Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2014 14:47:04 GMT
this is one Glastonbury that I definitely regret missing. I've heard bits on the radio and seen bits on the BBC TV coverage that have made me squirm in frustration for not being there.
particular instances include:
Jack White on the TV Robert Plant on Johnny Walker radio show Kasabian on the TV Billy Bragg on the radio
but I hear tell of loads of lesser mortals on less prestigious stages stages that were a really good time...
Oh poo!
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Post by MikeMusic on Jun 30, 2014 14:49:40 GMT
Good ole BBC and my Tivo
Jack White - one number - BBC
Plant - 11 minutes - Tivo problem
Hope I get another chance as they both sounded good
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Post by Firebottle on Jun 30, 2014 15:02:22 GMT
Watched Robert Plant and really enjoyed it, some superb musicians with him.
Cheers, Alan
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Post by Eduardo Wobblechops on Jun 30, 2014 21:46:45 GMT
Just got back from there, had a great time. Elbow, Robert Plant were fab. We also have access to one of the backstage bars, where we saw Glen Tillbrook, The Beat and The Guns Of Navarone. All storming sets, and I much prefer the smaller more intimate gigs backstage. Always the best I see there.
A nice wee story, met a woman whilst queing at the water butt, who told me she first came in the '70's with her sons, the' 90's with her grandsons, and now with her great-grandsons. Respect!
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Barry
Rank: Trio
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Post by Barry on Jul 1, 2014 0:03:02 GMT
Glastonbury 2014 – How was it for you?
Once again, courtesy of the BBC (and of course Michael Eavis) I enjoyed this years Glastonbury – and I have to say enjoyed it more this year than I have for the last couple of years.
Clearly I wasn’t able to watch all of the acts on TV from the comfort of my armchair, but with judicious consultation of The Radio Times and with much channel hopping and the use of the “red button”, I was able to see most of the acts I wanted to see. There were some noticeable exceptions: acts I wanted to see but couldn’t, which was disappointing, but over the weekend, in the company of many bottles of good beer, I was able to follow much of Glastonbury.
The sound was provided by channelling the audio channels of my Freeview box through a Mark Levinson ML10A preamplifier, a Quad 520f power amplifier into Bowers & Wilkins DM2A speakers.
So the following is my own, very personal take on this years Glastonbury. In roughly chronological order the acts I watched/heard are as follows:
Friday
Lily Allen provided a good start to the weekend with Allen singing many of her songs off her previous albums plus material from her new recording. Very enjoyable, apart from the distraction caused by the backing dancers ‘twerking’. I have to say I was slightly disappointed by Elbow. I found their set quite average, but then I have yet to find out what everyone finds so wonderful about them. I was also disappointed with Rudimental – not really my cup of tea.
As consolation I thoroughly enjoyed Rodrigo y Gabriela. The up-beat “flamenco”-style guitarist-duo never fail to put a smile on my face, and they were excellent as always. The same could not be said for Crystal Fighter – quite tedious, so much so I actually switched channel to watch Paulo Nutini, which is saying something! Actually I enjoyed Paulo Nutini much more than I expected: he seems to have found a better outlet for his fine voice, now he has got over his previous ‘lounge lizard’ style.
Sadly, I was unable to find either Arcade Fire or Blondie on any of the channels, which was a big disappointment for me. However Haim made up for that. Having seen them on ‘Later’, I was expecting much, and indeed much was delivered. What impressed me was the originality of their work. Pop it may be, but it was “feel-good” pop and that can’t be a bad thing. Excellent!
Interpol were a group new to me. I found them to be interesting and might investigate further. I’m afraid I gave MIA short shrift, as I really don’t like rap. Another group I wanted to see was Fourtet, a sort of ‘world music meets electronica’ combination. Having heard their only recording to date, and not being able to make up my mind about them (rather like my reaction to Yeasayer), I wanted to hear more, but again I missed them! All the more disappointing as the group that was shown, Metronomy I found to be nothing more than annoying electropop.
Friday night’s viewing was rounded off with the Keiser Chiefs; who sadly in my opinion seem now to be “past their sell by date”.
