lot of attention and respect from the crowds (either that of everyone thought they were Larry Lamb & Alison Steadman who they strongly resemble). I can’t tell you how happy and proud I was to be sharing the gig with them, highlighted by people around us repeatedly telling me how amazing they both were, that they wanted to be adopted.
My only worry was when Dad disappeared for a long time. When he came back turns out he’d run into someone he had been expelled from school with 53 years ago. How they recognised one another after so many years I don’t know, but my Dad is not someone you’d forget!
Me: What did you get expelled for? Dad: Shoplifting Me: Did he get expelled for the same thing? Dad: No, that idiot took a shit in the Thames. Told him not toWhat can I say, both parents had very working class upbringings in London.
Tickets were going as little as £5 outside, perhaps Glastonbury has affected the touts business (good!) so if you’re not heading to Pilton Farm tonight and it’s easy for you to get to London it’s worth the risk even if you’re without ticket. I’m off to Glastonbury now, where I plan on little sleep, a lot of music. Very excited to contributing to The Guardian via Twitter during the festival as well. Here’s to blue skies. ♥
Kings of Leon played: Four Kicks ● Taper Jean Girl ● Pistol of Fire ● My Party ● The Immortals ● Fans ● Arizona ● Back Down South ● On Call ● McFearless ● Crawl ● The Charmer ● The Bucket ● Notion ● Closer ● Mary ● No Money ● Pyro ● California Waiting ● Molly’s Chambers ● Knocked up ● Sex On Fire ● Radioactive ● Use Somebody ● Black Thumbnail
Festival Tips
I’ve been reading various guides over the past week, increasingly as the festival to outshine all festivals draws closer. Some have offered great advice, some have offered nothing of substance whatsoever and I suspect villagers have loaned out their idiots to the media.
Below are tips that have been gleaned from personal experience or advice that’s been passed down the line from many experienced or organised festival goers. They’re all practical, if a little gross at times, and you wouldn’t have read them in the papers. Please also check out my previous blog on Festival Fashion. ♥
- For when you need the toilet in the middle of the night invest in a head torch. You’ll appreciate having both hands free, trust me
- When you’re drunk, merry and don’t want the night to end but find yourself heading back to the tent anyway now is the time to run down and fill your water bottles so you don’t waste hours in the rush during the mornings
- Men have the luxury of peeing in a bottle, us ladies get the raw deal? Wrong! An ordinary funnel used for cookery over an empty bottle makes a homemade ShePee for those of you not wanting to expose your bum to all and sundry. Great use for the middle of the night in your tent and it can be disposed of simply after
- Don’t accept medication off strangers, even a friendly nurse could be giving you LSD instead of antihistamines
- For those of you with weak stomachs suck on extra strong mints as you head in to the toilets, all you’ll smell is minty freshness even if you feel like you’re sucking on chalky grit
- Don’t underestimate the £1 shops for camping supplies. Great for batteries, ground mats, billy cans, torches.
- Attempting to remain hygienic, lots of companies will give you samples if you’re friendly enough and it saves a lot of space on packing. Kiehls have been especially generous this year
- Get a First Aid kit together, while it’s true you can buy pretty much all supplies at Festivals, basic paracetamol and plasters will cost four times the price you’ll buy in a local chemist. While hopefully everyone remains injury free hangovers and blisters are inevitable
- For those of you wanting to get some sleep (we all try to fight it but it will need to happen at some point) invest in some decent earplugs
- Line your backpack in the ultra thick bin liners you can pick up in supermarkets (the garden refuse ones are best) to help keep things waterproof. When you leave your tent chuck your sleeping bag in one of them and tie it up tightly. This was a lifesaver at Bestival one year as it was the only thing left dry in my tent after it flooded
- Take moist toilet tissue with you, closer thing to a shower I get at festivals
- A lot of emphasis is placed on taking spare batteries and solar chargers for your phone but don’t forget your cameras! You’ll want to look back at the memories you make
Glastonbury More To Watch
In an effort not to eternally procrastinate I posted Glastonbury One’s To Watch earlier. Had I given it too much thought I would have been still deciding in twenty years time, reminiscing about Glastonbury 2011. Except artists seemed to send me subliminal messages throughout the day via iPod shuffle saying “Err… you forgot about ME!”
I felt like I had to honour them and post a further 5 but I promise I will zip it after I hit publish! ♥
6. Adorable Kitty, Daisy & Lewis. I am so envious when youngsters have such an outstanding talent, this band make manufactured youth artists look like the frauds they are. Hard to think ones so young can have such an authentic vintage sound. In awe.
