My interview with lead vocalist & guitarist Ryan Jarman & pics with the band will be posted this week.

In the meantime here’s a review.

I’ve been following The Cribs since ’05 New Fellas CD (great classic Cribs guitar rock except last 2 songs or so). Saw them in UK in ’07 (this is what I talk to Ryan about at the beginning of the interview -coming soon) and they were cray-z. Lying on the ground, while spinning around on their hips; extended crowd surfing — both of these were really missing at the TO show save a couple of short lean in to the crowd by Ryan) and just no mercy for their guits. If I remember correctly, one of them even broke a string.

This time at Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto, while still full-on energy, improved vocals, and of course the addition of the talented o so cool-lean-back-old-style-mancunian Johnny Marr (a bit more guitar never hurt anyone ), I didn’t *quite get my ‘craziness’ fill.

But for $20 and the opportunity to see a legend (the Smiths’ guitarist Marr) and, to hear played live a whole new CD’s worth of music (their best one yet), it was well worth the admission price. They played tracks from all albums with emphasis on the most recent.

Phoenix was full (sold out?) but there was breathing room at the back which still offered a great view. The lack of Encore was quiky (and missed) and people hanging around afterwards had differing opinions on which parts of the show held up best.

FYI Here’s another good review

http://www.chromewaves.net/2010/01/the-cribs-at-the-phoenix-in-toronto/

Tickets
My Interview with La Roux
La Roux pics
La Roux at Bestival Festival

My interview with Ed, Friendly Fires’ lead singer http://taraoweb.com/blog/interviews

My review of XX album http://taraoweb.com/blog/2009/09/cd-review-the-xx-xx/

—————————-

My radio station (chuo.fm) will be presenting this concert….

http://www.last.fm/event/1293254+La+Roux+at+The+New+Capital+Music+Hall+on+6+February+2010

I’ll interview Ella.  Any questions  you’d like me to ask for the interview?

Short version: It’s a 3day music festival with about 300 artists, 17 stages, where people can also dress up and not be laughed at). It takes place on the Isle of Wight, a large island south of England.

Long version: It’s won the Medium size festival award for 2? years now. Had 43,000 people attending this year. It’s eco-friendly (eg recycling, they hand out ashtrays). There’s so much music(till 12p-3am)/acts/things to do (incl. comedy, various DJs, learn to dance, …) you’d never see everything even if you tripled yourself. It’s dress-up with different annual themes. This year was space (see pics below for costumes). There’s a contest for best dress-up with the winner picked by Lily Allen winning free festival tkts. It’s also special cause it’s the last fest of season.

If you never watched any music you could still spend all your time: going on rides (ferris wheel), parading around in your space alien outfit, sit back/eat some fish chips& mushy peas (why dont we have these in Canada?) or some great cornish pasties and watch the costumes stroll down the esplanade, play games, dress up and get ‘married’ at the blow up church, hang out at the Bestival radio station & listen to tunes, dress up and parade a runway, learn how to spacewalk, DJ a set, shop for vintage/2nd hand clothes, ride a bicycle to charge your cellphone, take dance lessons, hang out with your tent neighbors, drink/eat from the many offerings, play Beatles Rockband, look at displays, buy local foods (clotted cream &scones!), meet people from England & Australia like we did, and just generally wander the 8?Km square of land exploring the different zones/themes set up, and more. It’s also unique in being kid-friendly with kid activities and a ‘quiet’ and family tent zones.

Festival Map

Tara O. Pics of Bestival (the Grounds, people, costumes…) :

Bestival Festival (Sep 10-14, 2009)

BBC’s summary of Bestival

From the site … “Our Outer Space fancy dress theme was so popular that in the pre-festival frenzy there was no tinfoil left on the Isle of Wight and the local B&Q had completely sold out of Altern8 style boilers suits, art shops as far away as London struggled to meet the demand for silver paint and there were record breaking queues in fancy dress shops across the country.” I believe it.

Getting there:

From Heathrow bused 45min to Woking, caught a 1.5h train to Portsmouth, and even though you can sign up to swim to the island we took the 25min ferry to Isle of Wight, 20min walk down boardwalk to the Isle, 20min bus ride to the festival town on the Isle, 1.5km walk from festival gates to the tent. And this doesn’t include allll the longgg queues almost every step of the way (but hey, you get to meet some fun people – and some cranky people!). All in all, it was a 6hr flight + 12 more hours till we arrive at the tent (thank you Tangerine Fields for renting them), only to feel my back land lightly to the ground as the air mattress was insufficiently inflated (i withdraw my thank you Tangerine Fields as re-inflating became a daily issue). So up again, and off to find air. Once unpacked the sun was starting to set so it was important to go explore as the Festival Day 1 would be underway tomorrow. And hell, I could sleep all night …so what’s the big deal?

