Glasgowbury 2013, what happened!

The Answer

Saturday 11.00pm Small But Massive Stage

Described in a tweet: big hair, enormous riffs and the redeeming power of rock.

Paddy Glasgow appeared on stage, to give his speech of thanks and appreciation to the fans, volunteers and organisers of the event – who all came on to join him too, filling the stage with the heart and soul of the festival.

He told us to look out for “a Small But Massive stage near you”, raising hope in the crowd. He said bands like The Answer are proof “that we can make it internationally” and a huge cheers roared through the mountain. That done, the riffs resumed and the Streetwise Samba Band arrived for a cool collaboration. The temperature was dropping but The Answer put the last glow into Glasgowbury.

Jetplane Landing

Small but Massive Stage, Friday, 7.45pm

Describe in a tweet: The daddies reclaim what is rightfully theirs!

And what a homecoming - while it takes a while for the band to warm up, 'Why Do They Never Play Les Savy Fav on the Radio' is the first big moment of the weekend. New song 'My Radio Heart' proves Jetplane's knack for punk pop hooks is stronger than ever while 'The Violence' sounds just as noisily relevant as it did all those years ago. Once Jetplane get a few shows under their belt they could well end up the most unmissable live act in the country. Welcome back, lads.

The Japanese Popstars

Small but Massive Stage, Friday, 11.30pm

Describe in a tweet: They came, they raved, the conquered. 

And play they do, finding real impact with reworked versions of tracks mainly taken from awesome new album 'Disconnect/Reconnect'. A beefed up 'Matter of Time' is the perfect way to bring a memorable day to a crushing conclusion, that creepy Green Velvet vocal drifting into a perfect Draperstown night sky. Yes, there were a few confused looking crowd surfers, but this ended up as triumphant as it was bold.

And So I Watch You From Afar

G Sessions stage, Friday, 10.50pm

Describe in a tweet: One final bout of chaos.

If anyone owns this festival, it's ASIWYFA. They've done it all - secret gigs, headline shows and lost weekends as mere punters. Tonight is a celebration of a genuine relationship they have with this festival, the most confidant band in Ireland somehow finding extra confidence to mark the occasion. 'Big Thinks Do Remarkable' has us torn apart within minutes while 'S is for Salamander' is nothing shy of astonishing - an incredibly intricate song beautifully destroyed without the band breaking a sweat.

Guitarist Rory Friers is in the form of his life, giving his band’s last Glasgowbury performance everything it deserves. He's preaching about the festival, thanking everyone involved over and over. Yet it's never tedious. By the time they crash home with 'The Voiceless', as an incredible light show finally fries our retinas, something becomes clear. They've stolen the show one last time.

Music Promise

G Sessions Stage, Friday 6pm

Describe in a Tweet: the future may not be Glasgowbury *sob* but it is still bright

Silhouette

Small But Massive Stage, Friday 8.45pm

Describe in a Tweet: This Silhouette is no shadow, but shines bright in the sunlight.

"If Glasgowbury has taught me one thing," Tony expounds, "It's about going for it!" Like almost every act here this weekend he feels duty bound to give kudos to the festival.

The tunes are tight. There's old fashioned rock'n'roll in the mix and lashings of wild abandon in the guitars. At one point we're wondering if there's a brass section hidden somewhere, such is the oomph. There's pathos too in the quieter moments and a plaintive harmonica is put to good use. Judging by the songs on offer this evening, the forthcoming album should make for an interesting listen.

'It's been a dream of mine to play this stage' promises Jilly St. John, lead singer with Wylding, capturing the importance of Glasgowbury with one tidy soundbite. It's been something to aspire to for all new bands, grateful to be on a bill amongst the best of their peers. Other festivals have popped up around the country, but this is the one to play, and Jilly knows it. Not that she ever gives anything less than everything. She's really going for it, bounding about the stage from square one, doubling the crowd within a couple of songs.

Wylding constantly overdose on energy and enthusiasm - but do they have the songs to match? For the most part - yes. Each song has a creative selling point - a chunky baseline, glitzy keyboard riff or industrial beat - something to make it stand out. They're a rock act in the same way Muse are a rock act – guitar, bass and drums are merely starting points. The problem however, is that on occasions it's a little unfocused, a little try hard, the kitchen sink needlessly thrown about. But when it comes together and works, as it does best on 'Siren', Wylding are genuinely immense. Jilly's vocal is intermittently a little off centre, but again you're forgiving - her inability to stand still for a second is more than a reasonable excuse. A little fine tuning, a little holding back on occasion and they could really be on to something pretty special.

Katharine Phillipa 

Eagles Rock Stage, Saturday, 4pm

Describe in a tweet: Girl takes on armed drumming gang…. and wins.