7. Forgive me for not remembering the name of the 6 Music DJ who said “This is the record I’ve been waiting for Patrick Wolf to make”. I’ve been sold on him since day 1 and have seen him twice. Once with a full orchestra behind him which moved me tears, more recently at The Bloomsbury Ballroom where he showcased songs from Lupercalia in ripped trousers, beating any blues he’s suffered from in the past.
8. Adorable hangover music, Caitlin Rose. I’ve been slow on the uptake here, I hold my hands up that I only recently discovered her but it was perfectly timed. Newest girl crush playing The Park this year.
9. His past two albums have proved he is still as talented as he was when he was sat next to Art. This song is one of my guilty pleasures, oh how my fingers are crossed! Paul Simon has such a huge back catalogue to choose from that spans decades.
10. I think Wild Beasts will potentially provide such magic as they play past midnight, so if you fancy an emotional moment while at Glastonbury I’d suggest seeing them, then head up to the stone circle after to contemplate life.
Glastonbury One’s To Watch
IT’S THIS WEEK! We can say that now. All us smug, lucky folk that got tickets. Wet wipes, wellies and moonshine at the ready. I’ve already blogged about Festival Fashion and Musical Snobbery, I’m stretching out the topic of my favourite festival in excitement and anticipation.
The Guardian published a great article, musicians who are playing have recommended who they think are the ones to watch. so I thought seeing as I will be contributing to The Guardians Glastonbury section via Twitter during the course of the festival I’d also throw in my pennies worth.
Of course Clashfinder is genius, and I’m quite envious of people who go with a rigid plan and stick to it. However that’s not the case with me, I appear with the best intentions but find it’s easier not to plan and see where you find yourself. If I was one of those people then these are the 5 acts I would see and nothing would stand in my way.
For those of you going have an amazing time, for music lovers that aren’t please keep an eye out for me in The Guardian. First one that spots me gets a CD compilation! ♥
1. Metronomy have been heralded across the industry and in the press as THE band of the moment, strange to think they’re on album number 3 and have suddenly been catapulted into the limelight. I’ve caught them twice this year and come hell or high water I will be at The Pyramid Stage on Friday, perfect start to the Friday.
2. Lykke Li is such a little fire cracker, adored her first album but even more in love with the second. Start to finish it’s perfect and I wonder if she realises how much her lyrics sum up a million emotions women feel, listen to Sadness Is A Blessing to sum up that still waters run deep.
3. Emmy The Great makes a perfectly timed return, I’ve been listening to the album at unhealthy times in the mornings (I have cultivated an inconvenient 5am body clock recently). I can’t picture a better song to be sat on a bin liner, cider in hand, sunglasses on, sighing in contentment. I love the lyric “If you’re an Island, I will find some meaning in the waves for you”.
4. Nothing, and I literally mean nothing, makes me happier than dancing in a field spilling drink onto my own feet. Friendly Fires are the type of band you just know will bring the sun out, like a movie moment. I think some people have found their second album less accessible than the first so in that respect I hope they play a few old favourites, like Skeleton Boy and Paris. Either way their energy will captivate, of that I am certain.
5. I recently told someone on Twitter I’d give them the price of their Anna Calvi ticket if they weren’t taken with seeing her live, I’m that confident after seeing her in Camden a few weeks back. I think she’s a rare talent, if I was in my golden years I’m sure I’d be whittling on about how they don’t make them like Dusty anymore. She’s in that vein of female artists, something aged and raw about her.
June 19th Mixtape – Guest Blog From My Dad
It’s not Bob, Mick, Keith, Scott, James or Ray who is the man most influential in my love for music. From the moment I plopped onto this planet with the umbilical cord wrapped around my neck, screaming blue murder, my Dad has been playing music to me. As a baby, when my mum would go out, the 8 tracks or LP’s would come out and with the volume up as loud as it would go my Dad would dance around with me, swinging me in his arms. I know all this because it was a constant battle between my parents, my mum thought it would damage my tiny eardrums. My ears are fine, but this early introduction to music is responsible for what is essentially the great love of my life.
It seems only right that I handed over the reigns to him for this weeks mix tape seeing as it’s Fathers Day. I asked him for a few tracks he thinks everyone should listen to as a music lover, he took it very seriously and found it nearly impossible whittling it down. Mum claimed my Dad is massively sexist for not having any female artists in his final list. Click on Spotify or the links in the blog to hear this ‘guest’ mix-tape.
