Glastonbury 2009 Diary: Part 2

Glastonbury

Pilton, England

on Jun 27 2009

Jonathan Dekel (CHARTattack)

07/02/2009 2:45pm

Hospitality Campgrounds
Pilton, England
Glastonbury Festival
10:30 a.m.

I awake in a bath of warm sweat. It seems in my hurry to buy an economy tent the previous day I'd forgotten to get one with some sort of window or breeze system. The forecast once again calls for rain, and yet, judging by the 40-degree Celsius weather in this tent, the sun has once again proven the dour weatherman wrong. Small victories. I'll take 'em.

Unfortunately, since the mud from yesterday still hasn't dried, the great boots vs. running shoes debate is conceded to the Wellingtons and, since they lack any cushioning, my feet are already hurting. I decide to go with shorts to compensate (big mistake).

Other Stage
Metric
1 p.m.

The walk from the hospitality camping area to the media/VIP lounge is surprisingly far. I'm told it used to be a 60-second stroll until this year. Evidently, since the area is downhill from the stages, it would suffer from yearly mudslides. And no one likes angry, muddy media and VIP. Well, no one who runs festivals, anyway.

The media/VIP area is, however, conveniently located between the two biggest stages — the Pyramid and Other. As my rather shoddily highlighted schedule alerts me, most of the bands I'm intending on catching today are playing one or the other (no pun intended). Score.

After a hearty six-pound British breakfast (I tried to take a picture but my camera decided that it was too disgusting to even capture on digital film) I continue my patriotic duty by catching Metric.

I've never seen the band outside of Canada, or even Toronto, so I'm a bit skeptical as to how they will be received by an English audience. Will they heart Emily Haines as much as Canadians do, or will they simply see the band as a second rate Yeah Yeah Yeahs? Y'know, all the girl-fronted posturing without any of the bite?

Rather surprisingly, there's a decent turn out, especially considering they're scheduled the same time as The Big Pink — one of those British hype bands I've never heard of but seems to be all the rage with the local kids. I'm later informed the frontman is Lily Allen's A&R guy. Is being an A&R guy for a MySpace phenom what passes for hype-worthy these days?

Anyway, Metric do their Metric thing. Haines jumps up and down (I must say she's looking a bit older these days — could be the daytime show) and generally trying to hype up the crowd. Though why she keeps talking about things that are big "in Metric" is beyond me (and apparently the audience, as the between song goodwill banter seems to be going over their heads).

Some songs work, like a massive "Monster Hospital" and the live drum-bolstered "Help I'm Alive," while some, like closer "Stadium Love," fizzle with a lack of recognition.

"It's always been a dream of ours to play Glastonbury!" Haines says before Metric launch into "Gimme Sympathy." Well, dream accomplished. But maybe next time aim for a smaller stage where the band's enthusiasm could translate a bit better.

Pyramid Stage
Eagles Of Death Metal
2 p.m.

I manage to catch the last 20 minutes of the Eagles Of Death Metal's set. They're playing "Cherry Cola" (written about a high school friend who now lives in Toronto).

Lead singer Jesse Hughes's mom is here with his kid. Awww.

2.10 p.m.

The guy standing beside me asks if this is Spinal Tap. I say "Yes."

Pyramid Stage
Spinal Tap
3 p.m.

The real — well, kinda — Spinal Tap arrive onstage for the one and only show of their world tour. The guy beside me looks confused, which is really the only way you can look when you're watching Spinal Tap.

3:20 p.m.
Inflatable Stonehenge?! Midgets?! YES!!!

3:30 p.m.
Is that Jarvis Cocker playing bass on "Big Bottom"?! The post-modernism is hurting my brain.

3:40 p.m.
I realize no one I've spoken to here has seen This Is Spinal Tap. What is wrong with you people?!

Media/VIP Area
4:15 p.m.

I make my way over to the Other stage to catch Pete Doherty. As I'm walking through the intermediary area, I run into the members of Metric heading in the same direction. Haines, bottle of champagne in hand, agrees to a quick walkthrough interview...

Me: So how did it feel up there?
Haines: Amazing.

Me: You mentioned it's always been a dream of yours to play Glastonbury.
Haines: It's always been a dream of Metric to play here. But it was too sunny. We wanted it to be more muddy.

Me: Maybe next time…
Haines: People always ask us why all Canadian music is so good, and the reason is because it's so cold. Canadian music all sounds very cold. The best music is made in the cold.

Me: Well, shouldn't Greenland be making the best music then?
Haines: I just met Pete Doherty backstage.

Me: That's nice.
Haines: It was an important moment in Canadian music history.

ME: Ah, right.
Haines: Very important. I've got to go now.

With that she entered the backstage area screaming, "I'm not press! I'm not press!"