Post exploration finally meant sleep. Or so I thought. Apparantly a group decided to park on our Tangerine land and talked/fought/joked ALL night (i don’t say this as an expression). At times it was humourous but all n all sleep would’ve been preferred. People around had tried in vain to quiet them, security came by at unfortunately the worst time – when they were being rather quiet …so we all stuck it out. I could only conclude they were on E or something cause yak yak yak and boy they werent shy about what they said. But I figured they’d stop eventually, and when they did I’d get a good 6hrs in. Finally around 6am they, and the other 10 tents around them fell off to sleep. Surprise! We were all rewoken around 9am when the group decided it was time to wake up and start jabbering again. Tangerine Fields was advised in the morning and by nighttime of day 1, we came back to find their tent gone (security had binned it halleluyah) and had the 1st good sleep in over 2 days. But I was at a UK festival and cranked to be there.. somehow my body hardly noticed….

DAY 1 – Friday Sep 11

So fresh as a daisy off we went to start the day! Caught the Acorn (how ironic I fly all the way to England and the 1st band I see is Canadian – and in fact the lead (Rolf) used to work at the radio station when I first started. Also caught Passion Pit – had heard Brits liked them and the festival proved it. Then onto Maps in one of many DJ tents. The rest of the late afternoon/evening was devoted to Friendly Fires, Florence, and Soulwax. Wanted to see Massive Attack but my massive lack of sleep had turned me into an octogenarian and by 10pm my body was finally crashing hard.arghhh! Too bad, the next day tent neighbors said they put on a wicked show, with an oustanding Teardrop. ..almost made me cry

Maps –
Pics:

Bestival Performances – Tara O. Bjorn Again, Maps, Carl Cox, Jack Penate, Passion Pit, Joe Gideon Pi

James Chapman is Maps. ambiant electro is his thing. We Can Create in 2007 is a great piece of work and he just released Turning the Mind, which, probably due to my heightened expectations meant I don’t find it quite as good as the ’07. ahh human nature..
It was the 1st artist to see in the Big Top and the afternoon mood was relaxed and there were some gaps of space so I even managed to wander up to the front, almost center. There’s where you found the Maps’ …headbangers for lack of a better term. The frontliners were going nuts. Good for them!

Passion Pit, Jack Penate (vid), Joe Gideon & the Shark -
Pics & Vids (note: Vids best viewed not sitting too close to screen):

Bestival Performances – Tara O. Bjorn Again, Maps, Carl Cox, Jack Penate, Passion Pit, Joe Gideon Pi

Friendly Fires
Pics:

Friendly Fires (Bestival 2009 Pics)

what can I say… Ed swings his hips and dances everywhere, (and nicely dressed in his pressed shirt & pants (not capris)..but what was with that pant hem? a few inches too high perhaps? sorry, this IS a music blog but woah – somebody give that boy some fashion help. all I can say is ummm he’s got nice ankles…. ??
The music was good… we’ve all seen them so nothing new to say here. We actually spent most of their show chatting with some people and listening to them in the background (how spoiled is that! . Ed did look a little ..red eyed (hey, i have a zoom lens) — maybe he was hung over and didnt realize the pant thing? yes. i’m still stuck on that… 7/10

Florence -
Pics & Vid (note: Vid best viewed not sitting too close to screen):

Florence (Bestival 2009 Vid & Pics)

Florence, Florence – I wanted an interview but that… that bitch! (i say that in the most loving way She was too popular for me so no dice. (Redemption: she’s in Canada in Nov. and I will laud praise then) I’ve been listening /playing Florence for months now and she was probably *the act I was most looking forward to. A big fan? a-hmm. She & her band were all dressed up (Space was this year’s dress-up theme) just as she’d promised in a Reading video. How did her hard working drummer manage to not pass out covered in that aluminum space suit?? She sang….fairrly well but wait – Lungs ..that’s the name of the CD – and I’ve heard you (on live vids) belt it out live like crazy ..but florence I’m not feeling that same Glasto,Reading energy. It was good but Lily (day 2) kicked her ass in the entertainment & vocal department. But yes, I’m still a big fan. Canada needs to hear you though. She sang all the big ones off Lungs, ending with You got the Love – which everyone loved. Sorry such limited video. Sometimes I didnt think of it but here I was probably just too captivated. 7.5/10 (bonus .5 for the space outfit so 8/10)

Soulwax -
Pics:

Soulwax (Tara O. Bestival 2009 Pics)

this was a treat. Two Belgian DJs i’ve admired for many yrs … i’m getting to see in person. (almost worth my no sleep lifestyle). They put on a great show on the main stage. They look kinda boring onstage and if you were to cross them in the street you wouldnt look twice but lots of creativity going on in the 12” between them. (i’m referring to each of their 6” of brain!). 7.5/10

WRAP-UP DAY 1

So it doesn’t seem like much of a day but time flies and during all this you’re busy standing in food or bathroom lines (I didnt discover the no-lines-at the port-a-potties for-media folks until day 2!) or walking around exploring what we’d seen as night was falling the evening before – but now in the light of day and with 1000s of people wandering around too, visiting the many new event tents that had popped up overnight.