Happy Fathers Day Dad – a man who has raised me to be considerate, kind, patient, interested in others and to always have a soundtrack in my life. ♥
- Gordon Lightfoot – If You Could Read My Mind
- The Kinks – Waterloo Sunset
- Sam Cooke – A Change Is Gonna Come
- The Verve – The Drugs Don’t Work
- Abraham, Martin & John – Marvin Gaye
- Tom Petty & The Heartbreak – I Won’t Back Down
- Neil Young – Rockin’ In The Free World
- James Taylor – You’ve Got A Friend
- The Who – Substitute
- The Rolling Stones – Satisfaction
- The Animals – House Of The Rising Sun
- Van Morrisson – Brown Eyed Girl
- Bob Seger – We’ve Got Tonight
- Bob Dylan – Like A Rolling Stone
Down With Music Snobbery
Glastonbury excitement has truly kicked in the past 24 hours, not just because I found a load of Berocca left over from last year so I can make morning Verocca (the liquid element being vodka), and not even because of a very exciting reason I will reveal nearer the time (mysterious moi).
The uncontrollable, hyper, catch your breath excitement kicked in when a *friend, who will be turning 40 at Glastonbury this year, emailed me. I’m paraphrasing, but the basic message was how there wasn’t that many bands he was dying to see so this year was going to be his DJ year. That he was really looking forward to it all no matter who was on and his excitement, as always, shone through.
That, my friends, is the spirit!
One thing that’s truly grated me was the kick against the headliners at Glastonbury this year, the amount of people on social networking sites alone ranting about the line up seemed at an all time high. Here is the deal, you buy a ticket not knowing who the line up is. You have the opportunity to give up your ticket through the deposit scheme once some acts are announced if you’re dead set against them. If you willingly take the risk of paying the balance and you’re then disappointed with the overall line up then there really is only one choice as I see it.
That choice being commit to a ticket, commit to FUN BAGS!!
Musical snobbery is a sad and woeful thing, we should all be able to embrace whatever tickles our ear buds. Equally we should be able to express disgust and disappointment as well, but if you’ve paid up then joy up!!
Honestly, the headliners don’t particularly get me breathless but no one is forcing me to see them. We have free will my friends, and there is more than one field at Glastonbury to express that. You can’t please all of the people all of the time, even with over sixty stages it seems! ♥
*Said friend is Irish and even he’s not bothered by U2 it seems. I have however deliberately chosen this clip from Glastonbury because I suspect a lot of people moaning about U2 were present at this moment last year and will remember it always. I’m not a U2 fan either but don’t tell me you didn’t sing along.
June 12th Mix Tape
Treble Whoop! Third Sunday and I’m still keeping this up. Of course it helps that it’s tipping it down outside & a mexican beer hangover is lurking on the peripheries so my grand plans of hitting up the vintage shops on Camden Passage have been shelved. Due to the fact I want to keep it at bay expect this weeks *playlist to suit my quiet mood. As usual click on Spotify for the playlist.
Have had a typically brilliant London week, tried out all of the cocktails at Dishoom on the Southbank, had an amazing time at the Battles gig, caught up with old work friends at my old local, my iPad arrived, I developed a new girl crush at Dr Sketchy’s on Saturday, Annette Bettie. Also my big sister survived turned 40 (even if she disappeared to the Scilly Isles to pretend it wasn’t happening). I also committed to my blog for once, all about what a difference a new boss can make, an article on ‘festival fashion’ that riled me & how I smashed my smile.
On the down side I have a paper-cut that won’t heal and as a result chilli, salt, pastel chalks & nail varnish remover have all wormed their way in there this week so expect my thumb to be amputated any day soon. ♥
Tracklist
- Q Lazarus – Goodbye Horses
- LCD Soundsystem – All My Friends
- Death Cab For Cutie – You Are A Tourist
- Caitlin Rose – Answer In One Of These Bottles
- Local Natives – Airplanes
- Sea Of Bees – Skinnybone
- Anna Calvi – First We Kiss
- Bat For Lashes – Trophy
- Wild Beasts – Albatross
- Carla Bruni – Quelqu’un M’a Dit
*I really wanted to include Arctic Monkeys, Love Is A Laserquest and Beirut, East Harlem but neither are available on spotify, I’ve been obsessively listening to both this week.
I leave you with Marcel The Shell With Shoes On which I have also been obsessed with this week.
