Over 50 performances, seminars and events at the Greenbelt Tree Of Life festival on 26th-29th August are put under the critical microscope by the Cross Rhythms reviews team.
Continued from page 1
GARETH DAVIES-JONES - Christian Aid Tent - 3.30pm
Aid has never seemed more colourful. The tables have a montage of
multi-coloured leaflets, the Surefish Bowl Café is doing a roaring
trade, Christian Aid's Digging Deep: Getting To The Roots Of Poverty
posters seem to adorn every surface and the tent is packed with
chattering people. Possibly not the likeliest place to hear an
acoustic singer/songwriter but Gareth Davies Jones is a fully fledged
have-guitar-will-travel journeyman and with his involvement with Fair
Trade causes has taken to the challenge like the proverbial
water-approaching duck. Songs of faith ("The further I go the more I'm
convinced/Someone stood in for me") and justice ("Pay off the debt
that's around our necks") ring out. My attention wanders a bit due to
a group at a table consisting of a Franciscan friar, a husband, wife
and children who talk very loudly through Gareth's songs. But finally
they leave and Gareth's "Reflections", as peaceful and tranquil as its
title, draws me in even if the babble of noise around my table means I
miss some of Gareth's poetic lyrics. Gareth tries a sing-along and
soon James Taylor's "You've Got A Friend" has at least some of the
chatterers singing. And so the tremendous set continues with the truly
haunting melody "If I Was Jesus" with its cutting lyrics and "Streets"
with its painful images of street children. The final song, a haunting
"what's it all about," is a beautiful low key closer. Great set, shame
about the audience.
Tony Cummings
ZEALOUS -
Stage 2 - 3.40pm
You could call it ironic that Zealous
kick off their set early with "Time" or like everyone else bar me find
it completely irrelevant! These guys certainly are a tight outfit,
whose tireless gigging across the country has helped hone each track
played here today. They also have the novel idea of supplying us with
party bags to keep us entertained once the music stops. It does,
however, lead to a lot of whistle blowing which quickly gets on my
nerves! However most people seem to like it. Their brand of
art/Brit-rock is met with mixed reactions but nonetheless it cannot be
denied that these fellas are a talented trio, capable of writing
catchy memorable and well crafted tunes. Where they do fall short is
with their lyrics; this is very much a horizontal band rather
thanvertical - although their more recently written songs are from a
more Christian stance. Their last song particularly has a much more
spiritual element. The band will never be as overtly Christian as were
Zedisforzebra (whom two of Zealous were members). However the guys
play very well with a high level of professionalism that definitely
leaves its mark on the audience.
Greg Sammons
STEVE STOCKMAN - Cabaret: Gold Cup - 4pm
Steve
Stockman's talk covers U2's recent Vertigo tour, the Ubuntu theology
of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the prophetic impact they could have on
our western culture. He is a chaplain at Queens University and author
of Walk On - The Spiritual Journey of U2 (Relevant Books). Steve
Stockman begins his talk by commenting that U2's songs were
increasingly being used in worship, so with this in mind we all sing
"Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For", accompanied by Michael
McDermot on guitar, as an opening prayer. Steve comments that both
South Africa and Northern Ireland have had a ceasefire for 10 years
now and speaks of the Ubuntu theology encouraged by Desmond Tutu and
the connection between Ubuntu and the songs and philosophy of U2. He
explains that Ubuntu means "I can only be me through you," that we are
all interdependent on each other and there should be quality for
everyone. When we start to see God in one another we become dependent
on one another. To achieve peace in this world we must not break the
circle of our dependency on each other. Steve reflects on Bono's lyric
"all because of you, I am" which illustrates the Ubuntu theology,
although this particular lyric could be interpreted to mean many
things. We are treated to accounts of U2's recent tour. He sums up the
meaning of the whole tour with one word - "Everyone", again reflecting
the philosophy of Ubuntu. The talk ends with an "any questions"
session.