The weather was wonderful. Sunny with some wind so no one passed out. likely. The port-a-potties were still clean (the best ones were near my tent site – these really big ones with tons of paper – never seen the likes of at a festival. why there werent line ups galore for this place was beyond me but i wasnt telling!) and the good thing (?) about H1N1 on the scene is all stops now had that sanitizer liquid – though it was rationing out on day 3… yeah sure, let us die JUST before we go home people!! I may joke but each year all UK festivals vie for awards and there IS one for best toilets … i just might vote!

I wasn’t thrilled about paying L8 for the music schedule – considering I’d paid a ton in time & money & ticket (L140) just to get there and was doing media/promotion for them, and the exchange rate is 1.85. Thankfully I found the schedule in the media tent on day 2 when it was time to go interview the Golden Silvers around lunch.

DAY 2 – Sat Sep 12

This was probably overall the most fun day – cause while some people wear their outfits all weekend, *this is the big day wehre everyone officially pulls out their costume and parades around. And it was ah-nother beautiful day weather-wise so the sun shone,reflected off the costumes and no one had to hide their works of art under sweaters etc.

We were hoping the festival organizers would`ve somehow improved conditions for taking pics in the pit (eg, moved the bands’ standing position closer to the front (you`ll notice it`s hard to get drummers in any pics as they were always wayyy back of the stage) but it wasn’t to change throughout. Some pics are better cause they’re taken standing on a small stool.

Golden Silvers – Golden Silvers Interview & Pics

The show started late and so so did my interview. Thankfully I had booked interview time before leaving cause boy, once there, UK media really wanted to meet with them and I wouldnt have stood a chance. But I was first in line Sorry about the sound quality of the interview- the media tent (why do they always do this? i mean i understand logistically but …) the tent was RighT next to the main stage so you hear the bass from a band playing. Thankfully the Doves interview was in their dressing room off site so no problems there. GS opened with True Romance, no doubt their best one of the new album and continued with more indie/new wave/funk/disco-ish tunes for about 45min. Too bad lead Gwilyn was always tied to his keyboard – needs one of those Tenori-on’s Little Boots uses (and apparantly Lily too as I discovered later that day). Then they rolled into the media tent for the interview with moi! great sound but low action. 7.5/10

Little Boots -
Pics:

Little Boots (Bestival 2009 pics)

She comes out driving one of those pink barbie kids cars. which, again, cause the stage is SO high, those up front couldn’t see and the 1 big screen to the left of the stage isn’t helpful when you’re standing on the right of the stage. She’s dressed like a grandmother + a boa (see pics) and not a granny going to space. wtf? Or maybe this was some Brit space outfit from a show i’m not aware of? Eventually the boa & white granny glasses come off. whew. was too weird watching granny dance around singing about love. This electro girl AKA Victoria Hesketh known for bringing the Tenori-on (scroll to bottom for details: http://taraoweb.com/blog/2009/01/jan-14-2009-podcast-and-show-playlist/) into awareness – wouldnt go so far as popular yet, even though it’s a Bjork fav toy, produces some fun light electro. By far the best response was during Stuck on Repeat – a song that aptly stuck in my head for days when I first heard it. See I wasnt the only one. 7.5/10 (lose .5 point with the stupid outfit Vic!)

Jack Penate –
Vid (note: Vid best viewed not sitting too close to screen):

From Bestival Performances – Tara O. Bjorn Again, Maps, Carl Cox, Jack Penate, Passion Pit, Joe Gideon Pi

Jack was also on in the Big Top belting out his tunes (see vid). Unfortunately the sound wasn’t that great so we didnt stay long and used the opportunity to explore the grounds. 5.5/10

Lily Allen –
Pics & Vids (note: Vids best viewed not sitting too close to screen):

Lily Allen (Tara O. Bestival 2009 vids & pics)

Entertainment-wise Lily was the hilte. Hate to give it to her cause she’s so well known and commercial but spade is a spade. She was space-outfitted with her usual sexy slant, she covered the whole stage area left to right, engaged & chatted with the crowd, had a *great voice, and we all had a good laugh when the audio cut out on her track (see vid). She had everyone’s finger in the air singing to Fuck You and was pretty ‘demonstrative’ with her mic (if you know what i mean) singing It’s not Fair. Few days later I read she would quit music & start acting. Not bad for a girl discovered on MySpace 3ish years ago. She also participated in the festival picking the best space outfits and the final winner. 9/10

Klaxons -
Vid (note: Vid best viewed not sitting too close to screen):

From Bestival Festival (Sep 10-14, 2009)

It’s evening and I was hungry so ate my chips & mushy peas staring at Klaxons on a large screen set up several 100 metres bck from the main stage – the organizers did have the foresight to put on there, realizing EVeryone cant fit into the main stage viewing area. They had a great night time show

Kraftwerk -
Pics:

Kraftwerk (Bestival 2009)

I hadnt seen live before. I was surprised at the massive turnout even though they were the Sat night show closers. Havent they performed for years – hasnt everyone in Europe seen them by now? As they don’t ‘sing’ or say much, it’s essentially a set heavy on technology, light and word reminding us all of the perils of living (nuclear, spies, enemies..)

