Music writer, Jennifer McKean, was reporting for VB at Bestival 2011. Today sees the first in her three part series. As we all know, music is a very personal and subjective thing and what follows are Jennifer’s own views. Ed
All festivals should start how this year’s Bestival did: With unequivocally monstrous weather.
If you’ve got the sheer will and determination to retrieve your tent blown two fields away, heave cider crates through miles of mud and wring the rain out of your roll mats, then step right this way.
Had the Isle of Wight Festival by the knackers
The storm was such a test for the campers it wouldn’t have been surprising to see the fourth horseman of the apocalypse packing his pop-up tent and turning back for the shuttle bus.
But those who toughed it out were to reap rewards untold – this year’s spectacular line-up truly had the Isle of Wight Festival by the knackers.
From The Cure to Coxon, Brian Wilson to Bjork, our Rob had been a right busy bee, billing a whole host of whoppers and breakthrough acts.
There are few things that can set the tone early to the remainder of a festival. Food poisoning and port-a-loo dysentery are examples of this. But a positive illustration was midday Friday, where Beardyman‘s fifth Bestival appearance drew around 20,000 towards the main stage as the sun made its first fleeting cameo.
Throughout the set, the beatboxer’s ability to dazzle the crowd whilst mocking his own nerdy genius encouraged everyone to let loose and get involved.
Good vibrations?
Soon enough, the pac-a-macs were strewn away in favour of Hawaiian shorts – it was Brian Wilson’s time to return to the spotlight.
Looking drained and frail, the frontman could barely muster a breath as his backing band belted out the majority of his set for him.
Nevertheless, nostalgia value drove the crowd feral with affection.
No doubt Wilson envisaged a mosh pit forming for ‘Sloop John B’ when writing Pet Sounds. “Now we’re going to play a song with no words at all!” he exclaims with relief. Planned or pooped? Rumoured to be one of his last ever UK dates, perhaps it’s time for this Beach Boy to start looking at Sandals holidays instead.
As the evening drew cooler, what better way to warm your wellies than a hearty skank to the ultimate 2 Tone band The Selecter?
Thirty years since their formation, anticipation was unbearable.
No sign of Pauline
One highly strung young fellow bounded up to the mic. Stage invader, perhaps. “I better get this right,” he gushed, and launched into ‘Too Much Pressure’.
Where was Pauline Black, iconic female face and voice of British ska revival? This was all so wrong. Imagine waiting yonks to see one of your all-time heroes, until – ‘Sorry, she’s not here tonight but Nigel from down the road said he’d fill in when he gets off work.’
Not quite true, for it was in fact vocalist John Gibbons of (original guitarist) Neol Davies’ band of the same name and credit to them, this was a billing faux pas on Bestival’s part. Nonetheless, ‘On My Radio’ and ‘Missing Words’ just aren’t the same without the rudegirl’s memorable cockney vocals.
Tune in tomorrow to see the next part in Jennifer’s Bestival 2012 review.
Image: © Welcome and Brian Wilson used with permission of Bestival: Andrew Whitton. All other images © Jennifer McKean
