Berkswolf
2nd July 2002, 12:14 PM
Amazing weekend, so many people in one place all out to enjoy themselvs, what an atmosphere!
Firstly the security. Well the fence did its job with not a single jumper getting in according to the security guys, but despite the ticket/wristband/passout combination needed to get in there were plenty of people in there without wristbands! Obviously there were groups outside with a supply of these which they then sold on at reduced rates before acompanying their "customer" inside and retreiving the items to sell again. More about that in a bit.
Inside the arena offences and thefts were way down on previous years. There were plenty of problems outside though, mainly from a very determined group of scousers around a hundred strong. This group stormed one of the gates causing total closure, on another occasion they tried to ram their way in with a JCB or similar! and were also responsible for lots of muggings or attempted muggings where wristbands/passouts/tickets as well as cash were their targets. See the link with the above?
Anyways, on to the bands I saw, in order of seeing them.
Day 1
Shibusashrazu Orchestra.........Yup, I too thought who the hell are this lot. I was amazed! They are about 40 strong and there music is a very srtange blend of dance/jazz/trance/Japanese traditional music. They are also boast a mixture of dance and theatre that just has to be seen to be beleived. An incredible, start that went down an absolute storm. Go see if you get the chance.
Alabama 3.. Their country rock style got everyone moving. Good band.
Dandy Wharhols..I was really looking forward to this band but was a little disappointed. Not bad, but not great either.
Doves......Who told me not to miss this lot? Well they were dead right! Absolutely superb and one of the best of the weekend for me. I will be going to see them again for sure!
Nelly Furtado........Good but not exceptional
Then came a dillema for me. I had to choose between Ash and Mercury Rev who were on at the same time. I chose Mercury Rev and boy was I glad I did. They are Absolutely AWESOME! My find of the weekend along with The Doves. I will be out buying their records this week!
Next up for me were Faithless. Now dance is not really my sort of music, but was I surprised by this lot? They absolutely rocked the place with everyone as far as the eye could see in all directions dancing. I wont be buying their records, but I loved their live performance. Outstanding.
Last band of the day and top of the bill were Coldplay. By the time they came on I was nicely "relaxed" and looking forward to one of the bands I really wanted to see. Bit of an anticlimax really though. They played well enough, but just lacked that extra spark thats sets the very best apart from the pack. Bit disappointing.
Day 2
Late up, aching like mad from the walking and leaping about the day before meant I got in later, still saw plenty though.
Jools Holland...just what you'd expect, but not really my cup of tea.
No Doubt....despite the obvious attraction of the female lead vocalist I didn't like them at all.
Ian Brown...Absolutely awefull! What was this self opinionated, tuneless **** doing on the main stage at Glastonbury! Not a good day so far!
Starsailor.......Now this was more like it. One of the bands I really wanted to see and i wasn't disapointed. Excellent!
White Stripe.. Truly dire! God knows who booked them.
So far a VERY poor day, but next on were....The Charlatans! An awesome set from one of my fav outfits improved my moood considerably.
Stereophonics......A highly polished, very proffesional performance as you would expect. Their version of handbags made Rod Stewarts version look sad by comparison the next night.
Day three. Even later up and really feeling the pace. Missed Rolf Harris. :)
Caught Manu Chau.......not for me thanks.
Super Furry Animals pulled out and were not replaced.
Had to chose between Badly Drawn Boy and Black Rebel Motorcyle Club. I chose Badly Drawn Boy but it only took about three songs to know I had chosen badly. Very disappointed.
Rushed off to catch BRMC. Much more like it. A real good rocking set. Definately a festival Plus.
Back to the mainstage for Isaac Hayes. Not a fav of mine but did very well.
Roger Waters..Without any shadow of doubt the bet band of the whole weekend. Played a heavily Floyd orientated set including Dogs, Shine On You Crazy Diamond and Comfortably Numb. While his vocals are never very good it mattered not a fig, his lineup is just awesome! It was worth the weekends admission price just to see this, and I was right on the rails too! And whats more one of the security guys got me the setlist they used!!! Just amazing and the highlight for me.
Rod Stewart..Stayed on the front rail to watch Rod be Rod as Mrs B loves him. Played pretty much a singles set and did nowt for me. He even did Do You Think I'm Sexy for gods sake!
Well that was pretty much all the bands I saw, but I did catch a few other acts on minor stages and DJs at the very popular and always jumping Radio 1 stage which got the old boys' feet moving. The rest of the time was spent drinking, smoking and eating really. All in all a superb weekend.