La Roux –
Vid & Pics (note: Vids best viewed not sitting too close to screen):

La Roux (Tara O. Bestival 2009 Pics & Vids)

After midnight it’s off to see La Roux. You could see crowds had been gathering for awhile and it was going to be tough getting into the tent but having seen her a month earlier at Osheaga -play an outdoor afternoon show to about 400? Canadians I was dying to see the vast expected difference to a UK reception. It was as good as I’d imagined and read about her shows at past festivals. There was a growing mass of people, and the frenzy built as she played and by the time her last one In for the Kill happened I think it was a strange relief it was over — so many people dancing in such little space. It makes sense but nonetheless how much more confident she appeared here than in Montreal. She’s got a great live voice. Light & screen show was great too. 9/10

WRAP-UP DAY 2

Everyone was in great mood being dressed up all day and while there was drinking I never saw or really heard 1 fight. This is v. unusual for an english crowd. Was the spirit of the festival taking over? As had been a few times a day, you’d encounter more English who would say this is the best festival going (but dont tell anyone) oops. that it’s the friendliest & the safest (eg tent robbing) one. To give you an idea… my biggest ‘problem’ all 3 days was probably making sure I always had enuf toilet paper on hand. And if you flashed that stuff around…every girl in line was asking you for some!

Somehow in all that days activities we completely missed Micachu & the Shapes and so many, but missing acts would be a common theme as you realized it was just impossible to be everywhere. But I suppose not having the option like many in the UK to catch these acts throughout the year I was struggling to fit in as much as possible. Often, in meeting people they would tell you about even more great acts to check out (thanks Dave for The Mummers & Squarepusher) which would only add to the dilemma. Hanging around the media tent waiting for an interview or checking on updates would usually produce a band or two milling around (eg Hockey) but sometimes I would have to guess who they were! But they must have been popular enough in the UK cause interview lineups would start & flashes go off (eg Kitty Daisy & Lewis).

Then v. late at some point “the pyrotechnic delights of the Fire Field that included the stunning After Burner stage and the dazzling Blastival, proving especially popular with the late night congregation.” The AfterBurner was basicallly the late night clubbing area, dancing/hanging out around a large stage with a …i dont even know how to describe it… jet engine placed vertically on a stage with lights, lasers and flames around. Around it’s circumference walked an MC further entertaining the crowd.

So off to bed for what would turn out to be the only full nights sleep in about 5days. Tomorrow was Doves interview day!

DAY 3 – Sun Sep 13

Hmm today had its sunny moments but for the 1st time in days with the wind & clouds you could imagine rain. In early afternoon after re-confirming my Doves interview we used the time to explore the festival before the late afternoon interview. or so i thought…
By late afternoon the weather was cooling, and so was I but i refused to budge from the media area, as Doves were to arrive at any time. Well there had been a miscommunication so by the time they arrived, it was time to for them to play and it was unlikely they’d interview afterwards (as you may know Doves like to …chill out …after a show – esp. when their friends Elbow are nearby) I love Doves and hell or high water, I was interviewing them. They were one if not *the main reason I chose this festival over others – knowing they’d be there. So when the show was over and after a total 3?hour cold wait, it was up to the artist camp to interview before they interacted with Elbow – or else all I would’ve gotten was slurring!

Doves - Doves Interview & Vids & Show/Interview Pics
note: Vids best viewed not sitting too close to screen

Doves (Bestival 2009 Show & Tara O. Interview Pics, Video)

In the world of UK music, longevity is more than 1 album. Doves put out #4 this year – some say deserving of the Mercury Prize for the years best album (like the Polaris in Canada). These 3 northern almost 40 y.olds hate having to label their music, so listen to the interview to hear how Jez describes themselves. Though known by all they are one of England’s (and the worlds) most under appreciated bands producing wonderful harmonies & melodies, lyrics and more. I wish I hadn’t known they had just arrived in time to get on stage but the lack of congruantness (is that a word?) with the audience and the festival became apparent anyways (“what’s this year’s theme?” lead Jimi asks the crowd). While Jimi may not have Elbow’s suave & heartily-friendly, affable Guy Garvey style on stage, he is nonetheless 1/3 of one my fav bands, creating music I’ve listened to many times over. (KoR & Some Cities: CD Reviews)

Doves put on a good show- running the gamut of songs from 4CDs playing a set list you’ve probably heard before if you’ve ever had the smarts or fortune to see a show. For a smoker (I presume as he had a lighter at the interview) Jimi’s voice is strong and he’s experienced & confident enuf to know that 30sec in, they needed to start over cause Jez’s guit wasnt hooked up properly. It was wonderful to see them live, outdoors, and at the best time – when the sun is setting – so you see them in daylight, sun set, and darkness and lights. With so many talented pieces, I would’ve like to have heard some different tracks from the mainstays. 8/10

Bjorn Again –
Vid (note: Vid best viewed not sitting too close to screen):

From Bestival Performances – Tara O. Bjorn Again, Maps, Carl Cox, Jack Penate, Passion Pit, Joe Gideon Pi