Ruth Saint
PAUL CUDBY, NcHANT - Sovereign Lounge - 11.15 pm
Under the title Faith And Doubt After Disaster, this quiet and
intimate service is held in the peaceful Sovereign Lounge at the end
of the day on Saturday. It is led by Paul Cudby of Divine Space with
singing provided by nChant, the group fronted by Paul's wife Alison
(older readers will remember the couple in Eve And The Garden). The
service is well attended and Paul is very welcoming; explaining that
this service is for anyone struggling with faith issues in the wake of
recent natural and human-made disasters such as the tsunami and the
London bombings, but also for anyone who for whatever reason feels at
odds with God. He encourages us to be honest with God in the way we
feel, and that this is okay, and to bring our doubts to God in prayer
during the course of the service. Part of the opening prayer includes
these poignant words: "Do not snuff out our light/Kindle what spark we
have left/Hear our complaint, for we do not understand why you have
permitted tragedy/Hear our complaint, for we thought you were a loving
God/Hear our complaint and do not judge us, as we do not judge each
other."
This prayer is followed by a series of short stories reflecting faith
and doubt after disaster, interspersed with singing by nChant. Between
readings and prayers we are invited to participate in the pouring of
water and to leave personal prayers at a display of the empty tomb. An
adaptation of the Creed from "Alternative Worship " (Johny Baker et
al) is spoken by all and the service is concluded by nChant, with a
blessing by Paul Cudby. A very moving service, tenderly led.
Ruth
Saint
BLACKTOP - Stage 2 - 4.20pm
From the first strum
of the guitars it is clear that these guys are emo through and through
(it's just a weird knack I have!), although perhaps their hair and
clothes are the best clue! This six-piece include three guitarists,
which create a wonderfully layered sound and still leave space for
keyboards and duel-vocals too. A well-polished sound that fits every
emo stereotype but with one crucial difference - it's positive. Whilst
most emo is deeply introspective and negative, most of my friends pass
it off as whinging, this band has something worth singing about and
how they sing! The duel-vocals skirt between the almost-talking style
ala Mewithoutyou and the shrieking style more akin with their
contemporaries. Sadly after a while the songs start to blur into one
another as they remain close to their well-trodden structure. Some
more original moments try to hide their lack of diversity but sadly
fail, leaving a narrow but healthy audience enjoying the set. By the
time the emo craze has died down in a couple of years I hope these
guys have reinvented themselves somewhat.
Greg Sammons
ONEHUNDREDHOURS - North Stage - 4.30pm
Having
warmed up last night in the YMCA big tent, Onehundredhours now play
their second ever gig at Greenbelt. Fresh from their tour with Daniel
Bedingfield, the band are well received. Today the crowd has thinned:
After The Fire have finished and the oldies have left. What's amazing
about this band is that they achieve such a big sound from what is
effectively a threesome. (Tori, the fourth member, provides backing
vocals). They play straight-forward North American rock 'n' roll, and
I like it. Opening with the well known "Taste And See", the set is
easy listening without being boring. Every once in a while Tre
Sheppard, lead vocalist and guitarist, does something tasty with
feedback or scrunches a chord somehow. "River Wide" gives opportunity
for Mrs Tori Sheppard to offer countrified vocals, complete with
Stetson. Bassist Mark Sampson's "I Believe In Love" hooks us all - we
are told it is his last gig but the tour will continue. "We're a rock
'n' roll band and we're a worship band," says Tre. No harm in that,
nor in "Light It Up" which is dedicated to the fight against HIV/AIDS
in Africa. "King Of Every Heart" is a barnstorming finish to an
eclectic afternoon in this field known as North Stage.
Stuart
Blackburn
CALLING ALL CARS - Stage 2 - 5pm
The emo on
Stage 2 carries on with Calling All Cars picking up where Blacktop
left off; that being a blend of emo, screamo and post-hardcore. Fewer
guitars gave a much rawer (but in places harder) sound. The vocals are
typical of the genre whilst the lyrics seem to deal with staple
Christian themes (although I'm not 100% sure every member is a
Christian, only half of Blacktop are); the originality needed to
impress fans beyond its usual demographic really is not there alas.
Judging by the size and the reaction of the audience, this band do
seem to go down better than Blacktop. In the fickle world of the music
industry, Calling All Cars have less than 12 months to impress before
their sound starts to come across as dated. Aside from this rather
exaggerated negativity however, this is a quality band with a few
great tunes that shine out from the remainder of their rather
formulaic set.