But a drum circle, an actual circle of people playing the drums, right outside a tent with a mostly acoustic line up - that's taking it too far. Why not take a look at the schedule and make this unholy racket beside a stage at it's changeover? Too much hassle to organise? They really should be ashamed. But they'll hijack this review no more.

Katharine Phillipa battled through, and so should we. 'Whiter than I' remains the most gorgeous, poignant track a Northern Irish act has written in the last couple of years and soars at Glasgowbury. 'Broken to be Rebuilt', from a forthcoming EP, somehow finds Katharine even more low-key and minimal than usual - a brave, hugely encouraging new song. Her take on Joni Mitchell's 'A Case of You' floors us, especially as the aforementioned din-makers have finally take their business elsewhere. One girl and her piano - that's all you need sometimes. Maybe not built for festivals, but a colossal talent all the same.

Ed Zealous

Friday 7.45pm Small But Massive stage

Everyone chilled in the Friday sun until Ed Zealous took to the stage and pumped up the crowd with a solid electronic rock performance. Highlight of their polished set was their new single ‘Medicines’, an abundance of dance pop energy, getting the party started on the mountaintop.

With the combination of front man Steve McAvoy’s distinctive vocals, ravey synths, and Paul Irwin killing it on the drums, Ed Zealous played an awesome set.

They attracted the first big crowd of the day, establishing the Glasgowbury buzz and topped it off with their big single ‘Diamonds For Eyes’.

Vanilla Gloom

Saturday 12.50pm Spurs of Rock Stage

Described in a tweet: Grungy, girl rock to blow your hangover away

It was heartening to see these newcomers pull a big crowd into the Spurs of Rock stage, especially when most of the audience was delicate from the previous night’s antics. With grungy rhythms and melodies alongside with Grace Leacock’s mesmerising drumming, the band definitely has serious potential.

Pretty Child Backfire

Saturday 4.20pm Small But Massive Stage

Described in a tweet: Local combo, literally at home.

Pretty Child Backfire promised an exciting set with brand new tunes. They sounded quite at home on stage, which is unsurprising as front man Mark McAlister only lives down the road. The indie band’s confidence has really grown over the past few years playing at the festival, especially after they were praised by Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody.

The atmosphere was gradually hyped up, leading to their well known single ‘I Wish I Knew You Better’. Mark asked everyone to “Look to your right, look to your left” and sing along with friends in the audience. Pretty Child Backfire have always had a loyal following from fans here, and this year was no different. They deserved to play on the main stage and have great things ahead of them.

More than Conquerors

Saturday 8.30pm Small But Massive Stage

Described in a tweet: Rock, rhythms and riffs

Their international touring schedule has given them a sense of confidence and presence - they handle the main stage and the evening slot with ease. An annual Glasgowbury highlight is More Than Conquerors front man Kris doing an obligatory crowd surf during their set. Last year was in the G Sessions tent, but this more prestigious space allowed Kris to stage dive with even more energy. The gig ended with ‘Bear Knuckle Fight’, Kris in the crowd without a microphone, doing a silent chant of the huge chorus.

LaFaro

Saturday 9.40 Small But Massive Stage

Described in a tweet: “Hands up if you’re wearin’ a dress for the first time and ******* loving it”

Dave shouts out “Is anyone else not wearin’ any underwear?” As ever, the LaFaro lacks subtlety and some concerned parents are covering their children’s ears. But this is why the faithful love the band. Despite their glamorous makeover, the music is as brutal as ever, and includes a blistering ‘Mr Heskey’. A gig to melt your face off.

The Clameens

Saturday Small But Massive Stage, 1:25pm

The Clameens mirror the weather with their sunny guitar pop opening Day 2 on the main stage. As it’s early on the crowd is pretty sparse, but those who are there are soon bouncing along to the Kings of Leon meets Vaccines style ‘She’s Got My Heart’ and ‘Follow.’ It’s a more than solid start to what will be an emotional occasion for all of us, and to be honest if the organisers can stick a band like this on so early, we’re in for a hell of a good day.

Pigsaspeople

Saturday Spurs of Rock Stage, 1:50pm

It’s still early but the Pigs are determined to ensure that everyone in the tent is sweaty by the end, thrashing out the riffs leaving little or no room to breathe. They, and the audience, may be hungover but there is no concession made to this as the guitars howl abrasively and grungily during ‘Gutters’. There’s a brief but emotional, and entirely understandable declaration of what this festival means to the local lad in the band, giving us a brief bit of respite before a circle pit makes an appearance for the dark ‘Machina’, the vocals reminiscent of some twisted religious chant. It’s a belief that most foodstuffs can be improved with the addition of bacon, in the same vein most music experiences can be improved with Pigaspeople.

