Lowlands - Three days of music
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Artist:
I hate tents. There's nothing which makes me feel more like a city boy than two nights in a tent. Did we really evolve to come to this? But, music, yeah, go music, whoo-hoo! Firstly, the Dutch 3voor12 recorded some of the gigs in full, and there are some I know you will love. Think Arctic Monkeys, Beirut, Bloc Party, Grizzly Bear and more. You can find that here: , you can navigate on the right. This is a direct link to the Patrick Wolf gig, and if you wonder why, fast forward to the last song, a euphoric rendition of 'The Magic Position'.http://3voor12.vpro.nl/tv/#/41128679/42378354/41 So, three days of music and DJs. As to not bore you, here are summarized the highlights: The best bands of the weekend were electro-disco unit The Juan MacLean, whose 18 minute rendition of 'Happy House' was dance mania. When they built up the song for the second time massive cheers rose from behind me. Another great act was Fever Ray, aka she of The Knife. I wasn't madly in love with the album as most, but live with the costumes, the atmosphere, the professionalism: really, really tight and beautiful show. Patrick Wolf and Grizzly Bear also were very good. Some others that put on a good set were Vitalic with his electro bombast, Fanfarlo who missed some equipment and members due to a missed plane but were absolutely charming, the folky Beirut who has a surprisingly deep voice, The Whitest Boy Alive with their understated disco and curveball Chris Isaac cover, and Gang Gang Dance, who started with experimental and atmospheric electro to end the set with massively danceable tunes. Spinnerette was meh, Them Crooked Vultures (Dave Grohl, Josh Homme, John Paul Jones, and a fourth member that slipped my mind) were okay from my position outside the tent which is no place to judge, and of course some things weren't so good. Rarely did time go slower than during Vampire Weekend, whose appeal escapes me with great vigor. Reverend and the Makers consolidated their position as marginal indie pop band, and La Roux sounds like she has a permanent cold. I like some of their MySpace tunes, but new electro outfit Crystal Fighters were quite disappointing live. A lot of the tunes don't hold up, and the ones that do on paper are played poorly and lose their catchiness. Lowlands is also about night time and dancing, and especially the first night was a good one with Dutch legend Joost van Bellen, a bit of a national institution here, who also invited all kinds of people on stage, from Big Bird to artsy and genderless dancers in tight outfits vogueing. He played some danceable tunes, sometimes a bit safe. Tiga did a DJ set next, with some of his own work, but mostly it wasn't so much electroclash as it was electro-techno. But danceable as well. And now I've got an enormous cold. Blasted tents…
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Comments (6)
I haven't heard much from The Juan MacLean since Less Than Human, so the news that the new EP is smoking makes me very excited indeed. Good on you for braving the elements for the weekend. :)
Just been watching Them Crooked Vultures on the BBC's coverage of Reading/Leeds Festival. They looked like they kicked major ass as the surprise guest act. I hate tents, I always try to persuade a friend to take a van. Trouble is after the first night everyone wants in the van. Sounds like you had a ball. Beirut and Grizzly Bear would've been enough to make it a weekend worth while for me :)
I really recommend the new album of The Juan MacLean Dale, if you liked them before. Very catchy, but with interesting themes running through as well.
I was a bit bummed I was in a bad position for Them Crooked Vultures, but it got national media attention so everyone knew they were coming and wanted to take a look. Should've just watched the Reading/Leeds coverage. ;) Both Beirut and Grizzly Bear were recorded so you can check the links if you want to see their performances. :)
We caught Them Crooked Vultures at Leeds on Friday - Got quite excited - Bit of a let down - Queens of the Stoneage go Prog - Dave Grohl still looks like Animal on drums though...
Aww, too bad it was a bit of a let down. I'm sure you had a better view than me, at least you had that. :) Last time I caught QOTSA was years ago, that was superb.
Queens of the Stone Age go prog sounds like a good thing to me :)
I don't even know what camping means. No. It just doesn't exist in my universe. No!
Glad you had a good time! Vampire Weekend sound so bloody moronic, don't they?
Thanks for the report!