Greg Sammons
SUPERHERO - Stage 1 - 5.15pm
I really
raved over Superhero's self-titled 2003 album and at their recent
superb gig in Bolton. I am impressed with their musicianship and the
rock textures they create. This was one gig that I was looking forward
to. I don't recognise the first few songs and these are not enhanced
by the sound quality at the venue. Pete Morrison's guitar and the
keyboard are almost completely lost in the mix. The net effect is a
wall of sound, the components of which are hard to distinguish.
Thankfully Superhero play the magnificent "Blame". This is a stunner
of a track but in my head I am filling in what can't be heard. The
best of the new material is "Goodbye". Its strong melody is just right
for Tim's voice. "Stars", another from the 2003 album, serves as a
driving finale. A troupe of demented teenagers form a conga. I don't
join in. Superhero have not had a fair hearing. However, this gig will
not prevent me from checking out their new album in October.
Stuart Blackburn
KENDALL PAYNE - Stage 1 - 6.15pm
I've
been fond of Kendall's music for some years. She is usually
accompanied by a full rock band. Today she stands simply with an
acoustic guitar, an experience she describes as "more fun." Her voice
is astonishing. It sounds like falling in love. I'm sure it could
guarantee her country music accolades but instead she does what she
does. Never have so many spines tingled together. Whether she is
whispering or at full pelt, her voice is divine. No post-production,
no re-takes. Most of her songs are from her most recent 'Grown' album
and how strong they are. "I want to be free to be happy again," she
sings. At least we are happy. On "Aslan" she slides up to a note and
arrives bang on, even her "yeahs" leave you breathless. The voice
could mesmerise you away from the crafted songs which encompass a
range of style and tempo. On "Rollercoaster" she strums like a rock
star; the beauty of "Pray" slides into your heart to wound like a
friend. After she leaves we all stand for a while.
Stuart
Blackburn
SECRET ARCHIVES OF THE VATICAN - Propagate Inns
Lounge - 6.30pm
SAOTV offer a rhythmic celebration
which you could call transglobal drum 'n' bass with ethnic trip hop
overtones if you were being smart but I'll just say their banging
beats incorporate music - played live and sampled - from around the
world - notably Africa, India and the middle-east. Playing to an
audience of around 50 fans, SAOTV line-up with five musicians on
congas/flute, djembes/tamborine, hand drums/melodica horn, lead guitar
and bass guitar/rap vocals. The session starts with a slow rhythmic
intro and rap vocals to set the mood, picking up pace with African
drum beats and an oriental theme on electric guitar leading to a solo
on the flute. The audience are then treated to a selection of songs,
some using backing tracks and news commentary style "voice-overs" with
funk/reggae bass lines and oriental themes on keyboard/synth before
moving onto their recent live tune "Fear Of A Black Jesus" - a
commentary on the injustices in the world at the hands of western
political powers.
Paul Saint
TREE63 - Stage 1 - 8.45pm
Taking us
from the late dusk to the pitch black of night, Tree63 bring rock
worship to a packed and excited crowd. Kicking off with their
strongest track from their last album, "King", the band quickly make
their mark. However this is apparently their third visit to Greenbelt
and most of the crowd are already Tree63 fans of some sort - and so
they should be. Aside from the fact that Tree63 sound far too much
like Delirious?, and they in turn sound far too much like U2; the band
still manage to carve memorable and worshipful tracks that are very
much theirs. Despite playing a set that seems far too short (a sign of
the crowd enjoying it so much no doubt) they still manage two covers.
The first, "Blessed Be Your Name" by Matt Redman, is not wholly
unexpected as it appeared on their last album but is lapped up by this
British audience who proceed to sing along. The second cover is
intended as a tribute to the highlight of Greenbelt 1982, U2. Somehow
though, the tribute comes in the form of "Roxanne" by The Police.
Still we don't seem to mind, some people probably don't even realise
the bizarreness of the situation! Finishing off a little earlier than
some would like with "Amazing Grace", some of the crowd grow a little
despondent - at the end showing their frustration by booing as the
band leave the stage. Sad really but I can almost understand, like the
silent majority of the crowd this vocal minority are hungry for more -
a good sign for any band!
Greg Sammons
ESTELLE - Stage 1 - 10pm
The big act I
saw on Saturday was MOBO Award winner Estelle - whom I start off not
really caring about, but grow to like as her set progresses. Estelle's
funky hip-hop soul owes a lot to the '80s, and listening to her
reminds me, in some ways, of tuning in to some of the old soul pirate
stations that brightened up London's airwaves back in the day. Estelle
herself is all charm - and she is polite enough to alter the chorus
lyric of one of her hits from "dance, bitch" to the more Christian
audience-friendly (but only just) "dance, chick."