Firstly the security. Well the fence did its job with not a single jumper getting in according to the security guys, but despite the ticket/wristband/passout combination needed to get in there were plenty of people in there without wristbands! Obviously there were groups outside with a supply of these which they then sold on at reduced rates before acompanying their "customer" inside and retreiving the items to sell again. More about that in a bit.
Inside the arena offences and thefts were way down on previous years. There were plenty of problems outside though, mainly from a very determined group of scousers around a hundred strong. This group stormed one of the gates causing total closure, on another occasion they tried to ram their way in with a JCB or similar! and were also responsible for lots of muggings or attempted muggings where wristbands/passouts/tickets as well as cash were their targets. See the link with the above?
Anyways, on to the bands I saw, in order of seeing them.
Day 1
Shibusashrazu Orchestra.........Yup, I too thought who the hell are this lot. I was amazed! They are about 40 strong and there music is a very srtange blend of dance/jazz/trance/Japanese traditional music. They are also boast a mixture of dance and theatre that just has to be seen to be beleived. An incredible, start that went down an absolute storm. Go see if you get the chance.
Alabama 3.. Their country rock style got everyone moving. Good band.
Dandy Wharhols..I was really looking forward to this band but was a little disappointed. Not bad, but not great either.
Doves......Who told me not to miss this lot? Well they were dead right! Absolutely superb and one of the best of the weekend for me. I will be going to see them again for sure!
Nelly Furtado........Good but not exceptional
Then came a dillema for me. I had to choose between Ash and Mercury Rev who were on at the same time. I chose Mercury Rev and boy was I glad I did. They are Absolutely AWESOME! My find of the weekend along with The Doves. I will be out buying their records this week!
Next up for me were Faithless. Now dance is not really my sort of music, but was I surprised by this lot? They absolutely rocked the place with everyone as far as the eye could see in all directions dancing. I wont be buying their records, but I loved their live performance. Outstanding.
Last band of the day and top of the bill were Coldplay. By the time they came on I was nicely "relaxed" and looking forward to one of the bands I really wanted to see. Bit of an anticlimax really though. They played well enough, but just lacked that extra spark thats sets the very best apart from the pack. Bit disappointing.
Day 2
Late up, aching like mad from the walking and leaping about the day before meant I got in later, still saw plenty though.
Jools Holland...just what you'd expect, but not really my cup of tea.
No Doubt....despite the obvious attraction of the female lead vocalist I didn't like them at all.
Ian Brown...Absolutely awefull! What was this self opinionated, tuneless **** doing on the main stage at Glastonbury! Not a good day so far!
Starsailor.......Now this was more like it. One of the bands I really wanted to see and i wasn't disapointed. Excellent!
White Stripe.. Truly dire! God knows who booked them.
So far a VERY poor day, but next on were....The Charlatans! An awesome set from one of my fav outfits improved my moood considerably.
Stereophonics......A highly polished, very proffesional performance as you would expect. Their version of handbags made Rod Stewarts version look sad by comparison the next night.
Day three. Even later up and really feeling the pace. Missed Rolf Harris. :)
Caught Manu Chau.......not for me thanks.
Super Furry Animals pulled out and were not replaced.
Had to chose between Badly Drawn Boy and Black Rebel Motorcyle Club. I chose Badly Drawn Boy but it only took about three songs to know I had chosen badly. Very disappointed.
Rushed off to catch BRMC. Much more like it. A real good rocking set. Definately a festival Plus.
Back to the mainstage for Isaac Hayes. Not a fav of mine but did very well.
Roger Waters..Without any shadow of doubt the bet band of the whole weekend. Played a heavily Floyd orientated set including Dogs, Shine On You Crazy Diamond and Comfortably Numb. While his vocals are never very good it mattered not a fig, his lineup is just awesome! It was worth the weekends admission price just to see this, and I was right on the rails too! And whats more one of the security guys got me the setlist they used!!! Just amazing and the highlight for me.
Rod Stewart..Stayed on the front rail to watch Rod be Rod as Mrs B loves him. Played pretty much a singles set and did nowt for me. He even did Do You Think I'm Sexy for gods sake!
Well that was pretty much all the bands I saw, but I did catch a few other acts on minor stages and DJs at the very popular and always jumping Radio 1 stage which got the old boys' feet moving. The rest of the time was spent drinking, smoking and eating really. All in all a superb weekend.