Well, that was a hot hot hot one! Managed one wander around the village on Thursday, but apart from that I was under my brolly on the field with several litres of water to keep me company. Highlights for me were:
Barbara - young band, very charismatic lead singer, and great songs that were a cross between Sparks and Divine Comedy
Rob Jones & The Restless Dream - cinematic America à la Springsteen
Richard Thompson - I’ve felt his last few albums were a little flat, but the songs from his forthcoming album sounded excellent
There was no one that I didn’t like, although Soft Machine aren’t really my bag.
£4 veggie burger at the cricket club with cheese and onions was great value, as was the Smac stall at £5.
The rumours around the field that Dave Gilmour was going to appear didn’t materialise, but Vikki Clayton back on stage.
+1 for Barbara, the highlight of the weekend.
Also really enjoyed The Celtic Social Club, Spooky Men, Le Vent Du Nord and Turin Brakes. But there was something to like in most of the acts.
The only act that didn't do it for me was The Haar. Not my thing at all. It was almost comical the way they said 'Here's Whisky in the Jar', sing along' and then proceeded to play something I would never have recognised if they hadn't told me the title.
Felt a bit sorry for Matt Bragg, who was on a hiding to nothing coming on as a comic in the midst of a music festival, at possibly the hottest time of the entire weekend. People just weren't in the mood, and he didn't then help himself by getting shirty with the audience. He did have a cracking gag about the Brasenose Fringe, though!
As for Fairport, they were okay, I guess. Somehow DM has become their MVP. But it all just washed over me. Can't remember ever seeing them play a festival set with not a single set of uptempo tunes in it.