One of many festival discoveries was this ABBA cover band that is apparantly HUGE in the UK & OZ. They look just like them and have been doing this for years. Everyone under 25 was jumping & dancing and sometimes I would think – I wonder if they’ve ever even seen the original band – or do they even care? I’d never seen people so completely enamoured /such buy-in with a cover band. Good for them. What more can I say except how long before they reach N.A.? 8/10

Elbow -
Vid & Pics (note: Vids best viewed not sitting too close to screen):

Elbow (Tara O. Bestival 2009 Pics & Vids)

Having seen them play live the first time only a month ago at Osheaga.com, I knew their set list, style, how it’d all roll out. I was pleasantly surprised to see the added video, great light work, and lead Guy’s even more heartwarming chats with the crowd. Best was when he has a frank chat near the end, telling us all..let’s skip the game of “we go off the stage, you clap and we all know we come back for an encore”. “instead, if you want us back you’ll need to sing the star trek theme”. well laugh then sing we did. He put a great twist on a tedious matter. Has Guy always been this affable or is it cause he’s now in love and the world is wonderful…?
The show was great. While not costumed, the 4 back up singers came out as Princess Leia’s. 9/10.

Carl Cox -
Vid (note: Vid best viewed not sitting too close to screen):

From Bestival Performances – Tara O. Bjorn Again, Maps, Carl Cox, Jack Penate, Passion Pit, Joe Gideon Pi

Before Carl was up we wanted to check out Derrick Carter playing at another DJ tent but it was packed (and though you can always sqeeze in) more importantly it was *full of sweaty people. The temperature of the open air tent was likely 4degrees warmer than outside. Not wanting catch a cold (as I was starting to feel it from standing in the cold for hours waiting for Doves) I had to pass.
Headed to see Carl at the Big Top which was getting near capacity. It’s amazing, wonderful, impressive, that at 50 he still pulls out everyone. So at midnight there we are, tent com-plete-ly full by now, and people crowded outside, sitting on the grass all around, listening to him spin some old, some new and it’d just been about oooo 20degrees warmer you would’ve thought you were in Ibiza. He had a light show going on the tent walls, and 2 big screens displaying graphics that (surely) would’ve been better on shrooms or the like. Show lasted two hours but I needed to leave early as was getting sick(er).

POST BESTIVAL TRIP

Scotland:

Scotland (post Bestival Sep09)

Scotland Whisky Distillery:

Scotland Whisky Distillery (Post Bestival Sep09)

Flying over Greenland:

Greenland (post Bestival Sep 2009)

http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/A/Arctic_Monkeys/ConcertReviews/2009/09/30/11203176-sun.html

Then, after a few days spent in Bestival post-recovery mode, I’ll be back to provide a review & pics, and maybe even have some interviews to share!

In the meantime, I hope you’re enjoying the fun podcasts I’ve left for your audio delight

Tara O.

BACKGROUND (short intro to the interview):

In a recent interview with Elly Jackson – or one half of “La Roux” as she’s better known, we discuss:

- fan support/reaction to her since her last Canadian visit
- the Mercury Prize (eg, her nomination, it preceeding the CD release in Canada, what she thinks of the prize….)
- meeting Ben (the other half of La Roux)
- her french heritage and trips to France
- her major major love of 80s music + those current bands she’s into
- the long slog to complete their self-titled CD, what she did in between working on it, the tough times & low periods, and the event that changed everything.

More Artist Interviews with Tara O.

Montreal’s annual 2 day music fest was off to a great start Sat Aug 1st with great full-on summah time 30degree-ish weather (as it had been pretty shitty of late (read: rainy) here this summer) and a big crowd that only grew bigger as the day went on. hmmm maybe cause Coldplay was headlining that night?? ..more on that later aligator…

ELBOW

Afternoon of Day 1 (cause I did have to *get to Montreal that morning) started off with a great interview in the sun with Elbow – last year’s undisputed Mercury Prize winners (goes to best UK/Irish album of the year). During the interview, Jesse Hugues from Eagles of Death Metal walks by, pointing at Pete from Elbow and in all seriousness under his big floppy mustache says “this is the best band in the world.. this is the best band in the world, right here”. He smiles and walks on.  With Elbow I discuss their Mercury Prize win of course, how it’s changed things and them, their favorite recording studio, influences and factors in each of the band member’s lives that affected the creation and development of their winning album “Seldom Seen Kid”, and predictions for this year’s Mercury winner.

Elbow also put on one of the best shows of the festival (but you knew this just watching them perform in the afternoon of day 1). The crowd was way bigger than expected and most surprisingly, made up of all age groups, with a pretty even distribution of men,women.

They came out with their trumpets and blasted things right off with Starlings, the lead track from Seldom Seen Kid (SSK). More SSK tracks (eg, loneliness of a tower crane driver – which btw, lead Guy Garvey said he was shocked to hear on the BBC one day as he never intended it for ‘radio play’ — shows you how wide and far this album’s net has cast). Some attention was paid to tracks past albums (they do have 4!) but SSK got the majority. What i noticed almost all throughout was that while everyone seemed to be (almost) entralled by their performance, few were ‘singing along’, which made the think alot were there on heresay. This is though, a band that supports U2 at Wembley this month, so it’s only a matter of time before more know of Elbow. In the meantime, they no doubt left our crowd a happier, more chilled out bunch.

