Our comprehensive review of the music at Cheltenham's arts festival GREENBELT concludes. A total of 17 reviewers filed 70 reviews. Read and be amazed.
Continued from page 2
YFRIDAY - Main Stage - 5pm
The
Newcastle lads' brand of anthemic rock is tailor-made for a festival
setting, so this made a great start to the Saturday main stage line
up. Being first on can have its drawbacks - I remember some of the
dismal crowds for opening acts at earlier festivals - but the fans had
turned out in force for this one and the sizeable audience were
rewarded by a fine performance featuring a selection of songs from
both the new and older albums. The songs from 'Universal' with their
impassioned directness and their call to go all out for the Gospel of
Jesus Christ were particularly powerful. There's a buzz around
Yfriday's gigs these days that reminds me a lot of early Delirious?
appearances, which bodes well for the future. A future Greenbelt headline act,
maybe?
Mark Goodge
THROUGH SOLACE - Stage 2 - 5pm
Through Solace
followed current tour-mates, For The Day Of Redemption, in forceful
style. 10 minutes' respite from full-on hardcore and now it's time for
metalcore mayhem. This is heavy, heavy stuff - once again packed with
the passion and integrity of hardcore - with an added metallic twist.
Frontman Luke Nicholas was wearing a Zao top and provided perhaps
their closest comparison, with the possible exception of the Nodes Of
Ranvier. Talking of tops, guitarist Kev was wearing his beloved Barry
Town football shirt, which when the UV light fell on it provided the
most garish of colour schemes. The band had time for a couple of
full-on metal tracks that provided some quality riffage but it was
their more hardcore fuelled tracks that gave us those blistering
breakdowns that metalcore merchants are so able to provide for us. It
made good sense to finish on the title track of their excellent EP,
'An Innocent Confession'. A great way for a fantastic young band to
wrap up Saturday's Meltdown Session.
Greg Sammons
ROB HALLIGAN - Traidcraft - 5pm
Discovering new musicians can be really uplifting and when Mike
Rimmer told me about Rob Halligan I started to get excited. I caught
Rob supporting Randy Stonehill earlier this month and was impressed,
enough to miss YFriday on main stage to visit the Traidcraft tent
where he had been invited to play. The programme did no one playing in
the tent any justice by telling them to bring knitting. Rob had to
work hard to beat the rain, and enforced poetic interlude, but kept
going with real professionalism. The Coventry-based songsmith's songs
of loneliness, love and hope dig deep into your heart and acoustic
guitar playing leaves you wishing you had tried harder with your
guitar. Rob is about to tour again with Gareth Davies-Jones for Fair
Trade and if there is any justice Rob will be signed up by next Greenbelt and playing a
stage a little more worthy of his talent.
Mick Farrar
KEVIN MAX - Main Stage - 6pm
Taking to
the stage dressed in ripped black jeans and a black smock which made
him look, in the words of one of my co-reviewers, like an "out of
control Anglican priest", Kevin Max's visual style was certainly a
little unusual. The sense of the slightly bizarre carried over into
the music, with Max getting the audience to sing "We've never heard of
dc Talk" before doing a song from the dc Talk back catalogue. Most of
the material, though, was from his latest album, 'The Imposter', which
with their confessional lyrics and subtle, sinuous melodies registered
with the audience. These songs were interspersed with a smattering of
older songs. But the absolute standout for me and most of the audience
was the not-quite-an-encore version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah"
which would have given the late Jeff Buckley a run for his money.
"Musically, Kevin's voice was in good shape though physically he seems
to have put on a lot of weight. Someone also suggested that he didn't
look too well. The label of "eccentric genius" would seem to be
perfect for Max, apart from the minor proviso that he seems to be
ostentatiously seeking to appropriate it for himself. Disregarding
this musical catch 22, though, Kevin's performance was, for me, one of
the highlights of the weekend.
