Archives for September 2010

Every year the Branchage festival gets bigger and better, this year there were over 60 events taking place over the fours days including live music, soundtracks, parties, short films, documentaries, feature films and more.

Bubble Brain played before the Gilbert O'Sullivan film

So the final day and most of it is spent in the Jersey Opera House with a couple of hours between each film.

My first film of the day was Out On His Own: The Gilbert O'Sullivan story - a film made from Irish television telling the story - some in the past but most over the last twelve months, of this dedicated and ambitious 60 something singer songwriter.

Before the film started there were two short films with a music feel, the first the final scene in a relationship that saw a couple share out their CDs, discuss the merits of electronic music and move apart.

The second a more animated production about muso boyfriends and the thinks to watch out for.

Both were brilliant - the first in a endearing, been there, heartbreak kind of way and the second was just funny and true.

After the short film there was a song by Jersey group Bubblebrain - a sort of hip hop collective. They performed a mash-up of Alone Again (Naturally) and rapper Biz Markies Alone Again.

That was the song O'Sullivan sued Warner Bros records over - a sample of Alone Again (Naturally) was used in Alone Again.

To the film.

Raymond (aka Gilbert) was followed for a year by the crew, from his home in Jersey to Tel Aviv in Isreal, to Nashville and back to Jersey.

It shows someone who still loves music, still loves writing music and has a driving thirst for both commercial success and critical acceptance - something he has struggled to achieve in later life.

Gilbert O'Sullivan answered questions after the film

It was a funny, uncomfortable , engaging and in parts irritating film about a strange, funny, uncomfortable, engaging and in parts irritating man.

It was then time for the question and answer session, hosted by Rod Bryans and with Gilbert O'Sullivan and the films director Adrian McCarthy.

After we got a deeper insight into the thinking behind the film and behind Gilbert himself from Rod's spot on questioning it was time to ask the audience.

The first question was from someone who came across as a bit 'stalkerish' talking about going to his house, knowing where he lives and working at his house - she asked when he was going to play a concert in Jersey.

True to the theme of 'need for acceptance' established in the film - the answer was basically 'I want to but need to become critically accepted myself first'.

I met up with Billy Jam again after the Gilbert O'Sullivan performance and, as we only had an hour before the next film we decided to go back to the BBC where I was able to give him a brief tour.

After a quick chat we headed back to the Opera House to watch the Doors film, When You're Strange - telling the rise, rise, collapse, rise and fall of the late great Jim Morrison.

Unusually for a biopic of this type it doesn't include any modern footage of the people seen in the film - at least the ones still alive - instead relying on footage and interviews from the time they were active.

No Q&A for this film but there were three great performances from local acts before the film started - Giles Robson with a storming harmonica solo, Jersey Bob Vincent playing Light my fire and a group who's name I didn't catch paying tribute to the Doors.

So, time for a bite to eat and a break before heading back to the Opera House for the penultimate event of the Branchage film festival.

This years festival has been an amazing success, so many varied, unusual, sometimes surreal but always brilliantly challenging events - something everyone can sink their teeth into and enjoy.

A cultural experience that would still be seen as impressive in a major city - but in Jersey is a defining moment of the year.

The band played a number of cricket related songs

he final film, fittingly, was one with a Jersey connection called Out of the Ashes. It was the tale of the rise and rise of the Afghanistan cricket team.

Before the film started there was a group of Jersey jazz musicians in front of the stage, they performed a number of cricket related songs including, to much applause Soul Limbo" by the American soul band Booker T. & the M.G.'s (aka the Test Match Special Theme).

The film is a real tale of human determination and struggle, it's a film that somebody who really doesn't get cricket, like me, can still enjoy, cry at, laugh at and leave you wanting to follow more from the team.

Roger Bara quizzed Leslie Knott and Geoff Boycott

There was a Q&A after the film with the films producer, Leslie Knott and cricketing legend Geoff Boycott - hosted by BBC Jersey's own sporting legend - Roger Bara.

Then it was time to head out into the cold for a walk down to Albert Pier to watch an 85 year old Russian propaganda film projected on a screen sat in the middle of the water on top of the Duke of Normandy tug boat.

The film, a genre defining moment in cinema history, was brought to life by the brilliant Zombie Zombie, a French free form electro-jazz duo playing acoustic synths and drums.

This wasn't supposed to be the final moment of the festival, it had to be moved relatively late in the day - but that was to its benefit as it was a great farewell to an amazing weekend.

