Last night on the Introducing stage saw Fight Like Apes play one of the most anarchic and fun shows of the weekend.

One of Steve Lamacq's favourite new bands came from Dublin to play, just before London's Cock n Bull Kid wowed the crowd with her stylish alt-pop tunes, before putting make up on my face to make me look like a clown - check out the video below...

Read the rest of this entry

Wow - sunshine at Glastonbury festival shocker! Yes, it's the last day of Glastonbury today, and while I wait for the excitement to kick off, thought I'd write a few words on yesterday's entertainment....

My day kicked off with the Welsh legend Shakin' Stevens, who got a weary bleary crowd rockin' and rollin' out of hot musty tents. Shakey was the first artist I ever bought, on cassette album, so it was a dream come true for me yesterday! Was there really a person in the crowd with a big Green Door - please say it was so!!!! From The Pyramid, I moved on to see Los Campesinos on the Other Stage, who looked like a bunch of naughty lost children on the stage, stomping their way through what is fast becoming a greatest hits set - My life in Lists, Sweet Dreams Sweet Cheeks, You Me Dancing, The Internation Tweecore and so on... and it was delightful to see singer Gareth jump into the crowd for the last track, and clamber back up to the big stage quite swiftly - a task that threw Yanus from Foals on Friday apparently! That would be a bit embarrassing wouldn't it, to end a set with your legs dangling off the stage!

Read the rest of this entry

The Cock n Bull Kid paints Huw's face like a clown...

Aah, that's better. The trainers are on while the wellies are having a rest, and it feels good.

Last night ended raving to Annie Mac's Mash Up which was a lot of fun, and then The Cribs on the John Peel stage. An hour of the hits; perfect.

Today, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly performed a secret gig on the Introducing stage today. We supported him after hearing his demos a few years back and followed his rise ever since.

Other Stage last year, the Pyramid stage yesterday, and today the Introducing Stage. He has a devoted following, he sounded on top form today, and tipped Sky Larkin and The Cock n Bull Kid as ones to watch on the stage.

London singer Roxy played straight after with her mellow tunes, and then it was Georgia Ruth Williams. From Aberystwyth, she has beautiful love-lorn tunes, and her harp sounded in fine form.

Cardiff's Picture Books in Winter played a fiery set, watched by amongst others, Los Campesinos! who gave them a big fat plug on the Other stage earlier today, straight after Golden Silvers (Pyramid Stage headliners in 2010?).

Doneao played an upbeat funky house set with so much percussion onstage i thought it might sink, and the crowd lapping it up. Ghetto brought his street hip hop to the stage and sounded amazing, and The Kabeedies were indie-tastic, jumping around while playing Norwich's finest pop tunes.

Read the rest of this entry

Before they went on stage I thought I'd challenge Friday night's headline band Cheeky Cheeky and The Nosebleeds to a bit of table football...

Ello Ello!

It's been a better than brilliant day on the Introducing Stage here at Glasto. The Park area is full of wonderful people getting on down to wonderful music.....

Read the rest of this entry

Glastonbury is two days away, and Kev Geoghegan from Radio 1 's Newsbeat has been profiling some of the bands who are playing Glastonbury for the first time. It's a big thing playing Glasto at all, let alone for the first time.

Tonight on the show from 9pm and Introducing in England from Midnight, Manchester's wonderful Cats in Paris are in session. They're gonna be releasing their debut album on Akoustik Anarky soon, and from what we've heard it's pretty special. Do tune in or listen again to check them out...

Oi oi.

Just got back from Sonar Festival in Barcelona where it's beats and bleeps and everything inbetween all the way. Had loads of fun watching Daedelus, raving it up till the early hours, catching Barcelona's mega El Guincho (playing Field Day in London) and seeing The Duloks play to a excited and bemused crowd. This is them playing Introducing Stage at Bestival last year, where the good Sonar folks saw them play for the first time and invited them to the legendary fest.

Need to pack for Glastonbury soon - my wellies are still in the garden from last summer's festivals. Looking forward to seeing everyone play the Introducing Stage at Glasto - the line-up is fantastic. Make sure to come up if you're at Glasto, or check the website and the show if you're not there.

The line up is announced for the stage at Latitude Festival in Suffolk on July 18, 19 and 20th ! And flippin' heck, what a line up.....

Friday 18th

Errors

James Yuill

Gideon Conn

Jonquil

APATT

Truckers of Husk

Kyte

Mathew Sawyer and the Ghost

Derwyddon dr Gonzo

---

Saturday 19th

Cheeky Cheeky and the Nosebleeds

Sky Larkin

This City

Voluntary Butler Scheme

The Beep Seals

Kate Goes

Rod Thomas

The Swanton Bombs

The Kabeedies

---

Sunday 20th

The Wave Pictures

Johnny Foreigner

Lovvers

Cock n Bull Kid

Bearsuit

Elle S'appelle

Luke Leighfield with Tim and Sams Tim and Sam Band

Island Line and A Line

The School

Phew!

For all you folkey dokeys out there, beard or no beard, Green Man festival is a lovely festival in the Brecon Beacons in South Wales. This year, as well as all the usual merriment, they're holding a competition for a band to open the main stage. You'll be playing alongside Spiritualized, Super Furry Animals and folk legends Pentangle...

Check this link if you fancy doing it...

I'll be there, the one drinking a falafel and eating a cider....

The London three piece band, coming to a computer/stage/laptop/portable music player/stereo near you soon are in session on the show tonight. Sounding like summer 2008 so far, they were brilliant on the Introducing Stage at Raido 1's Big Weekend in Kent recently. Check them playing their forthcoming debut single from the stage here



Also tonight - the line-up for the Introducing Stage at Suffolk's Latitude Festival is revealed!