Glastonbury 2009
Back from a lovely Glastonbury. A few pics posted below. I was playing double bass with Bath Tub Ceilidh on the Blazing Saddles Stage in the Theatre field. The 11 am slot was a good one to get to see some of the big attractions. On Friday night I caught the end of Lily Allen’s set which had a great energy, presence and charm. Then it was The Specials who were great, solid and relevant as well as nostalgic. Personally I reckon Ghost Town could be Number One right now. Then it was Neil Young. I must say the highlight of his set for me, was using the She-Pee urinal for the first time. After that I retreated to the sidelines at the edge of the feild at the Solidarity Bar Pub Garden where I was much happier observing the Reverence of a Legend, I actually had a better view being a shortarse. He was quite funny. One big Rock n Roll Ending. Apparently he invented that stuff so fair play, but Ok. The songs seemed to be padding for increasingly indulgent cadences and after the 4th False ending (don’t forget how long these endings are) before reprising “Keep on Rockin in the Free World”, it was beyond a joke.
Spinal Tap missed a trick on that front I feel. It was a gift to have the Pyramid stage as a setting to their particular Comedy Act. Only occasionally did they venture into the nonsense their characters are capable of. The Intro to Stonehenge for example. That was what we (I?) wanted. Without the comedy it’s just Bad Rock. I liked their new Global Warming Song which was very well timed as the sun came through. Just disappointing that they didn’t embrace their own cartoons and play with the fans that were up for playing.
Tom Jones amply filled the space though he seemed a bit unhappy about the lack of volume. He gave a good sing along and held a strong charismatic performance. I think my favourite gig was Madness. Where better than Glastonbury? – where the atmosphere is such friendly up-for-it fun. It was touching in places too all with a wink and a silly dance and lyrics it seems that everyone can sing along to. So nostalgic too.
I stayed for first 2 or 3 mins of Bruce Springsteen and really wasn’t interested and went and saw a fantastic fire show instead.