Bring on Branchage 2011 but it's going to be tough for them to top 2010.

We're now three day's into this four day festival of arts, film, music and culture and it feels like things are only just getting started.

Lourdes was shown in the Town Church

Then on the second day I watched a Japanese krautecore band in All Saints Church perform to a Japanese black comedy animation and watched a film about the late, great, Bill Hicks.

So it's now Saturday and, apart from a couple of hours chasing my seven year old son around town, it's been a language fest.

My first Branchage event involved entering another church and sitting on yet another pew - if churches really wanted to get more people in they could start by doing something about those seats.

Anyway, back to the point - the film I saw was Lourdes, a French language film about a group of pilgrims by director Jessica Hausner.

The first thing that surprised me was the amount of access the filmmakers had been given to Lourdes itself, the second was how brilliantly Jessica Hausner had managed to walk along the line between critical and reverential.

The film centres on Christine, a woman in a wheelchair with Multiple Sclerosis who is a veteran of pilgrimages as, in her own words "it's the only way I get out".

The film seems to be unusually slow, even for a French film, although it could just be the pews making me think it was slower than it actually was.

Throughout you follow Christine and over pilgrims as they visit the baths, the grotto and of course - the souvenir shop.

It is a tale of miracle and faith but through the diverse cast you also get the sense of exploitation, curiousness and scepticism.

There is also a lot of humour in the film. In one scene a priest, a nurse and a guide are talking and the priest shares a joke.

In the joke Christ, the Holy Ghost and the Virgin Mary are talking about places on Earth they would like to visit.

Eventually the Holy Ghost suggests Lourdes. The Virgin Mary then says "Great, I've never been there before."

The Town Church was a beautiful setting for the film, like many films at Branchage, it was the perfect backdrop for the subject.

So, after a couple of hours away from Branchaging it was time to get to the Arts Centre for my second 'non-English' film of the day.

Jersey-French musician Pevin Kinel opened for Seperado

Gruff Rhys, he of Super Furry Animals decided to head to Argentina to discover the Welsh colony in Patagonia.

The film, Separado, is a sci-fi, comedy, history documentary, road-movie musical.

Gruff spends the film playing small gigs to people not expecting the music he plays, discovering more about himself, his family and the Welsh and in search of Rene Griffiths, a Welsh speaking Argentinean Gaucho he is related to.

It's interesting to see just how many people still speak Welsh in what has now been Argentinean for several generations and how much they still admire their roots and traditional heritage.

A large portion of the film is in Welsh but there are also segments in Spanish, Portuguese and English.

The Portuguese mainly comes from a guy in Brazil who invented his own instrument the "Guitaro".

During a Q&A afterwards, where subjects as diverse as the French invasion of Les Ecrehous and making experimental music, Gruff tells us you can now buy a Guitaro by e-mailing the guy.

I have a lot of instruments but I'm not sure an electronic percussion instrument in the shape of a scythe is something I'll rush out to buy.

So, on to the Live Lounge for the Club Kamikaze, Stars in your Face party.

It took a while to get started, nobody turned up until about 22:30, but then it was a Saturday night in St Helier and it had some pretty stiff competition - there was a LOT going on around town.

Eventually things got going with Brobot II performing an electro interpretation of the music of the films of Spielberg - the Star Wars mix was a bit of a stretch for Spielberg - but brilliant all the same.

Pirate Video Company played Club Kamikaze

Next up was the brilliant post-punk Pirate Video Company, performing a mix of their own songs and the music of John Hughes.

This is where the crowd started to swell and the music of PVC seemed to hit something.

Three men in bunny suits, a couple of sailors and other costumes I couldn't completely placed danced among the appreciative audience for this young Jersey three piece.

Then it was something completely different, a long serving member of the Jersey music scene and a two piece (bass and rums), it was sludge-metal duo, Falenizza Horsepower.

They performed music from the films of Quentin Tarantino - heavy, thrashy, a glorious mosh fuelling frenzy.

Finally DJ Men in Masks, AKA comedian Jeff Leach comes to the decks - this is the moment I realised I was falling asleep despite the smoke machine, music, man in mask at the decks and insane lights.

I went home so I could be fresh for the final day where I watch three films at the Jersey Opera House and one on a tug boat.

So my third day involved a French language film about pilgrims, a Welsh language film about the Argentinians and three Jersey bands playing music from movies.

Tomorrow: Gilbert O'Sullivan, The Doors, the Afghanistan Cricket Team and Battleship Potempkin.

Billy Jam broadcast from the Spiegeltent

The first part of the day was spent in the Spiegeltent, the centre piece of this ever growing event.

The Spiegeltent is a 19th century mirror tent, built originally as a mobile dance hall in Belgium for areas of the country that didn't have proper dance halls.

In this case it had become home to Billy Jam, a hip-hop DJ for non-commercial, listener supported New Jersey radio station, WFMU.

This is the second year Billy has been to Jersey and he was broadcasting in the breakfast slot from old Jersey to New Jersey.

His show included live music from Jersey's own The Wizz as well as tracks from Jersey musicians and interviews with people from the island - including Constable Crowcroft and a potato farmer.

It was a great experience to watch someone with that much talent as a broadcaster work, he's developed a real passion for Jersey over the last two years and it just seems to be growing with each visit.

Janey Doyle came down from our studio in Parade Road with the Woody, a piece of broadcast kit that lets us go live from around the island in great quality.

Getting the cues exactly right, Janey took her seat next to Billy as Chris Rayner, presenting Hometime on BBC Jersey, introduced her.

For five minutes on Friday 24 September Jersey and New Jersey were connected by radio, the same thing being broadcast between old and new.

So, after that it was back to the office to get ready to go to church for the first time in about a decade.

It wasn't far from the BBC Jersey offices to the next event - just down the road to the pink topped All Saints Church.

I took my seat on the pew as bubbles from a liquid coated projector covered the ceiling and the Oscillation prepared to perform.

Looking down on us from above was a crucifix with a light show surrounding and reflecting off it.

After a longer than expected, but more than welcome, set by the Oscillation there was a short break where Vimto, orange juice and water was handed out in return for a small donation to the church.

What happened next was something out of this world.

Watch the Cat Soup and Bo Ningen video posted by Billy Jam on YouTube.

The lights go down, the projector starts up and the band, Bo Ningen, a Japanese Krautcore wall of sound and long hair get ready.

Live scores have become a highlight of the Branchage festival and this one certainly wasn't a let down - even if the pew wasn't the most comfortable seat I've used this weekend.

The film the band where scoring was the award winning cartoon, Cat Soup, by Japanese director, Tatsuo Sato.

It tells the tale of a cat whose sister is ill and dying, he steals back half of her soul and then goes on an insane, comic and tragic journey involving god, eating a living pig and an elephant made of water to recover her the rest of her soul and make her 'normal'.

The film was insane but Bo Ningen's live score was something else, it was as surreal as the movie but brilliantly evocative and insane - have I used that word already?

Screeching guitars, perfectly timed and pushed drums and glorious screams at times, then softer, gentle, almost eerie melody, brought the scenes on the screen to life.

Unfortunately I didn't see the end, I wanted to get to the Arts Centre in time to catch American: The Bill Hicks story.

The film tells the story of his life from his first taste of comedy as a teenager, through the super-stardom of Britain and back to the USA as he lives out the rest of his tragically short life with his family in Austin, Texas.

The film uses a new and interesting technique involving the many many photographs taken of Bill during his life and stitching them together to semi-animate his life story.

It included interviews with his family and the people he worked with in Austin, his best friend and others.

It was a sad, tragic and hilarious tale of someone obsessed with making people laugh, making people think and experience.

Comedian Jeff Leach was in the audience for the film, he was due to perform the next day as part of Comedy Rocks at Branchage.

He posted to Twitter after the film: "I just watched 'American: The Bill Hicks Story' at Branchage Film Festival. Deeply moved, and very upset. Questioning my comedy."

So, second day of Branchage for me involved a day in the Spiegeltent watching live radio, being shocked and awed by a Japanese band playing music alongside a Japanese
black comedy animation.

Then laughed, cried and thought as I watched the story of a genius American comedian who was bigger in Britain than at home.

Tomorrow - a film about pilgrims in a church in French, a film about a Welshman in Argentina in Welsh, Spanish and English and a party at the Live Lounge with Jersey bands playing the music of the movies.

Tamara Drewe opened the Branchage festival

Over the four days I will be seeing dozens of films, musical performances and shows.

The first day's event was the opening night gala performance of Tamara Drewe.

Enter stage left, or was it stage right? It was stage somewhere - I wasn't really watching as I was anticipating speeches.

A woman with surprisingly good posture in a floral leotard pulling along what looks like a large children's toy train.

In the middle of the stage was a rope.

The good posture woman crossed the stage - slowly - to plinky plonky music - almost a live action scene from a silent movie.

Music changes, she returns and heads straight for the rope in the middle of the stage.

What followed was a captivating, sensational, edge of the seat performance that saw her climb to the top, hang, swing and fall - while on the rope.

Speech time - it's a captive and polite audience - these guys have put on a compelling, alternative and cultural program of entertainment.

I think they would get applause if they stood there insulting the audience one by one - they don't.

They thank sponsors, share funny stories and talk us through the next four days of events.

Branchage organisers introducing the rest of the weekend

I resisted the urge to cheer the BBC films logo.

The film is Tamara Drewe, a Stephen Frears adaptation of the Posy Simmonds Guardian comic strip based on the Thomas Hardy novel, Far From the Madding Crowd.

This was a slightly strange choice for an opening gala performance at a festival that has previously had the documentary Man on Wire and the Werner Hertzog tale of cold people and penguins, Encounters at the End of the World.

It wasn't an awful film; in fact it was a very good film - in parts.

The characters were compelling, the soundtrack spot on, the performances perfectly engaging and Tamsin Greig captured the long suffering Beth brilliantly.

Then there were Stephen Frears shots, just simple throwaway shots you barely notice but which create laughs in their own right - like the dog waiting outside.

And Gemma Arterton..... ahhhh.

The two teenage girls carry most of the film though, putting adult language in a child's voice can go one of two ways - it can be brilliant or uncomfortable - this was brilliant.

But as a whole it felt a bit like an amazing picture, a brilliant collage with one fault - it was missing the glue.

All the parts were there but they hadn't quite been stuck together properly - however, as a couple of hours of escapism full of laughs - it was great.

Hannah Patterson and Roger Allam

Providing the Q part was Hannah Patterson, daughter of Jersey resident and thriller novelist, Harry Patterson (aka Jack Higgins).

Roger Allam is a compelling stage presence, supporting a full-bodied beard, he knows how to read and play a crowd - especially when asked to deliver a snippet of Falstaff on tap - which he does brilliantly.

Tamara Drewe was an odd choice for Branchage as an opening night film - something like Super Furry Animals star Gruff Rhys Latino-welsh comedy musical, Seperado - may have been more fitting of the 'ethos'.

But that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy myself, I had an amazing time watching what is - despite a minor binding problem - a very good film - in parts.

And maybe opening with a film like Tamara Drewe is a sign of maturity for this boutique festival that is growing at an impressive pace, with the most challenging and compelling program to date.

A great start to what looks set to be a busy but fun weekend.

Tomorrow - I'll be live across New Jersey with Billy Jam, watching London River, Bo Ningen, The Bill Hicks Story and anything else I can fit in.

Emille Collins with Constable Simon Crowcroft (photo courtesy of Team Voice)

Emille Collins was born in 1912 in St Helier, lived through the Nazi occupation of Jersey and has been an active political campaigner for most of his life.

He first joined a political party in 1944, the Jersey Democratic Union, where a few brave individuals would meet at a house in Stopford Road, St Helier.

This was during the occupation when political activity was punishable by death.

A Jersey blogging group, known as Team Voice, commissioned a bronze bust of Mr Collins earlier this year to celebrate his life.

In a post at the time they said:

"We have chosen to commission this "one off" portrait because we want him recognised now and by future generations as one of the unsung people who have campaigned so that we all might enjoy the privileges of a democratic society."

Now, as he marks his 98th birthday the Parish of St Helier will be celebrating the life of one of its longest standing residents.

On Tuesday 21 September a small reception will be held at the Town Hall from 1pm where Constable Simon Crowcroft and guests will celebrate his life and unveil the bronze portrait commissioned by Team Voice.

The sculptor of the portrait was Alan Dun who said it was important to celebrate age and experience.

"To meet Emille in his advanced years is truly inspirational. At 97 his acuity and interest in the life of his community and its aspirations is amazing.

"For a sculptor, Emille is a wonderful subject, constantly animated with a mischievous sense of fun, beneath which lies a seriousness perhaps born from the many experiences of a long life.

"The sculpture was modelled in one session for which Emille sat patiently for over two hours, reminiscing about Jersey in past times as well as offering his views on contemporary life."

Emille was born in a house behind the Old England pub in St Helier on 21 September 1912.

He trained as a carpenter after finishing school and remained with the same business until retirement in 1977. He was a member of the local branch of the T&GW Union for woodworkers.

To this day he still has a lively interest in political issues, is 'member number 1' of the Jersey Democratic Alliance and is a regular caller to the BBC Jersey lunchtime phone-in.

In the second part of BBC Jersey's Blast reporter Sam Falle's Jersey Live review he looks at the second day of the event including Magic Numbers, Lizard Channel and the headliners.

This is his report.

Darwin Deez played the festival twice

Sunday

My day begins at the main-stage with London scenesters Chapel Club who have been making waves in London over the last six months.

Their brooding and atmospheric tunes would likely be better suited to a slot after sundown rather than the middle of the afternoon. Their sound feels like the Cure's darker moments sped up with Ian Curtis on vocals.

For the most part it works, for the rest it is either self-indulgent or inspired depending on who you ask. Regardless, these nu-gloom poster boys hold their own upon this stage.

I then catch melody masters The Magic Numbers give the mainstage audience a lesson in singing and song craft.

Their Americana indie-rock is very much the sound of five years ago, but these songs are resilient and their later material shows a maturity, darker and more complex.

We enjoy a relaxed and professional set from an extremely accomplished band. Anthems such as 'Love Me Like You', "Love's a game' go down a storm and classic 'Forever Lost' provokes the strongest crowd reaction of the day so far.

Tease and MAGIC

Back at the Wild West Tease stage, local ska-punk collective Lizard Channel is causing chaos. These guys are hot in Jersey by virtue of their talent for creating a party atmosphere.

Yes, the music is all a bit 1994, but this does not stop the audience from getting a thrill out of awesome trumpet and trombone playing over fast punk rock.

Now on at the Les Inrock stage is Animal Collective-a-likes, Django Django.

Though briefly quite entertaining, the band's abject refusal to Create a drop, a moment where the music really 'kicks in' means that their set becomes wearing and the abortive ending does little to inspire the throng.

They produce interesting loops and noise and it is always good to see lots of people beating up the drum kit. Nevertheless it is hard to stay engaged with Django Django.

I head over to the Wild West Tease to see local punk rockers Hold Your Fire! Having just texted their way to victory at Surface Unsigned West, I am keen to see how these guys are getting on.

The crowd isn't great at this stage of the day in the tent, however, Hold Your Fire! Put on a solid and fast show.

Elements of Strung Out, Bad Religion and A Wilhelm Scream punctuate their punk rock and some nicely choreographed jumping moments keep up the momentum of their set. Entertaining.

"dance around like mentalists"

I now wonder into the hospitality area to catch Darwin Deez. It is strange that this band dance around like mentalists to such lightweight music.

I suppose this I part of their vibe but it runs of the risk of becoming intensely annoying, particularly the androgynous guitarist who insists on thrashing around to the most low key moments.

Still Darwin Deez creates open-minded dreamy pop songs: fun, if a little fickle.

The Bloody Battle is on now in the Wild West Tease. Assembled from the ashes of The Author and The Black Stats, tonight, The Bloody Battle sound like Queens Of The Stone Age battering Kasabian to a pulp. It's loud and dark and angry and they win a lot of new fans.

Few would envy Brave Yesterday for having a slot, which clashes with main stage headliner Paul Weller.

This clash does reduce their crowd, but those watching have a great show. Brave Yesterday have come along way over the last year and this is particularly true musically as their new material showcases their growing knack for writing epic rock anthems.

Sonically somewhere between Moneen and Biffy Clyro, Brave Yesterday blast through their songs 'We Own The Night', 'Paper Tigers and 'The Truth Is'.

Brave Yesterday round off my festival experience with an encore of Biffy Clyro's 'Who's Got A Match?' which has the tent moving.

BBC Jersey's Blast reporter for 2010 was Quick and the Dead member and aspiring journalist, Sam Falle.

Sam spent the weekend at the Jersey Live festival watching the local acts as well as the big names to give us his take on the 'Jersey' scene at the islands biggest music event.

This is his report.

Fenech-Soler played on the main stage at Jersey Live on Saturday

Saturday

My weekend begins with the sound of Pirate Video Company opening the Les Inrocks stage. Though the meticulously thorough security checkpoint - which rivals Gatwick - means I miss the beginning of their set, I can hear the opening strains of their track 'Metonymy' enticing me into the arena.

Runner-up in the JL battle of the bands, Pirate Video Company benefit from the powerful bass rig in place on the revamped Les Inrocks stage. It's a punishing half hour of dance punk and a great start the weekend.

Next up on the Les Inrock stage are Jerseylive favourites The Valentines. These guys keep coming back over for another slice of the festival. Once upon a time, The Valentines were a Jersey band who moved to Brighton.

Now this connection is only alive in frontman Christian Jegard and a clutch of old songs.

Now surrounded by a cast of Brightonians, Jegard's new Valentines have reimagined the band's Libertines-esque leanings using a Roxy Music flavour and image. It works.

Wild West Tease

I then head to the Wild West Tease stage to catch more local music action. This tent will host a lot of local talent during Jerseylive. It is testament to the strength of the local scene that there is two days worth of quality home grown live music.

I watch junior beach rockers The Wizz please a burgeoning crowd, singer Isaac Evans' confidence seems to grow with each passing gig and he effortlessly controls this festival set.

I then head into the hospitality area and grab a bowl of lamb tagine. The sudden burning pain in my pocket is due to inevitably steep festival prices. But the quantity and quality of what I get serves as an ample palliative.

Jerseylive has looked intently across the pond to the east this year with a gaggle of Gailic bands taking to the Les Inrocks and Mainstage.

Main stage

It probably isn't fair to criticise a band for being too similar to one of their peers but in this instance, it is a fact; Fenech Soler put on a fun show, frontman dancing like he's just left a salsa class.

It's hard as nails to pull off this sort of dance rock fusion, but their closeness in sound to Friendly Fires means I cannot help but think that Fenech Soler were not the organiser's first choice. Total doppelgangers.

It is now getting close to my own stage time - my band Quick and the Dead are playing in the Wild West Tease tent very soon - but I am extremely keen to grab an interview with Biffy Clyro.

I'm watching my watch as DJ Ryan Morrison and I wait on the band that is for many the centre-point of the whole weekend.

Unfortunately they are having an argument and my own band mates are texting me relentlessly asking me to set up. So we snag an interview with The View instead and then I am running.

Quick and the Dead's set goes well. We have a great crowd in spite of the clash with Chase and Status on the Mainstage.

At one point I jump into the crowd knocking over a guy in the first row who promptly spills his drink all over himself. As Karmic realignment, in the process, I manage to tear my guitar lead apart.

After the set, a crowd of thousands watch Biffy Clyro decimate the Mainstage. The Jerseylive audience are treated to a set almost exclusively built out of hits from their last two albums Puzzle and Only Revolutions.

The only foray into older material comes early in their set with the disco-meets-post-hardcore sound of 'Glitter and Trauma' from their third record 'Infinity Land'. As a fan of the band, I am disappointed not to hear more of their earlier material; no 'Just Boy', '27', '57', 'Questions and Answers' or even 'There's No Such Thing As A Jaggy Snake' which they played only last week at Reading Festival.

But such is the nature of a small festival set where the crowd will only really know the material from after they blew up. Though some say their set was too short for a main support slot, there is no shortage of epic moments tonight and such a show begs the question as to what mountainous heights this band will scale next.

To round of the day I catch the headliners of the Les Inrocks Stage, Paris band Jamaica.

A glowing 80's abandon resonates throughout their set. They perform a tongue in cheek cover of Police classic 'Message In A Bottle' and their closer 'When are you guna stop working' have dancing around like a gang of nuts.

Jamaica's music makes violent demands of the audience; their breakdowns echo early-Biffy and the brilliance of this sound only serves to highlight what was lacking in their influencer's own set.

My last and likely unnecessary meal of the day comes in the form of a pie and mash with mushy peas and gravy. At the could-be-worse price of £5:50, it is delicious and very filling. Plus there is no queue.

I leave the festival as mainstage headliner Groove Armada's 'If you're fond of Sand Dunes and Salty Air' fills the arena. The song serves as a euphoric and wistful soundtrack to the close of an excellent day of live music.

In her second and final guest blog post from Jersey Live, BBC Jersey's Carrie Cooper reflects on the festival and the difference between the two days.

This is her report.

Chapel Club at Jersey Live 2010

As predicted the atmosphere had relaxed in comparison to the day before. Rug spread, in the breeze I settled down to hear Brighton band Peggy Sue, formerly known as Peggy Sue and the Pirates.

Closely followed by east London-based fivesome The Chapel Club who played, tight, honestly and intelligently.

Half way through the set they played a version of Dream A Little Dream Of Me, turning the more familiar sweetness of the melody into more haunting yet pretty piece. It's always interesting to see varied people recognise a track, even when they're not sure why.

I decided to bite the bullet, and in the spirit of the festival 'feel' get my hair madly curled.

A salon had been set up in aid of local brain injury charity Headway so I took full advantage of the full volume on offer. Bouncing curls, and apprehensive smile I took leave for the next band.

Seeking out the hot tip from yesterday I headed in the direction of Cabidzi, the French horn blowing, cello playing, beat boxing, flamenco singing delight. A look around the crowd suggested that people weren't sure what they had come across but seemed delighted that they had.

I stepped away in search of water and spoke to various acquaintances who had heard a crazy rumour that Noel Gallagher would be appearing alongside Paul Weller that evening.

Amusing to see how such whispers carry, people exchanging fivers, betting on the odds of his appearance. Back to reality for me.

Django Django, psyche pop four piece played a mix of electronic folk. Rumour has it they they're named after one of Django Reinhardt's teachers, who had a terrible stutter and always struggled with the Belgian jazz guitar legend's name when he called the register. Perhaps....

Paul Weller at Jersey Live 2010

We found ourselves in the Dance Arena for the first time of the day to be greeted by the British DJ, Jaguar Skills. He'd cut and looped the line form King Of The Swingers "Jungle VIP" *repeat*. The rest of the crowd filled in the obviously missing lyrics. Hyped hip hop, and drum & bass rolled on.

Although the crowd was young, there was a certain shift in the atmosphere to this arena on the Sunday. It seemed everyone knew what they'd come to hear.

So the main event was drawing near. Paul Weller was to arrive on stage opening with Peacock Suit, a familiar and reassuring start.

New material ensued and of course Stanley road classics. Small children sat on shoulders of guardians, faces painted, wide eyes, all the while revelers mindful of the young.

Unexpectedly, Jam material emerged with "Start", a giant crowd chorus of "and what you GIVE is what you GET!"

You probably will have guessed by now that my Dad never made it back for day two. Perhaps memories of more a dangerous, hedonistic time are better preserved by memory.

One thing that be said of Jersey Live, is that no matter how 'catered for' you think you are there is always something beautifully unexpected to find. The trick, I think, is to stay on the move, with an open mind and open ears.

Ears wide open for Jersey Live 2011.

The 2010 Jersey Live festival is bigger than ever before with bands from around the world performing across the festivals seven stages over the two days.

BBC Jersey are at the festival in force and our very own tame DJ, Carrie Cooper, has been hanging out around the showground.

This is her report from day one.

For months talk of "you going to JL?", "what you wearing to JL?", "how you getting up to JL?". In July a cousin asked me "what time are you going up to JL on the Sunday"? Seriously.

So it's fair to say by the time it arrives it's with mixed feelings I attend. It can be nerve wracking approaching large events at the best of times, but somehow in Jersey that can be heightened by the fact that you have probably crossed lives with a large chunk of the people present.

I shuffled around the ticket allocation shed, sweating in a black dress, rucksack weighed down by radio equipment, CDs, and vanity apparatus, wondering if, after all this JL bombardment of the last 6 months I was going to get in at all. It took an hour for me to find out. So we're in.

First stop was the Jersey Telecom Recharge tent where the relatively new outfit The Audio were furiously at it, while smily, fezzie dressed Jerseyites jigged with about with anticipation for the day.

The Audio's more recognizable members of the band are Jim Dolan formerly of The Author and irrepressible lovable scouser Keith Cummins aka Keith Saxman (a saxophone normally so ever present it kind of threw me to see him without it). They were well received and when an encore was called for, being a newish band, had to return to the first track.

Time to move on. So I strolled through main field, gorgeous blue skies peppered with billowing silky flags and practically tripped over my younger, 19 year old brother. He was with his 'crew' who were already looking quite 'involved' at this point.

They were sharing a checkered rug with someone's mum and other family members, both generations taking in We Have Band. My brother's day was all about Professor Green's performance later.

Embarrassingly perhaps, I have no idea what this guy is about, so keep quiet. I grabbed my brother and we made our way through to the front to catch Darwin Deez a group from New York who describe themselves as "indie rock with a side of calisthenics".

They had always struck me as the kind of guys you'd definitely have around for tea. Silly, considerate and would do the washing up. It translated to the Jersey Live stage where they encouraged crowd chanting, unison arm waving and jumped off the stage behind the barrier to perform an impromptu dance routine. Without irony, I suspect.