On How I Smashed My Smile
When I was about 11 I was the proud owner of my own stereo, no longer my *Dad’s cast off stack system in the corner of the room that was the size of a chair. I finally owned a CD player, which meant I could sneak into my sister’s room and steal The Stone Roses and stop listening to my tape of Hits 5.
As the old stereo ground to a halt (after way too many sessions of me taping the top 40) I became transfixed with how it worked, I wanted to see inside the stereo in the same way a Doctor wants to know the workings of the human body and take a peek inside. So one day I went to my **Dad’s tool box and took out a spanner, with my little brother for company, I started to take the back off and got more frustrated as I could see the panel of coloured wires and circuit board but couldn’t quite get to it. I dug the screw driver deep into the back of the panel and then if flipped up. INTO MY FACE.
Smash
Plop
The plop was half my front tooth landing in my lap.
What ensued was a very disappointed mother and many many trips to the dentist to try to fix my front tooth. Nothing stuck, whatever they done just kept dropping off. Eventually, after being marched down to the surgery on enough occasions the dentist eventually got it spot on but I wasn’t keen to smile for a while. I can still hear my Mum saying “You’ve bloody ruined your smile”.
Part of me is still a little bit obsessed with demolition. It’s probably a very good thing technology has got smaller and smaller as I have no interest in destroying my iPod, and I’m too emotionally attached to my record player (also needle hits record, music plays. It’s not as mystic).
I do however find myself increasingly intrigued by mixing desks at gigs. Sometimes I end up taking more photos of that than the band I’m seeing. So many dials, lights, knobs! Look at this one, it’s my favourite! If anyone has an old one you can donate it to me, call it an experiment to see if I’ve learnt from my childhood. ♥
*My Dad still insists separate are best even though his stereo is slowly crumbling away. When my Mum suggested upgrading to an iPod and docking station recently he was very defiant and told her to “Leave it alone, it’s the only thing of mine in this house”.
**My Dad also owns the toolbox but he forgot to mention that when he ranted about his one and only possession in the house. Perhaps because I used it more to take things apart than he has ever done to fix things. It’s very rusty and dusty.
Festival Fashion Fail
I recently stumbled across a piece in The Guardian that is basically rubbish. Not something I would usually say about the paper I purchase. Someone was paid, actual money, to write a piece in The Guardian titled ‘How to stay chic after three days in a field’.
It made me irrationally mad.
It’s 16 ‘must-have’ fashion tips for any idiot out there who would rush out and purchase ‘fantastical props’ (it’s suggested an inflatable guitar is THE way to mark your campsite). I also feel the need to hulk out at the mention of adults wearing animal hoods. It actually saddens me to publicize a link for this diatribe but just so you can share my rage you can find it *here.
I am quite aware that this is basically a promotional shopping list, but I’m still clenching my fists.
The thought that going to a festival has turned into an al fresco, bumpy surfaced cat walk is laughable to anyone that attends for the very reason festivals exist (i.e. the music and acceptable to drink at 8am attitude). Anyone that does think it’s an opportunity to showcase their latest outfits are a bit silly and they deserve to attend at least one stupidly muddy, rainy, grim weather festival.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t cut arm holes out of hessian sacks and bin liners, I love to (attempt to) look good at festivals. It’s just that this particular article was so utterly lacking in any useful information I felt compelled, duty bound, to write about it. It may as well of ended on “Actually, just dress up as a big Edwardian clown, in high heels with a rain catcher strapped to your head”.
This article should have highlighted how unpredictable the English Weather is and stated the following:
- If a farmer wouldn’t buy the brand of Wellington boots you’re opting for put them back on the shelf
- If your sun-hat doesn’t provide sufficient cover for your hooter expect to be cherry red
- If an able seaman wouldn’t recommend your waterproof walk away from it
- Dress up and look amazing, but don’t expect anything to come back in mint condition
- Jeans are vile to put back on when they’re soaking wet so if weather does look bad ditch them
- Pack light, **Lolita proved you can go 5 days with one pair of shorts and two t-shirts at Glastonbury last year
- Prepare for all conditions, remain drunk, have a shit load of fun ♥
*I will defend Tatty Devine as being a wonderful however and need to point out a piece of theirs usually creeps into my wardrobe whatever the occasion.
** I must stress Lolita cultivated quite a unique smell by the Sunday afternoon, all my friends enjoyed sniffing him during MGMT. So only follow this route if you want to turn into a science experiment
From Desk Till Dawn 