01.00: The past few days may have been paced akin to a marathon, but even a sprint in wellies through the Magic Meadow does not allow a timely arrival at the Big Top for Primal Scream. They are performing Screamadelica in its entirety to celebrate the album's 21st anniversary, and an extract of 'Movin' on Up' - my second favourite song off the album - is enough to satisfy any thirst for house/indie-rock crossovers. As an aside, Bobby Gillespie is looking sharp tonight in a grey suit and red shirt. KG
01.15 Just down the road from the Sailor Jerry's tent, Dutch Uncles take to the Sailor Jerry's stage for a headlining set to shouts of "LADS!" and "SPED!" (directed at one of the band's two guitarists).
The band are on the best live form I've seen them in for a while, reflected by a furious version of 'Cadenza', a speaker-rattling rendition of 'Face In' and a welcome return for first album track 'Doppelganger', which I've not heard in ages. There's drama as a clash of heads leads Duncan to declare "I think Pete's broken my nose!" at one point, and, as always, the audience bays for 'Steadycam'. One day... KG
02.00 Time for another end-to-end dash across the site ahead of Metronomy's late show at the Psychedelic Worm, leaving a large audience boogieing along to Dutch Uncles. The return journey past the Big Top is impeccably timed, again, as they're now playing my favourite track from Screamadelica (that'd be 'Loaded', then). KG
02.10: Inevitably, the aforementioned mad dash almost ends in tears in Green Camping as I slip and fall on top of someone's (destroyed) tent. The people who scooped me up and asked if I'd broken anything were a little perplexed with the response "I'd better not have bloody broken my camera", firing it into the air for test shots to check. KG
02.25: Have been refused entry to the photo pit for reasons unknown and the tent is so packed that people are pulling up the canvas at the side of the stage just so they can see... a tent full of people and a row of speakers, and perhaps one of Metronomy if they wander really close to the edge of the stage or jump into the crowd (this does not happen). Perhaps the two are linked? KG
02.28: Bright side of being on the barrier and not in the photo pit - chatting to two lovely girls (one on either side) at the barrier, both of whom are adamant that Metronomy will provoke some sort of conversion in your editor's attitude from 'mild indifference' to 'rabid fandom' during the next 45 minutes. I respectfully disagree, but admit to a sense of curiosity at wanting to establish just what all the fuss is about. KG
03.15: Oh wow. Seriously. W-O-W. That was actually brilliant. Metronomy have just proved that the old adage 'if a band sound dull on record, go and see them live because it'll all make sense' is totally correct. It's Joe Mount's birthday today, and perhaps that's put the band in such a buoyant mood.
The turning point comes courtesy of one man - bass player Gbenga Adelekan. By Jove, he's good. Really, really good - particularly on 'Holiday' and 'The Bay'. 'The Look's infectious synth parps have the whole tent grooving, and those who know the words singing along, and the level of crowd fervour only grows as the band finish up with 'Radio Ladio '. Joe even politely addresses the crowd as "ladies" and "gentlemen" when getting them to perform that age-old trick of shouting louder than the other gender. How genteel. Motelvision nominees in 2008, it's taken three years to fall in line with a considerable majority of contributors. KG
03.20: Turning in for the night - and about time too - it's just started raining, and it's stupidly windy. KG
11.00: The phrase 'blowing a gale' was definitely redefined last night. The surrounding tents are all still standing, although a trip through Camp Winehouse (our campsite hub has a painting of a silhouetted Amy on top with the words "I go back to black" alongside it) reveals that unfortunately, not all punters were so lucky. KG
11.40: The sole disappointment at Bestival this year has been a lack of the customary amusing overheard quotations. However, this morning's toilet, toothbrushing and tea queues more than make up for it as the following gems are uttered in the space of 20 minutes...
1. "Do you know what I really like, that elderflower presse." - A sign of good (if somewhat expensive) taste.
2. A girl gossiping to her mate about a friend's (male) lover who has apparently been described as 'quite conservative' in the bedroom. This was, said friend had claimed, in sharp contrast to the poor gentleman's public persona.
3. "There's a serious clash with Mr Motivator" - Cor blimey.
4. "Do you do a Gillian McKeith each morning?" - Followed by extremely detailed criteria which one should never have to overhear.
