|
Leaning on the barrier at the front row of a Mcfly concert is not somewhere I ever pictured I would be, but there I was and as the trio ventured out to the tones of YMCA it was clear that I was going to enjoy it. For me Mcfly epitomise everything great about festivals. They are there to enjoy it and more to the point you’re gonna enjoy it. “Who got laid last night?” asked their bass player… |
|
Inside Cardiff's humungous Millennium Stadium you could be forgiven for thinking you'd entered the set of the new War Of The Worlds movie, albeit with 70,000 extras. An immense other-worldly structure rises up several storeys high in the centre of the stadium, with insect-like legs and a blinding array of flashing multi-coloured lights. Look down towards it's feet and four relatively tiny creatures attempt to draw your attention back towards earth level. These creatures go by the names Adam, Larry, Bono and The Edge. |
|
For me festivals fit into a number of brackets. You’ve got the raucous end of the spectrum with T in the Park – full of inebriated Scots having a ball and puking everywhere, through to the mystical Glastonbury – Hippies, circus acts and all that jazz. Weston Park's V, sits somewhere in the middle. If you had to pick one word to describe V it would be ‘nice’. The situ is great – smack bang in the middle of country, there’s a balanced mix of ‘beered-up’ revellers and families which makes for a great vibe and if the weathers good – as it was this weekend, and there’s a decent line-up (hey – it’s organised by Mr Branson – it’s gonna be a good line up!!) then you really are geared up for a ‘bostin’ weekend. |
|
Celebrating its fifth anniversary, the 2009 Bloodstock Open Air festival has gradually moved on from it’s humble beginnings as an indoor one day extravaganza and positioned itself as one of the continents leading metal weekenders. Expanding its scope from its more power-metal-centric beginnings, it now showcases renowned acts that run the gamut of heavy metals associated subgenres, yet never losing focus from it’s appeal, a kind of British Wacken if you will. |
|
Now reviewing a festival where I didn't manage to see the main headline acts Basement Jaxx, Orbital and David Byrne, might seem a bit strange but the Big Chill is a different sort of festival. I also attempted to negotiate the weekend with my two kids (aged 3 and 5) in tow. Luckily my wife was there to help on Saturday and Sunday. Actually the Big Chill is very family friendly and this is my 3rd time at the event so I knew pretty much what to expect. |
|
I managed to arrive at the Academy a little too early tonight and found myself milling around in the queue that had formed outside, with hundreds of fans all eagerly awaiting entry to the gig. Everyone seemed in good spirits and having chatted to several of the crowd there seemed to be a clear split of who people were here to see – I had guessed the majority of the crowd would be here for the headlining band but it seemed a core following of Gojira fans were here too. |