Pictures of the Elbow performance and our interview are HERE

LA ROUX

After the Elbow interview I ran over in time to catch La Roux’s performance before interviewing her afterwards.  She palyed at my fav Meg Stage – it’s a more intimate setting (oooo), it’s by the water surrounded by trees, it’s great at sunset, has its own food & drink (read alcohol!), services (loos!) where you stand a much better chance (as a girl) of going before the year 2010, and you can get really up close to the stage. all for ah dolla ninety-nine folks. The LaRoux fan club has grown i see… quite a diff from her last time here – as she even mentioned in our interview shortly afterwards. ..what a difference it makes to have a merc prize nom & an album out in full swing with some its vids playing on MusiquePlus to boot.  so good for her. She worked 4ish damn years on that album..bring em on. So arriving late i was stuck trying to find a good vantage point but dressed in her polka dotted top and ‘tards and red hair sticking out she’s easy enough to track on stage.  (Btw Meg stage area ran out of some food later on that day which was NOT cool after you’ve been standing in line for any length of time). Little did we know this was the beginning of longer food lines to come…

The interview went really well..I was of course ready with questions but at one point, we got off track (but interestingly so!) when she started to talk about some stuff that seemed pretty personal to her so I thought it best to continue down that route.

Pics of the La Roux’s performance and our interview are here.

OTHER BANDS on DAY ONE

Other bands I checked out that day were Swede Lykke Li – i’ve been an ‘observing fan’ let’s call it..since January. Watching to see if Canada takes to her or not. She certainly had the crowd NOT going for the first 20 min but she finally started to wake up around the time of her hit ” little bit” and from then on you’d think you were watching a different performer.  Unfortunately the bass was reverbing all over the grounds so ruined some of her electro based sounds.

Then off to see the The Roots at a more main stage, who were playing at the same time as Lykke. They had a good crowd and kept everyone attentive until Coldplay…you could feel the anticipation growing …

COLDPLAY

Coldplay, ah coldplay…where to begin as I was ’forced’ to watch them perform this night… To explain my mixed emotions, here’s the background: The first time i saw their Yellow video in..2000?  Just this lone guy walking down the beach, singing to himself… my first thought was ..who. on EARTH.  puts out such a bland, straightforward video!  Where’s the flash, the .5second edits, the graphics for our ADD generation?  C`mon mahn!  hmm who’s gonna watch this thing?   By 3rd viewing of the video, i had no problem watching Chris walk  ,  and i was hooked on the anthemic build up and riff…and thinking to myself… who. ON EARTH.  is this ??  and realized this band was different and so began my repetitive listens of CD1 Parachutes, appreciating so many other tracks (eg, Trouble, Everything’s not lost, Shiver).  When they played my city on Feb 24 2003 (cause yes, i still have the sticker up on my mirror along with many others) for the 1st time, it was exciting.  Btw, “The Music” opened for them which made a great UK  double bill.   I was surprised at the turnout but then realized song recognition was low when the crowd’s biggest (and almost only big reaction) was to Yellow.

Then, excited was i  when CD2 came out.  I was in Europe in Aug 02 and bought it the day it came out i believe, deciding it must however be christened back home in my livingroom on my wicked speakers & sound system (my ritual for all special CDs).  The guy in the Amsterdam railstation (stationsplein?) record store hadn’t heard of the band even tho they played nearby Lowlands festival in 2000.  sighhh I left wondering how much longer will people be able to say that?  But maybe the spaniards were more in tune with them cause later that trip while at a favorite Malaga clothing store Blanco, i was trying on clothes while In my Place played on the sound system overhead (i`ve no idea why i remember that fact and not more important things in life… hmm i still have never worn the skirt i bought that day…).  ANYHOW! as for the CD, I wasn’t dissappointed (considering it was the soph. album and it’s almost impossible they can ever be better than number 1).  Again, great tracks that never got airplay (title track Rush of Blood to the Head, Amsterdam (where I omminously happened to be at time of purchase), Warning Sign) but at least the band was gaining good traction with The Scientist and Clocks (which one had that great video that went in reverse?)…  .

Far as i’m concerned, they hit their musical creativity peak here.   By 2005′s CD3  X&Y I was getting concerned… ironically the hype they’d long deserved had finally arrived, cd pre-release review’s of X&Y were aplenty (giving it so-so ratings with general comments about Chris’ weak lyric writing), and old and young I knew had now either been to their concerts or knew a song or two.  X&Y was their final step to the mainstream.  The video for their opening single Speed of Sound was … over the top/glitzy, and showed the grandeur they were now expected to be.  ..what about our long walks on the beach Chris?… or just 3min of you walking backwards? ahhh the good ol days..   More mainstream hits followed with Talk and Fix, with Low being the outstanding overlooked album track.   I bought the album and gave it its requisite repetitive plays but my suspicions were confirmed.  Coldplay had now ‘arrived’ but the band i’d hyped for so long was no longer that band musically, and more importantly – artistically. They’d found a niche and you werent gonna budge them for hell or high water.   You know those CDs you have that need a listen to at least annually, year after year? Well CD3 hasn’t been in my player since 2006. I can’t even remember how some of the songs go anymore (though I should go back and give Low and a couple others a good once over).   I can’t say this about 1&2.  There are moments in a year I find myself humming a CD 1 or 2 track unconsciously until i drive myself to the CD player for relief through the speakers.