KG
12.40: A little late for Two Wounded Birds at the Psychedelic Worm, but still well worth catching them all the same. They aren't quite as enchanting live yet as they are on record, but they are still relatively new and make up for it in part with buckets of charisma and a light dusting of dry ice. 'Midnight Wave's Pulp Fiction-esque melodic minor key jangle is fanbloodytastic, and forthcoming single 'Together Forever' is a classic rock thrash-through in the vein of their previous releases. KG
14.10: Most improved live act of the past couple of years? Almost certainly The Drums, if today's evidence is anything to go by. They were entertaining at a characteristically sweaty Night and Day Cafe during In the City in 2009. It felt like the whole music industry had turned out to see them, and while they evidently had live prowess then, it felt like there was something missing. Perhaps all that was missing was time and experience - and a blinding second album which owes so much to The Smiths that you kind of have to stop yourself from singing the words "# Punctured bicycle/On a hillside, desolate #' at inappropriate moments during 'Money'.
There's no 'Let's Go Surfing' - which comes as a bit of a shock - but there's still plenty of earlier tracks, with I Need Fun in my Life and Forever and Ever Amen clear highlights at the set's centrepiece. Jonathan Pierce swaggers around the stage in a way that he couldn't do at ITC due to lack of space (although he did his best), and Jacob Graham - who looks especially like a young Roddy Woomble of Idlewild today - gives it some on the guitar. KG
15.20: Would it be inappropriate ask the milkshake stand by the Big Top whether they have experienced an increase in sales while Kelis is on the Main Stage? KG
15.22: Yes, it probably would. It would also probably be inappropriate to hang around listening to Kelis on this basis. Not enjoying it. She's too shouty today. KG
15.30: Time for a carefree stroll around the Fire Field, taking pictures and hanging around at a stage called The People's Frontroom, where there are people making like The Kinks suggested back in the day and enjoying a lazy Sunday with acoustic guitars, quaint songs and comfortable sofas. There's also a dismembered doll in a birdcage hanging up at the entrance. Oh, come on, it's Bestival! You can never say you've seen everything here. KG
words: Shaun Curran, Kate Goodacre and Benjamin Thomas
images: Kate Goodacre
Established in 2007, The Fugitive Motel is a collective webzine run by passionate, informed people who care about their music and popular culture. We try not to discriminate by genre or, indeed, anything else - we only care about whether your music is good or not. Our contributors are split between Manchester and London, two of the UK's most creative cities.
Bestival 2011 Clockwatch: Sunday, September 11, Part 1
>> Bestival 2011 - Complete coverage index <<
01.00: The past few days may have been paced akin to a marathon, but even a sprint in wellies through the Magic Meadow does not allow a timely arrival at the Big Top for Primal Scream. They are performing Screamadelica in its entirety to celebrate the album's 21st anniversary, and an extract of 'Movin' on Up' - my second favourite song off the album - is enough to satisfy any thirst for house/indie-rock crossovers. As an aside, Bobby Gillespie is looking sharp tonight in a grey suit and red shirt. KG
01.15 Just down the road from the Sailor Jerry's tent, Dutch Uncles take to the Sailor Jerry's stage for a headlining set to shouts of "LADS!" and "SPED!" (directed at one of the band's two guitarists).
The band are on the best live form I've seen them in for a while, reflected by a furious version of 'Cadenza', a speaker-rattling rendition of 'Face In' and a welcome return for first album track 'Doppelganger', which I've not heard in ages. There's drama as a clash of heads leads Duncan to declare "I think Pete's broken my nose!" at one point, and, as always, the audience bays for 'Steadycam'. One day... KG
02.00 Time for another end-to-end dash across the site ahead of Metronomy's late show at the Psychedelic Worm, leaving a large audience boogieing along to Dutch Uncles. The return journey past the Big Top is impeccably timed, again, as they're now playing my favourite track from Screamadelica (that'd be 'Loaded', then). KG
02.10: Inevitably, the aforementioned mad dash almost ends in tears in Green Camping as I slip and fall on top of someone's (destroyed) tent. The people who scooped me up and asked if I'd broken anything were a little perplexed with the response "I'd better not have bloody broken my camera", firing it into the air for test shots to check. KG
02.25: Have been refused entry to the photo pit for reasons unknown and the tent is so packed that people are pulling up the canvas at the side of the stage just so they can see... a tent full of people and a row of speakers, and perhaps one of Metronomy if they wander really close to the edge of the stage or jump into the crowd (this does not happen). Perhaps the two are linked? KG
02.28: Bright side of being on the barrier and not in the photo pit - chatting to two lovely girls (one on either side) at the barrier, both of whom are adamant that Metronomy will provoke some sort of conversion in your editor's attitude from 'mild indifference' to 'rabid fandom' during the next 45 minutes. I respectfully disagree, but admit to a sense of curiosity at wanting to establish just what all the fuss is about. KG
03.15: Oh wow. Seriously. W-O-W. That was actually brilliant. Metronomy have just proved that the old adage 'if a band sound dull on record, go and see them live because it'll all make sense' is totally correct. It's Joe Mount's birthday today, and perhaps that's put the band in such a buoyant mood.