Other Stage
Peter Doherty (as billed)
4:50 p.m.

Wow, there are more people here than there were for Spinal Tap on the main stage. I suppose just because he's been bested by Amy Winehouse and Peaches Geldof as the Brit paps' new main squeeze, doesn't mean the public has lost its love for the former Libertine.

Looking a bit more fit than previous years, Doherty runs through what is ostensibly a greatest hits set. He plays several of the bigger Libertines hits alone on acoustic before bringing a full band on for some selections from the Babyshambles catalogue and a couple solo numbers. He even manages to play "For Lovers," a song he released several years back with the cleverly named Wolfman, his roommate at the time. Classy.

There are no tumbles or, if I understood him right, any slips of the tongue. Just good songwriting. This pleases the fans and angers the media. Hopefully, he'll find the time to actually make his way over to this side of the pond sometime.

Media/VIP area
5:30 p.m.

I'm thinking about heading to see The Gaslight Anthem at the John Peel Stage. However just as I'm about to head off I run into Alex Kapranos from Franz Ferdinand, an old friend from my years living in Amsterdam.

Kapranos: Hey there, Jonathan. Didn't know you'd be around.
Me: Neither did I.

Kapranos: You gonna come to the show tonight?
Me: I dunno. You're up against The Boss.

Kapranos: Yeah, but he's gonna play for four hours, I think he'll run long...
Me: Touche. Perhaps.

I make a note to go see Franz when Bruce starts getting tedious.

Now, what band was I gonna see? I forget.

Pyramid Stage
Crosby, Stills And Nash
6 p.m.

Oh man, I forgot how much I love CSN&Y, and CS&N ain't bad either. They play "Woodstock," they make old people jokes... hell, they even make some political statement about some guy who researches UFOs being deported.

Gotta love old hippies. So cute. I wonder if my friends from the train came down from the hills for this?

Pyramid Stage
Kasabian
8 p.m.

There are about twice as many people here for Kasabian as there were for CS&N. Once they get started, I understand why. Kasabian may be unremarkable on record, but large festivals are meant for non-ironic lalalas and nananas, and that seems to be Kasabian's forte.

The crowd goes ballistic for the hits and new single "Fire" — with its gospel chorus — igniting a huge dance party, while closer "L.S.F" leaves the audience singing it's gibberish chorus well after the band finish.

I also forgot how good "The Doberman" is. That Spanish horn at the end is just mind-blowing.

Pyramid Stage
Bruce Springsteen
10 p.m.

Alright, I've got a plan. Stay for the first three songs, then run off to Franz.

10:05 p.m.

Hey, it's Max Weinberg! Shouldn't he be on Conan? Is CoCo here?!

10:15 p.m.

Bruce just finished his first song. I don't remember each song being 15 minutes long?! Maybe it was just that one.

10:30 p.m.

Nope, it's all of them.

10:45 p.m.

OK, getting a bit boring now. Sorry, Boss fans.

11 p.m.

He plays "The River." It's the first song I recognize and it's a great rendition. On the screens, smoke is rising from Bruce. Smoke!

11:15 p.m.

On to Franz...

Other Stage
Franz Ferdinand
11:20 p.m.

On my way, I hear Springsteen made a cameo with The Gaslight Anthem during their set. That would have been awesome to see. Damn you, Kapranos!

I also realize Jarvis Cocker is also playing at the same timeslot. OK, OK, I'll stay till "Take Me Out," then on to Jarvis.

11:45 p.m.

Alex does a "shamon motherfuckers!" tribute to MJ, I almost forgot. They play "Take Me Out." This may be the gazzilionth time I've heard this song, but when they get past The Strokes part and into the jumpy bit, it's still irresistible.

John Peel Stage
Jarvis Cocker
Midnight

I made it for the last song! Trifecta! It's not a Pulp song, though... boo.

My feet hurt, I'm sitting down.

Pyramid Stage
Bruce Springsteen
12:15 a.m.

I've willed my way back here and lo and behold, it's all the hits!! "Born To Run," "Glory Days," "Thunder Road" and "Dancing In The Dark" to close! Worth it!

Shangi-La
DaDa Tent
African Express
2 a.m.

Acting on a tip, I make the hour long (or so it seems) trek to the afterparty area lovingly dubbed Shangi-La. Supposedly, Blur's Damon Albarn will be performing with his African Express improvisational group.

2:10 a.m.
We — the media — are ushered into the backstage and told we could get five minutes with Albarn.

2:15 a.m.
The band start playing. Still no Albarn.

2:20 a.m.
We are passed a handwritten note by the publicist:

"Damon has left. Sorry."

2:20:01 a.m.
I'm going back to my sweat lodge/tent. 'Night.