Saturday
Unfortunately I missed Lana Del Rey, but was more than made up by seeing Robert Plant. Performing many of his songs as solo performer, post Zeppelin, plus some Zeppelin favourites made an excellent start to Saturday’s viewing.
However this was short lived with Jack White. Performing material from his new solo album, I thought he was awful: tedious, shapeless garage/grunge having no structure or message. Very disappointing! I used to like him when he was in the duo White Stripes, but didn’t like any thing he did after that with The Raconteurs. I expect I’m in the minority here but I found his set simply awful and only mitigated when he played some bluegrass /country which allowed the electric violinist to be heard.
Have to say I didn’t watch much of Metallica, for the simple reason I don’t much care for heavy metal.
Manic Street Preachers were more to my tastes, so to were Pixies, the latter I though to be quite good.
Jake Bugg was excellent. This young singer songwriter in the mould of Dylan has much going for him. I shall watch his career with interest. Goldfrapp showed how electropop should be done and were much better than I was expecting.
Being a bit of a boring old fart Brian Ferry was exactly what I was looking for. Singing songs from his back catalogue, both with Roxy Music and from his solo career, Ferry can still sing; though I do wonder for how much longer? Nonetheless an excellent set. His backing musicians particularly impressed me, especially the drummer.
Anna Calvi didn’t do much for me, whereas I was much more taken with John Grant. This singer/songwriter pianist is new to me and I would like to hear more.
Again MGMT did nothing for me, but I found Sean Kati (+ Egypt Bo) with their catchy African rhythms more to my taste, despite the now obligatory distracting “twerking” dancers.
Sunday
Much to my surprise I watched more of Dolly Parton than I thought I would. Country and Weson is not my thing at all: I find the lyrics mawkish and sentimental. But watching Dolly Parton I could well understand how she has become a C&W legend. She certainly knows how to put on a good performance, work the stage and work the audience.
Ed Sheeran was, for me, the acceptable sound of rap. I thought he was really good, especially when singing the Nina Simone song ‘Wo Daddy Now Have Me Good’.
The Black Keys were excellent as always. Whereas Kasabian I found disappointing (but then I have never thought much of them
The soulful crooning of Sam Smith was pleasant enough, and with time will possibly become much better. The female singer in Foxes had a good voice but didn’t seem to be distinctive enough for them to stand out. Bombay Bicycle Club a largely acoustic pop group were great fun.
Sadly three of the groups I wanted to see on Sunday, I missed (or couldn’t find). These were The Wailers (for obvious reasons), Yoko Ono Plastic Band (to see if they had improved at all) and London Grammar.
So that was Glastonbury 2014 for me. It might appear as if I was disappointed more often than not. Well if I was, performances from Robert Plant, Brain Ferry, Haim and Jake Bugg more than made up.
How was it for you?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2014 6:06:07 GMT
If you missed anything most of the sets are on BBC Iplayer. I missed Brian Ferry and Robert Plant and was able to catch up last night. Both excellent to superb. They have edited out a chunk of the Ferry set (tech problem?)losing 2/3 songs. BTW Kasabian as a headline act was a joke - they don't have a memorable tune. This spot should have been given to Elbow. Metallica are a good live act though not normally my cup of tea. The 'new' Wailers did a pretty good job of continuing the Marley legacy. Of the new artists I would suggest take a look at St Vincent. Only caught a few minutes of Lana Del Ray so she's next up on Iplayer.
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Post by MartinT on Jul 1, 2014 7:07:04 GMT
Ellie Goulding always gives an energetic performance. My tolerance for her warbling delivery is low, but she has some good songs in her arsenal. Her session is on iPlayer.
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Post by MartinT on Jul 1, 2014 7:18:33 GMT
Lana del Rey is no live performer - too nervous - but I've seen her do worse. The new album, however, is tremendous. Pretty dress!
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Post by Eduardo Wobblechops on Jul 1, 2014 9:15:32 GMT
Pretty girl!
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Post by julesd68 on Jul 1, 2014 10:05:05 GMT
Whilst I enjoy some 'heavy metal' I have never been a big fan of Metallica - however, I watched their whole show on iplayer and thoroughly enjoyed it. Great musicianship and energy.
I'll have to dig out my copy of 'Kill 'em all' for a bit of 80's thrash metal nostalgia ...
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