The Last Generation

Saturday Spurs Of Rock Stage, 2:50pm

Described in a tweet: riffs, riffs, more metally riffs

This particular stage continues to deliver more up and coming young rockers. Following on from Vanilla Gloom and Pigsaspeople, The Last Generation continue to deliver “what Glasgowbury is about – loud music on the mountain.” The Seattle sludge of ‘Distort Reality’ is complimented with their love of a catchy hook and a scream, while it’s a close run thing whether the crowd or the band are enjoying themselves better, as the enthusiasm of a bunch of young guys playing what they want, as loud as they want, is infectious. While they may be called The Last, they’re definitely part of the next generation of local rock.

Wonder Villains

Saturday G Sessions Stage: 4:05pm

Described in a tweet: bouncing in a wonder (villain) land

RunawayGo

Saturday Small But Massive Stage. 6:20pm

Described in a tweet: We’re not going to runaway from these guys

The main stage has turned into a sauna as the sun beats down on it, but that doesn’t prevent RunawayGo, and frontman Dave in particular, from trying (and succeeding) to whip up the crowd. The dual male-female vocals are the most obvious difference between them and most other local bands, but the quality of the songs, and their performance, even including a bit of Daft Punk’s ‘Get Lucky’ is what has put them on that stage. The only real downside is that this slot is probably a bit too short for them to show their full ability as we’re left wanting more when they leave.

Trucker Diablo

Saturday 7pm Spurs of Rock stage

Opening up by telling everyone that ‘We Wanna Party With You’, which is aptly the name of their new single, lead singer Tom wastes no time in kicking off proceedings. The volume is ear crunching-ly loud - but that’s what Trucker Diablo fans expect - and it already feels like a best of set with the crowd on board from the word go.

After storming through a few songs Tom takes a moment out to tell everyone there about how they applied to play Glasgowbury six times without any success, but are honoured that they made it to the festival before the curtain closes at Eagles Rock. This moment of reflection doesn’t last long though, and after this brief pit-stop the Big Truck rev up their engine and initiates their trademark cover of Proud Mary, which has everyone in the venue dancing and ‘rolling’ along.

After this short set-break it was straight into the hits again with a flawless rendition of their last single ‘Drive’, which undoubtedly has some of the catchiest lyrics of the year. This is a band who know exactly what their audience want to hear and who can deliver it whatever venue they are in. Keep on trucking guys – there are plenty more stops to make.

Axis Of

Saturday Small But Massive Stage, 7:20pm

Described in a tweet: we’re spinning on the Axis

Pocket Billiards

Saturday G Sessions Stage, 8:25pm

Described in a tweet: party band bring the party

Pocket Billiards may be the ultimate festival band locally. Seriously, it’s hard to think of any other band who can whip up the varied crowd that a festival attracts as well as these guys. Tonight they’re winding us up for one last surge towards the finish line, with tune after tune after relentless tune, giving us almost no room to breathe. ‘Robot Repeat’ and ‘Spide’ are rabble-rousing while ‘Dirty Money’ is a delirious shout-along. There may be enough of them onstage to have a party, but they’re an incredibly tight and cohesive unit, so much so that they get through their set with time to spare and squeeze in an extra wee bonus tune prompting the crowd who had left to come back.

The Bonnevilles:

Saturday Spurs Of Rock Stage, 9:30pm

This is just two guys, right. It’s important to remember that as they make enough noise, and a variety of noise, that it’s tempting to look for the other half dozen members hiding at the side of the stage. Basically if it can be called or rooted in the blues it’ll be here somewhere. From swampy, way down in your gut stuff to feral licks and the unholy rhythm of ‘Hell’ to a bit of surf rock, it’s all rollicking good stuff. The honour of closing this stage’s part in local music history is given to ‘Good Suits and Fighting Boots,’ and even a broken string fails to stop us being transported to bayou juke joint, such is the undeniable swagger of the song. And then, a suitably rock and roll finish as the guitar crashes to the stage.

RAMS’ Pocket Radio

Saturday 9.45pm G Sessions Stage

Described in a tweet “Dieter Rams has brought Kris from More Than Conquerors to Glasgowbury”



A RAMS’ Pocket Radio gig can be very intimate, with just Peter on piano, or it can be very grand with lots of special-guest contributors. On this occasion it’s somewhere in between though as Peter is joined by 6 other musicians on stage, and some of them are multi-instrumentalists. So it’s not a huge surprise when their sound-check overruns meaning that the gig doesn’t start at the advertised time. Peter is quite right not to rush it though as when the set does begin it sounds beautiful.

RAMS’ Pocket Radio, who are on the brink of releasing their second LP, have enough songs under their belt now to play an even mix of new songs that the audience are familiar with while still slipping in the odd new one without any complaints from the crowd and they tear through their catalogue with crowd participation heavy on songs like Aria and Dieter Rams.

There was even a surprise guest towards the end of the set when Kris from More Than Conquerors joined Peter to sing on RAMS track ‘1&2’.

All in all a treat for fans and newcomers alike and it will be interesting to see how this live set develops over the course of the forthcoming album tour.