The turning point comes courtesy of one man - bass player Gbenga Adelekan. By Jove, he's good. Really, really good - particularly on 'Holiday' and 'The Bay'. 'The Look's infectious synth parps have the whole tent grooving, and those who know the words singing along, and the level of crowd fervour only grows as the band finish up with 'Radio Ladio '. Joe even politely addresses the crowd as "ladies" and "gentlemen" when getting them to perform that age-old trick of shouting louder than the other gender. How genteel. Motelvision nominees in 2008, it's taken three years to fall in line with a considerable majority of contributors. KG
03.20: Turning in for the night - and about time too - it's just started raining, and it's stupidly windy. KG
11.00: The phrase 'blowing a gale' was definitely redefined last night. The surrounding tents are all still standing, although a trip through Camp Winehouse (our campsite hub has a painting of a silhouetted Amy on top with the words "I go back to black" alongside it) reveals that unfortunately, not all punters were so lucky. KG
11.40: The sole disappointment at Bestival this year has been a lack of the customary amusing overheard quotations. However, this morning's toilet, toothbrushing and tea queues more than make up for it as the following gems are uttered in the space of 20 minutes...
1. "Do you know what I really like, that elderflower presse." - A sign of good (if somewhat expensive) taste.
2. A girl gossiping to her mate about a friend's (male) lover who has apparently been described as 'quite conservative' in the bedroom. This was, said friend had claimed, in sharp contrast to the poor gentleman's public persona.
3. "There's a serious clash with Mr Motivator" - Cor blimey.
4. "Do you do a Gillian McKeith each morning?" - Followed by extremely detailed criteria which one should never have to overhear.
KG
12.40: A little late for Two Wounded Birds at the Psychedelic Worm, but still well worth catching them all the same. They aren't quite as enchanting live yet as they are on record, but they are still relatively new and make up for it in part with buckets of charisma and a light dusting of dry ice. 'Midnight Wave's Pulp Fiction-esque melodic minor key jangle is fanbloodytastic, and forthcoming single 'Together Forever' is a classic rock thrash-through in the vein of their previous releases. KG
14.10: Most improved live act of the past couple of years? Almost certainly The Drums, if today's evidence is anything to go by. They were entertaining at a characteristically sweaty Night and Day Cafe during In the City in 2009. It felt like the whole music industry had turned out to see them, and while they evidently had live prowess then, it felt like there was something missing. Perhaps all that was missing was time and experience - and a blinding second album which owes so much to The Smiths that you kind of have to stop yourself from singing the words "# Punctured bicycle/On a hillside, desolate #' at inappropriate moments during 'Money'.
There's no 'Let's Go Surfing' - which comes as a bit of a shock - but there's still plenty of earlier tracks, with I Need Fun in my Life and Forever and Ever Amen clear highlights at the set's centrepiece. Jonathan Pierce swaggers around the stage in a way that he couldn't do at ITC due to lack of space (although he did his best), and Jacob Graham - who looks especially like a young Roddy Woomble of Idlewild today - gives it some on the guitar. KG
15.20: Would it be inappropriate ask the milkshake stand by the Big Top whether they have experienced an increase in sales while Kelis is on the Main Stage? KG
15.22: Yes, it probably would. It would also probably be inappropriate to hang around listening to Kelis on this basis. Not enjoying it. She's too shouty today. KG
15.30: Time for a carefree stroll around the Fire Field, taking pictures and hanging around at a stage called The People's Frontroom, where there are people making like The Kinks suggested back in the day and enjoying a lazy Sunday with acoustic guitars, quaint songs and comfortable sofas. There's also a dismembered doll in a birdcage hanging up at the entrance. Oh, come on, it's Bestival! You can never say you've seen everything here. KG
words: Shaun Curran, Kate Goodacre and Benjamin Thomas
images: Kate Goodacre
www.bestival.net
@bestival
@robdabank
Share: