The Great Escape

[Herr Tubthumper]

We had a mixed evening. Caught This Tawdry Affair who were poor. Bonna Apart who were pretty good not to mention bold for playing in a hotel conference room in front of 8 people. Then we went to The Hope for Chew Lips and Experiment with a Bird in an Airpump. Not too great. Coalition next...and Fan Death who didnt show so we went to the Concorde, We Have Band were fantastic. Data Rock were fun but I was so pissed I cannot remember much.

Off to a couple of talks today ('branding and bands' and The Spotify Story), breakfast and more bands and booze tonight.

 

[shoreham moonraker]

try the pop quiz at komedia at 1pm

 

[Horsham Gull]

maccabees were awesome did anyone else make it to that gig?

 

[Pantani]

the first year this festival was on i thought it was brilliant but now i remember why i didn't bother with it last year after a poor 2nd year:

- We got to Ponananas at 630pm for The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart. Waited about 10th in the queue outside for doors to open at 7pm. 7pm told to queue "the other side". 715pm, told the venue was "now full". oh well.
- went straight to the Volks, got in easy enough. Watched to non descript bands who were ok but won't be going anywhere.
- my main event, Titus Andronicus, came on at 845pm and were excellent.
- left to go to The Arc for the Ben Ottewell (from Gomez) solo show. Watched the amusing Rosie and the Goldbug finish their set. Waited 25mins for the next band to set up. Turned out not to be Ben Ottewell and when i asked, told he had cancelled (load of pointless texts all evening, where was the one for that!).
- left at 1020pm and wandered to King and Queen to catch a bit of Phantom Limb. Queue for Hockey at Hectors was massive, pointless trying there.

so, in the end i saw ONE band i wanted to see play for 30 minutes and a lot of nondescript try-hards (harsh but fair). seems the only way to do this festival is to choose one band you want to see, get there early and stay there. hardly the point and shit value for money.

I got lucky I think, didn't have to queue once, managed to see every band I wanted to as well. Probably an indication that i like the stuff that no one else does.

Yesterdays highlight for me was undoubtably Future of the Left. As tradition dictates they had a few sound difficulties. Seen them three times now, every time something stops working. Once all was up and running they tore the Sallis Benny apart, absolute genius.

Tonights plan, The Veils or Baby Venom, Hot Silk Pockets, Chew Lips, Joy Formidable, Twilight Sad, Holy f***, Mumford and Sons then Born Bad at Komedia. Much drunkeness will ensue.

 

[Horsham Gull]

going to try again to see Dananananakroyd tonight might get to see them this time

hopefully going to see tonight
Danananaykroyd
Mystery Jets
The Charlatans

 

[Pantani]

going to try again to see Dananananakroyd tonight might get to see them this time

hopefully going to see tonight
Danananaykroyd
Mystery Jets
The Charlatans

Really want to see Danananaykroyd too but they keep clashing with other stuff. They are playing Stag and Dagger fest in London at the end of the month so may try and catch them there.

 

[shoreham moonraker]

i thought the charlatans were distinctly average and tim burgess looked like shit and needs a hair cut.

 

[Springal]

Anyone going to kasabian tonight? Who is supporting? Prob can't get there till 8.30 so hoping there are a couple!

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Did 3 talks: Bands and branding (guy from Metronomy was on the panel), Spotify (I was gob-smacked that the guy is only 25. His level of intelligence, confidence and calm is unnerving) and Jon Savage with Jah Wobble. The latter was hilarious.

Bands wise Hospital Bombers, Casiokids, Dead Kids and someone else at Coalition. All good.

Tonight going to try and see Hockey and School of Seven Bells.

 

[herecomesaregular]

all is forgiven!

much better day yesterday, catching a couple of Canadian rock bands at the Arc, lunchtime, then went early to the Ocean Rooms (i do like that place for a gig) and stayed there.

a couple of indistinct bands followed by the mighty Joy Formidable, who are now the highlight so far. she's only small but great voice and great guitar work. they should make a bit of a name for themselves as they have the tunes. Sweethead were very good after (despite poor sound quality,what's with having the QOTSA guitarist and then burying his sound underneath the drums and bass?). a lot of talking when they were on and a thin crowd surprisingly. they've definitely got some tunes aswell, although early days, nothing released yet. Justin Hawkins' new band Hot Legs were good fun but (no surprise) total style over substance.

Great Escape seems a much better experience if you stay away from the scenesters, lack of jeans and winklepickers tonight thankfully.

 

[Notters]

Went to sea power and kissy sellout last night, both awesome make sure you get yourselves down to digital for some more sea power action tonight

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Hockey and School of Seven Bells.

ggggrrrr I have a clash.

 

[Pantani]

all is forgiven!

much better day yesterday, catching a couple of Canadian rock bands at the Arc, lunchtime, then went early to the Ocean Rooms (i do like that place for a gig) and stayed there.

a couple of indistinct bands followed by the mighty Joy Formidable, who are now the highlight so far. she's only small but great voice and great guitar work. they should make a bit of a name for themselves as they have the tunes. Sweethead were very good after (despite poor sound quality,what's with having the QOTSA guitarist and then burying his sound underneath the drums and bass?). a lot of talking when they were on and a thin crowd surprisingly. they've definitely got some tunes aswell, although early days, nothing released yet. Justin Hawkins' new band Hot Legs were good fun but (no surprise) total style over substance.

Great Escape seems a much better experience if you stay away from the scenesters, lack of jeans and winklepickers tonight thankfully.

Joy Formidable also my highlight of the festival so far. They are playing in Brighton again in June.

This afternoon catch Fight Like Apes at the Albert, bonkers genius.

 

[Braders]

I think the plan today is

:

2:30 Enter Shikari @ C2
OR
2:45 King Blues @ Komedia
3:00 Die!Die!Die @ Horiatios

7:15 Skint & Demorialise @ Horiatios
OR
7:30 Rouges @ Audio
8:00 Sky Larkin @ Honeyclub
8:45 iLIKETrains @ C2
9:15 Brakes @ Komedia
9:45 Idlewild @Honeyclub (preference) OR Kid British @ Oceon Rooms
10:15 White Demin @ Pavilion Theatres
11:00 Official Secrets Act @ Hope

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Joy Formidable also my highlight of the festival so far. They are playing in Brighton again in June.

This afternoon catch Fight Like Apes at the Albert, bonkers genius.

I think Joy Formidable are on tonight as well.

 

[shoreham moonraker]

brakes at komedia are a must tonight

 

[csider]

I am going to see Kasabian, can't wait!

i have heard the wrist band will not get you in there though??

you have to have a ticket for to get in.

 

[Sajerz]

Just back from enter shikari , Iv'e never been so sweaty in my life.

Mosh was awsome.

 

[southstandandy]

Boxer Rebellion at the Coalition for me - saw them last night in Southampton and they were so good I nabbed a ticket from my neighbour for tonights performance.

 

[Horsham Gull]

just come back from Kid British they were also awesome