Spirits raised and getting too cosy with others in the small triangle of shade under the main stage I moved on.

Great idea though, and good opportunity for local dedicated DJs, of different genres to hang out and listen to each other, where they otherwise might not visit 'competing' nights.

My first visit to the dance tent was to visit battle predator, clubrocker, scratch music pioneer and upcoming producer DJ Rafik. The younger crowd were in full force taking in the German former DMC champion's undeniable skills.

As I often feel with these sorts of DJ's, when they perform for a large crowd, sometimes the music used to demonstrate the skills is compromised, almost overlooked in favour of technicality.

We walked into Rafik scratchig over Sneaker Pimp's "Spin Spin Sugar", which I imagine if you're younger and hearing it for the first time can be quite exciting. The room was jumping and grins were wide.

Notable highlight in the Dance Arena for me was French electro house duo Teenage Bad Girl who provided me with my first dance of the day. It has to be said access to the Dance Arena was much more straight forward than any other years I've known.

Soon after I stumbled across my Dad on the grass and we took a stroll around reflecting on festivals 'in his day'. He talked of the evolution of festivals and got the feeling he missed the days of flat out 70 rock and serious misbehaving.

The beauty of a music event like Jersey Live though where generations can collide, be catered for and celebrate the island and today's music is undeniably a gift for Jersey.

The Les Inrocks Magic Stage which hosts numerous emerging artists from the UK and Europe perform was pretty special.

Memorable moments were We Are Enfant Terrible and electronic band Rubin Steiner, with roots of Jean Michel Jarre who's frontman performed in a horse's head. They spoke not a word of English to the crowd and each band member smoked throughout. Oui, oui.

If I was to recommend a must-do today it would be to catch Cabadzi. French Hip Hop accompanied by a French horn, cello, beatboxing and Darwin Deez's drummer. Such a strange yet effective blend of sounds.

I imagine the crowd will be a little more grown up today and everyone will have relaxed into the spirit of of the weekend.

So my plan is to spend a lot more time around the main stage taking in Django Django, The Magic Numbers, Kate Nash and try to squeeze in a dance to Jaguar Skills.

Toying with the idea of getting my hair 'bouffed' at the festival salon, get some facial reflexology and taking advantage of the excellent grub. Of course Paul Weller will be in field providing the day with a real "there's a STAR in room" vibe.

As with all festivals a plan for the day really isn't worth the paper it's written on and with any luck I will be guided into as many unexpected fantastic musical moments as I was yesterday. Time to consult the wardrobe. What to wear? What to WEAR?????

You can see photos of the festival updated throughout the weekend on the BBC Jersey Flickr stream or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

On stage with the doves at Jersey Live 2009

Jersey Telecom are a headline sponsor of the Jersey Live music festival and this weekend, at 6pm on Saturday a photographer for the company will go on stage at Jersey Live and take a photo of the crowd.

That photo will then be put on the companies Facebook page where people in the crowd - expected to be in the thousands - will be able to 'tag' themselves.

If it works this will be the islands largest ever tagged photo.

Tim Ringsdore, MD of the CI Division of Jersey Telecom, said: "We wanted to mark the occasion with a photo that captures the essence of the festival and brings people together via social networking to reinforce the shared community values of the island, Jersey Telecom and Jersey Live."

The photo will be uploaded to www.facebook.com/JerseyTelecom on Monday 6 September.

But this isn't the social media use around the festival.

Organisers have been making announcements and sharing photos of the build, bands have been posting on Twitter that they're looking forward to playing and people have been sharing their preparation stories.

@canDeeanne posted on Twitter that she's pleased the weather looks good for the weekend as she "won't be needing my wellies!"

And Jersey favourites @The_Valentines said they "Will be returning to jersey live this weekend!! See you at the lesinrocks."

@jerseybungeeltd hint at something interesting around the festival.

They tweeted: "Gearing up for Jersey Live! We've got both bungees, BIG Bouncy Castles & ..... Sumo Wrestling suits!! Here's to a fun w/end."

And @steveolawrence is "getting psyched for Jersey Live with some old school Biffy. Hope they'll play some of these tunes! Questions and Answers."

Dance arena act @RicoTubbs commented on the photo used on the Jersey Live website: "Jersey Live Saturday! (They still got the pic with dreads for some reason.. :-)..."

I will be at the festival all weekend taking pictures, speaking to people and asking for your thoughts on the event.

See you at the Showground.