By 2007 news came out that CD4 was to have 2 names. I thought the concept of two titles  – from a marketing point of view and from an artistic-choosing-of-names point of view, was, to put it politely, not their best choices yet (read stupid).  When it arrived with open arms by the world the cover made no sense – but honestly, by this point i’m not really giving them a fair shake anymore and reading up on some good reason the french revolution is on their album cover.  So i broke tradition and stopped buying their CDs and let radio moments feed me the tracks i was supposed to love that everyone talked about.  It didnt happen ..sure Violet Hill’s pretty and Viva is their anthem but the flower was off the bloom and apart from a couple of full CD listens one day I havent really given that CD the time of day.  Especially when there’s SO many exciting new (and not so new) UK bands that regularly appear on the scene.  Why listen to the same ol same ol?   We love buying new clothes, new gadgets, why not new sounds?   SO. when i heard Coldplay was headlining Osheaga on night 1, and when I saw the crowds growing GROwing GROWING every hour on the festival site as we neared 9pm or whenever they started, and as line-ups for food concessions, drinks and toilets became UNbearable as they hadnt anticipated the “coldplay effect”, i groaned – groaned – groaned.

But as never having had the opportunity to see them live, my companion in arms really wanted to witness some of the fuss.  And had it been me who’d never seen them I would’ve requested the same.  They came out to massive applause & cheers.   While there were songs from all 4 CDs, the most amazing thing was the change in audience reaction when they played their newer material (CD4).  Those that were previously swaying or just enjoying, say, God put a smile upon your Face, just went CRAY-zee when Viva la Vida started.  Looking around I felt like I was at a different concert all ov a sudden.  And that’s when it really sunk in HOW many bloody new fans Colplay has pulled in in recent years.   and of allll ages.  I have to admit, they put on quite the show (ack!).  Chris since the early days has always been a great entertainer and that night I saw he still does one of his signature moves … knees on the floor, feet under his legs and arching his back down to the floor to his feet – singing away.

There were moments of over-the-topness but they *are a stadium world famous band now so…  At one point, yes there were fireworks but that only seemed to complement, not overshadow, their performance.  When Yellow started, out from nowhere came these huMONgous yellow (what else?) balloons that everyone started volleying over their heads, around the crowd.  Some pierced the balls with lighters and they`d explode and out came little bits of paper (no fortune cookie messages on them tho   )   When they finally made it to the area i was standing, a fair ways back from the stage, i kept one that landed on me and sat on it and watched the rest of the show from my coldplay-ergo-yellow-ball.  .. had a great little workout while drinking a rum n coke listening to CP. so all n all it was bearable.  We left about 20min before it ended…based on suspicions that somehow the crowd size and the metro/underground back into centretown were *not on par.  Reports later confirmed there was heavy backups to access the underground till finally it closed and surprise surprise, a mass of tired, drunk  people apparantly got quite angry. not a fun way to end your evening but this is where chiling out comes in i guess. easy for me to say…  Unfortunately, seeing CP meant missing Girl Talk who were playing at the same time and who i`ve since heard n read nothing but good things about  catch them at some other festy i guess.. rrrr

Coldplay summary

Worst fashion statement: each band member in a different colored shirt for the remaining Coldplay newbies in the world.    Do you think the purple guy played well? No, i liked the green guy better.  …sigh

Best moment: Big yellow balloons mosh-bouncing over the audience as you looked towards the stage and watched the band play VS.  watching the fireworks go  off in the opposite direction and just appreciating the audio.

Best surprise song played : Green Eyes

Worst song: Billie Jean (enuf! enuf! enuf! MJ already!  i liked him too but seriously folks…)

Best song:  remixed version of God put a smile upon your Face (but i left around Politik)

Best clips, overview: http://www.coldplaying.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2860784

————–DAY 2————-

Sunday, sunday…. well, technically Sunday starts at 12:01 am so i need to count the interesting night of accommodations had on Sat night… stayed at this australian guy`s apt i found in an ad.  Everything sounded great on paper and by email..but sat night around oooo who knows… middle of the night…he and his girlfriend start fighting. and she`s yelling ..you don`t love me, you’re selfish, (repeat 6times in various ways) and he basically just listens, riding it out.  She sounds like she’s about to throw things and i’m wondering..is she coming into my room at some point ..do i need to find a HoJo? hmmm kinda late to look for a room… then it ended as quickly as it started and the  next night (sunday) arriving back at the apt to sleep …the million dollar fun question is…will i be getting australian theatre 2 nights in a row? … could I *be this lucky??    Yup.  turns out night 1 was just the opening act.  luk-key me.  Sunday night included door closings, stomping up down the hall, starting the washing machine (i guess they multi task while fighting), and finally – silence. …or maybe i just fell asleep already used to it all.  in any event when i saw mr australia the next morning he acted like nothing happened as he was showing the next couple coming in the door their (my) room they’d have that night and the apt overall …and i couldnt help but throw out how there’s entertainment thrown in for free when you stay here.  he just looked at me, giving me the – dont blow this for me i need the cash – look.  i looked right back at im, kinda laughed and let him know he had my sympathies.  ahhh relationships… SO! MUCH! FUN!  they can be.

