3
3Chordwonder
Guest
Here goes on my review of this year's Reading weekend. Obviously I can only review the bands I actually saw...
Friday, Day 1
The Pippettes: The main stage opener always tends to be a good-time, get you dancing band (remember GLC?) Well The Pippettes were no exception, 3 cute girls in polka-dots and their band, bringing 60's girl pop up to date.
Imagine The Shangri La's on Hooch and you're close. Great harmonies and I have to admit to quite enjoying them. First cider of the day too.
Little Man Tate: Sheffield indie kids trying their best. A couple of tracks you kinda recognise but nothing massively spectacular. It just washed over me a great wave of averageness (dressed in skinny black jeans)
Gogol Bordello: You've heard them on the radio, now watch them in the flesh. NY gypsy punks with a lively set which got everyone dancing like gibbons and singing along to "Start Wearing Purple" - probably the anthem of the weekend. We are also treated to singer Eugene Hutz, banging a fire bucket with a drumstick...legendary.
The Gossip: As I can't be arsed to wander away to the tents before Jimmy Eat World, I foolishly stick around to watch The Gossip. No fat jokes needed, they are just dreadful. How in gods name do these people sell records? We are left with the image of Beth Ditto sans clothes, exiting stage left - presumably to count her royalties and tuck into another skip full of pies. Everyone with half a brain knows the the Yeah Yeah Yeahs do this sort of thing 100 times better, and with more dignity.
Jimmy Eat World: A biased review of JEW as they are one of my fav bands. They crack on with a greatest hits set (The Middle, Salt Sweat etc..) and play like their lives depend on it (something I love) Singer Jim Adkins is cheerful and chatty and they win over a sceptical crowd. I will not, however, forgive them for not playing "Kill" gits.
Maximo Park: This could have been a highlight for me as I adore Maximo Park. However, I think the soundman had gone for his tea and left the YTS lad on the desk. Paul Smith's vocals were muffled and lost and the band were no-where near loud enough. This really lowered my enjoyment level. Having said that, a great set, again packed with all the faves. Good to see Paul leaping off the drum-riser and not losing his bowler hat. They end the set with the awesome "Graffiti" and the whole site is singing.
Mad Caddies: It's at this point that I drift away from the glamour of the main stage, leaving Interpol to their gloomy Bowie-lite tunes, The Kings Of Leon to their indecipherable non-sense and Johnny Borrell to his massive ego and sh** band. I wander into the Lock-up for some top Ska-punk courtesy of The Mad Caddies. Lots of parping horns and writhing bodies (feck it's hot in here) By now, the last cider has done it's job and I feel the need to get some kip for tomorrow's mammoth day.
Band of the day? Well, I have to say that Jimmy Eat World only marginally edge out Gogol Bordello, simply because I knew every song and it's the best form I've seen them.
I will post Saturday's review later today when I return from taking Mrs 3chord shopping.
Friday, Day 1
The Pippettes: The main stage opener always tends to be a good-time, get you dancing band (remember GLC?) Well The Pippettes were no exception, 3 cute girls in polka-dots and their band, bringing 60's girl pop up to date.
Imagine The Shangri La's on Hooch and you're close. Great harmonies and I have to admit to quite enjoying them. First cider of the day too.
Little Man Tate: Sheffield indie kids trying their best. A couple of tracks you kinda recognise but nothing massively spectacular. It just washed over me a great wave of averageness (dressed in skinny black jeans)
Gogol Bordello: You've heard them on the radio, now watch them in the flesh. NY gypsy punks with a lively set which got everyone dancing like gibbons and singing along to "Start Wearing Purple" - probably the anthem of the weekend. We are also treated to singer Eugene Hutz, banging a fire bucket with a drumstick...legendary.
The Gossip: As I can't be arsed to wander away to the tents before Jimmy Eat World, I foolishly stick around to watch The Gossip. No fat jokes needed, they are just dreadful. How in gods name do these people sell records? We are left with the image of Beth Ditto sans clothes, exiting stage left - presumably to count her royalties and tuck into another skip full of pies. Everyone with half a brain knows the the Yeah Yeah Yeahs do this sort of thing 100 times better, and with more dignity.
Jimmy Eat World: A biased review of JEW as they are one of my fav bands. They crack on with a greatest hits set (The Middle, Salt Sweat etc..) and play like their lives depend on it (something I love) Singer Jim Adkins is cheerful and chatty and they win over a sceptical crowd. I will not, however, forgive them for not playing "Kill" gits.
Maximo Park: This could have been a highlight for me as I adore Maximo Park. However, I think the soundman had gone for his tea and left the YTS lad on the desk. Paul Smith's vocals were muffled and lost and the band were no-where near loud enough. This really lowered my enjoyment level. Having said that, a great set, again packed with all the faves. Good to see Paul leaping off the drum-riser and not losing his bowler hat. They end the set with the awesome "Graffiti" and the whole site is singing.
Mad Caddies: It's at this point that I drift away from the glamour of the main stage, leaving Interpol to their gloomy Bowie-lite tunes, The Kings Of Leon to their indecipherable non-sense and Johnny Borrell to his massive ego and sh** band. I wander into the Lock-up for some top Ska-punk courtesy of The Mad Caddies. Lots of parping horns and writhing bodies (feck it's hot in here) By now, the last cider has done it's job and I feel the need to get some kip for tomorrow's mammoth day.
Band of the day? Well, I have to say that Jimmy Eat World only marginally edge out Gogol Bordello, simply because I knew every song and it's the best form I've seen them.
I will post Saturday's review later today when I return from taking Mrs 3chord shopping.
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