Glasto Round Up

After digesting some of the great performances from the weekend's festivities at Glastonbury I have to say it looked like a great festival.

Colplay's Saturday night headlining set was dazzling. An array of multicolour lighting and lazers illuminated an electrifying performance and Chris Martin's high octane energy was the stuff of a proper rock star.


Coldplay - Viva la Vida @ Glasto 2011

U2 were very good also. As they should be. A crowd that size is their forte and it showed. Just very comfortable and good.

Plan B put in a great shift, playing the whole Strickland Banks record. His voice and his band sounded great and the big man took it all in his stride.

Morrissey as I've already discussed was good. Kool and the Gang surprised me, really fun performance and their new, young singer handled the crowd extremely well.


Beyonce in all her glory

Finally, Beyonce, well... she was pretty good. I'm not her biggest fan anyway (Rihanna does it more for me in the solo female R&B category) and generally her songs get a little on my tits, but she did what she had to: entertained. At points I found the crowd-inclusive parts slightly nauseating, but nevertheless, she was good.

Coldplay were the big winners in my eyes, though. Well done boys.


Coldplay perform new song Every Teardrop is a Waterfall @ Glasto 2011

Radiohead and Pulp Play Glasto

Quelle suprise, Radiohead and Pulp have played their 'secret' (nothing is so in today's World chaps) gigs at Glastonbury Festival.

I've not had a chance to look at them yet, but will in due time and will also report on them.

BBC iPlayer had their (Pulp's) 1995 and (Radiohead's) 1997 sets respectively up all last week, this was the first hint. Then came the barrage of whistleblowing online and before long, even a marxist hippie with a severe hatred of computers and news coverage would have had half an idea (not that such a person would be seen dead at Glasto these days for £195 a pop).


The Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury

Still, it's great that there are little extras for those paying the extortionate amount to get into the mega-fest.

A Quick Note on Friday's Post

Well, there was nothing of the sort from Moz then was there. Just a really great set. His only comments on U2, in fact, were "I'll sing quickly, I know you're all waiting for U2" and "Enjoy U2 [to the crowd]".

I, personally (thank heavens for BBC iPlayer), was busy enjoying Morrissey however. Other than a poor rendition of This Charming Man (his band's, rather than his fault due to guitarists just playing the chords and none of the intricate, jangly bits) it was a fantastic gig.


The bequiffed one in all his glory

Running through hits like You Have Killed Me and a fantastic rendition of Meat is Murder (the forethought of which was provided by Moz welcoming the banning of circus animals in the U.K.) he was on top form.

Call me a dreamer, but a Smiths reunion would be nice. Just Morrissey and Marr would be fine (no Mike Joyce confrontations that way).

The Big One: Glastonbury - Morrissey and U2 Take Centre Stage

U2


Tonight will see both Morrissey and U2 take to the world-famous Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival. It is highly fitting that two of the World's most famous acts will take said stage. There may be a problem, though, as two of the most egotistical people in rock music will be taking the stage one after another, namely: Morrissey and Bono.

In the case of Morrissey, everybody knows what a cantankerous old git he can be. I do wonder what he thinks of being essentially the warm up act for the genuine headliners. I do wonder if he will, in fact, make any kind of rant on his hatred for U2 and in turn what that may provoke Bono into.


Morrisey

Morrissey is also well known for his animal rights campaigning and his overt (some might say in your face) praise of vegetarianism. Expect some kind of spout on that and be ready for some kind of Bono rant on third world problems and the like.

The main thing we can hope to expect, though, are two great performances from two truly great rock acts. And maybe a little fire-stoking from Moz, after all: that's entertainment.

Pinch Punch First of the Month

Here we go then, it's June, it's officially Summer - in the UK anyway - and there's the small matter of the World Cup. Obviously in a music blog it would be mad not to talk about festivals... so I will.

Right, why do people bother with them these days? I mean, OK, you get to see two good artists, the odd new band, whatever! Paying some horrible amount of money like £180 (about average at Glastonbury this year) for four days of overpriced beer, too many listless indie bands and, probably, wet, muddy feet. Now I reckon you could spread the £180 on three or four bands you really like in venues in any of the major cities in this country, watch a few new bands supporting or the odd old codger, have clean, dry feet and shower before each gig and in the morning, you'd still get your over-priced beer - everyone's a winner baby!

Rant over. I'm praying for some sun, but it's pissing down today in London, a fair few drinking sessions and, of course, England to win the World Cup... come on England! Sing it with me "coz I remember THREE LIONS ON A SHIRT!"