But i digresss… this is about the festival…

TING TINGS

uhm, not much to say bout the Tings. they were enjoyable, entertaining..all you`d expect from them. And they made everyone stuck in the afternoon rain feel happier and jumpy.  They started with one of their best tracks and CD title track – We  Started Nothing.  They didnt leave before hitting That’s not my name, we walk, and of course – the one everyone this side of the ocean knows because of a Telus ad Shut up and Let me go (btw, this is actually about their (ex) record company).  Funny thing about the Tings is …  they get, on average, more traction in N.A. than alot of UK bands do.  And for many U.K. bands, their goal is to ‘make it’ over here.  Yet, whenever UK artists I’m speaking with mention the Tings, it’s usually with mild disdain or they dont really seem to have much respect for them.  Jealousy? somewhat, as they feel they havent put in their dues and they’re kind of one trick ponies.  Time will tellll.  In the meantime, Osheageans were quite attracted to the Tingers.

Pics of the Ting Tings performance are below.  They weren’t doing interview (don’t get me started)

OTHER DAY 2 EVENTS,ACTS

Passing Rufus Wainwright…I could have lived another day to not have heard those sounds from stage where he played… ah well, let diversity rain. i mean reign. …cause Day 2 it was rain. rain rain. then amazingly, the sun came out and my plastic cover (that made me look like a condom) and the umbrella we were forced to buy in town that morning cause the rain was just DUMPing on you, were sacked away for the rest of the day pretty much.  thank you sun gods!

Between bathroom breaks (hey, i`m not a camel) and rum n cokes (sadly, the only alchohol offered by festival organizers apart from coolers and beer) there were acts here n there but i was off to interview Alex Turner (lead) and Jamie Cook (guitarist) from the …

ARCTIC MONKEYS

Well, the boys were SO tired when i saw them i thought they were going to fall asleep standing up.  So I went into overdrive mode to shake em up and thank goodness it worked – we sat in a great place, on a bench in the sun, aways away from the noise.  Alex came alive and, based on the interview feedback gotten to date – spoke more than he usually does – so looks like my efforts werent in vain.  Jamie did some fun air guitaring and at times they each wanted to answer the same question so I was having to balance out who should get to answer `this time`.   I’ve gotten tons of great comments back on the interview (thanks to everyone).

The show was spot on. OMGoodness these boys have grown up since 2 Osheagas ago, when I sort of cringed at their lack of stage presence.  And they got to play in a better slot and as far as i`m concerned – the best slot … cause you see them in the daylight (see their faces,expressions,get that daytime concert atmosphere), then as the sun`s setting behind the stage (beauty, chill), then when it`s dark (get the light show, the mood changes) – best of all worlds in my books!   They even had tons more people show up this time, and speaking to fans afterwards, well, they were clearly fans and not spectators who just “happened” to catch them cause they were playing Osheaga.  There was a  british flag flying and crowd surfing.  fun fun.  At the end I bumped into a young guy with his mom!  she had become a fan after hearing him play them (maybe it was the 60s rock influence off the new cd?).

Pics of the Arctic Monkeys performance and our interview are HERE

YEAH YEAH YEAHS

The night closers.  The replacements. As much anticipated (by me and everyone i heard talking about it) Beastie Boys pulled out to due Yauch`s battle with cancer.  Until then I`d been looking forward to the YYYs but when the festival announced their 4:45 ish slot was being bumped to final act I was annoyed.   NYCs All points festival the day before got Jay-Z to replace the BBoys, and we were getting bumper-uppers.  Hey, Osheaga, if you plot them as an afternoon act, they`re an afternoon act.  It`s not a movable thing. You need to find final acts worthy of the title.  this isnt checkers damn it.

Needless to say, this 3 cd band does rock and Karen O. (no, we`re not related ha) does give a performance, but they`re just not end-of-ni` material yet. Their (her) banter between tracks was corny and I felt they were removed from the crowd.  She came out wearing a mask or something and looked ridiculous (hey i normally love her clothes,fashion antics) but ..what? are you going to eat us?  sigh. I felt she was trying to amp it up and i just wasnt buying.  And based on Nick and Brian’s energy levels, you’d think she had hired them as a back up last minute band.   The played tracks from across the albums and there was a great crowd turn out and of course pple enjoyed those off their latest It`s Blitz most.

While Coldplay’s performance & electricity on night one was clearly in another galaxy, the YYYs need more stage time to develop into what could become a show closer band.

My next festival is Bestival in the UK and I`ll be sure to tell you all about that when I get back in late Sep.

Osheaga 2009

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