George Luke
SUNDAY
COMMUNION SERVICE - 10.30am
I join the
12,000-ish crowd with a certain unease, not helped by the fact that
the combination of searing sunshine and being follicly challenged
necessitate me improvising a sun hat, a pillow case tied pirate
fashion! The service though quickly grips me. Singer Andy Flannagan
and poet Stewart Henderson centre me down while a rendition of "Praise
My Soul The King Of Heaven" has most of us praising God. Next up, an
imaginative reading of Matthew 13:31-32 complete with congregation
participation (would you believe men shouting "Does size matter?" and
women responding "No!"?). Then after "Be Thou My Vision" and concise
plugs for Christian Aid (Daleep Mukarji) and Trust Greenbelt (Karen
Napier) things unexpectedly deflate with the prayer led by Esther
Richards. With black irony, an event which so vigourously expounds the
theology of bringing the whole Church together in a Spirit of unity,
Greenbelt stupidly allow a prayer to be offered in words they must
know the majority of evangelicals and charismatics would be alienated
by ("Mother God," it begins). Such mistakes show that despite their
talk of "a unified Church" and "inclusive language" Greenbelt still
has much work to do to win back large swathes of believers from the
evangelical and charismatic communities to the event. Things
thankfully return to a more sensitive theological keel with a powerful
song from Andy Flannagan ("You've bound our wounds with love/You give
more than enough") and then a colourful recasting of the crucifixion
story is told where the motif of this year's fest, The Tree Of Live,
is vividly brought into its centre. Communion starts and I find myself
drawn into a circle of strangers-becoming-friends. The bread and wine
are served. While the music group play "Oh Happy Day" picnics
spontaneously break out all over the site and soon, despite no
preparation and no food, I am enjoying sandwiches and crisps with
three young families, two of the three couples having become
Greenbelters after their parents took them each year to the event. As
the children play amongst the crisp packets I wonder whether these
will take THEIR kids on this unique annual pilgrimage.
Tony
Cummings
JOHNNY PARKS, TIM HUGHES, MATT REDMAN - Centaur -
12:45pm
Not surprisingly the Centaur is jam packed with
people of all ages for this worship event focusing on the Make Poverty
History Campaign. Johnny Parks commences the worship with songs
including "Heart Of Worship", "Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble",
"Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace" and a song from his album 'Almighty
Sound' called "The Lord Is Close". After Johnny, a pastor from Peurto
Rico speaks of the work a fellowship of 166 churches across America
and the Caribbean are doing. This fellowship is partnered with
Christian Aid. He speaks of the sadness of seeing people shot by
soldiers just for digging for water because they cannot afford to buy
it. He said that after the anger of seeing such injustice you start to
develop another type of ministry. Jesus transforms you when you see
life through his eyes. The call for solidarity wakens in your heart
and soul. These people know they may not live to the end of the day
but inspite of their misery they have joy. When asked how people could
help to make poverty history he replied to try and be the best at all
you do and to build up solidarity. Engage your churches in mission
work and do whatever you can in your own community, family and
country. He finishes by saying if we all sowed this seed then together
we would have the tree of life. Next up is Tim Hughes, leading the
worship with songs including "How Great Thou Art", "Shackles" and "The
Whole World In His Hands". As we all jump and dance in praise I am
struck by the lyrics of Tim's song, which are very relevant to the
make poverty history campaign: "We must go, live to feed the
hungry/Stand beside the broken, we must go!/Fill us up and send us out
Lord!/Keep us from just singing!" Tom Hewitt speaks of his work with
the Amos Trust. He is currently working with the 6000 street children
in Durban and equipping rescued street children with strategies for
working with other street children. He also says that the HIV/AIDS
effect is huge in this area and that he is very concerned for the
safety of the street children with the run up to the World Cup in 2010
to be held in South Africa as they will be cleared off the streets by
the authorities in time for the matches. He encourages everyone to
support the Amos Trust in this work. The worship is brought to a close
by Matt Redman with songs such as "Everything That Has Breath",
"Blessed Be The Name", "Undignified" and "Dancing Generation". Two
hours of pure worship - awesome!
Ruth Saint