Mark Goodge
LOVERS ELECTRIC - Stage 2 - 6.15pm
The core of
Lovers Electric are married couple, Eden (vocals) and David (guitar
and vocals). Both are native to Australia but are based here in
Britain. They play gigs as a duo, but here we had their full band
performance. Stage 2 was packed with people to hear their harmonic
melodies. Imagine Blondie being crossed with The Cardigans and you're
somewhere close to their sound. Delicate stage personality is Eden,
performing in a red dress that she made herself. She can really sing
though, and the whole act came across as very well rehearsed and
professional. The lyrical content was very positive, but not
out-and-out obvious whether they were Christians or not. One
outstanding number was their single, "Honey", due out in early
September, when the group will be gigging in London. A tight band with
lots of cool-appeal. I'd try and see them if they're coming near you.
Dave Griffiths
BRIDGETTE AMOFAH - Christian Aid Performance Café -
6.45pm
Another of the Performance Café's mini-gigs, this
featured the former front lady of hipster favourites Oi Va Voi who
appeared onstage wearing luminous blue leggings and a white dress,
accompanied by guitarist Olly Shepard. Bridgette's breezy, whimsical,
jazzy sound was slightly reminiscent of Corinne Bailey Rae (recipient
of a mock English Heritage blue plaque hanging from a tree on the
festival site). Bridgette seemed to have a thing for Sesame Street;
her first song was titled "ABC" and she followed it with something
which had her counting up to five. Another number, "The Rain Song",
contained some witty references to Weather Girls and that famous song
from Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid. Halfway through the show,
Bridgette pleaded with the audience to come a little closer to the
stage: "It's a big stage, and there are only two of us up here."
Bridgette had a nice enough voice and the gig should have been a nice,
intimate affair. But somehow it felt more like you were watching a
rehearsal, rather than an actual gig.
George Luke
STEPHEN DEVINE - New Forms Café - 7pm
Stephen
got a tea time slot at the intimate New Forms Café. His start was
delayed because his laptop would not co-operate with the sound system.
Once he got going - without his prepared backing tracks - he showcased
a powerful voice and some skilful guitar playing - sometimes melodic
and delicate, sometimes rhythmic and thunderous. "Are You Ready" was
interesting lyrically, building to the passionate crescendo: "When the
battle's over this war's just begun." Unfortunately, even without his
laptop, gremlins beset the PA system throughout the set. "The Rage"
was "a quiet song about my temper." Stephen's guitar picking ably
accompanied his regretful lyrics, although the repeated "oooh" of the
chorus was perhaps missing the special effects. Song three was a
celebration of guitar. Stephen explained how he was getting back to
playing the instrument after badly breaking his arm. The powerful
strumming aptly illustrated this - unfortunately overriding the
lyrics. "Help Me" was atmospheric, with a lyric sung from a stalker's
point of view. Seeing the stalker as victim was generous. The ending
of the song was uncomfortably loud and might have benefited from more
subdued guitar and vocals. "Comfort Me" - the title track of Stephen's
EP - began quietly, building to a powerful bridge and crashing ending.
Overall Stephen delivered a brave set in the face of adversity. He
demonstrated that he has a great passion for his music. His new album,
'Pieces Of Me', could well be worth a listen.
John Hebden &
Sue Smith
ALL STAR UNITED - Main Stage - 7.05pm
The
original line up of American band All Star United are back together
and Ian, Brian, Christian and Costa bounded onto the main stage like
Andrex puppies and treated us to 45 minutes or so of their unique
retro-rock music and zany humour. Their energy was infectious and the
crowd were soon going crazy along to "You, You, You (Yeah, Yeah,
Yeah)", a catchy pop song that warmed up the growing crowd nicely.
With the occasional fielding of footballs lobbed onto the stage Ian
was every bit the entertainer as well as lead vocalist as the band
stormed through some great numbers, all very familiar to the ASU fan
base crowded at the front, including "Beautiful Thing", "Superstar",
the rocky "La La Land" (with its catchy hooks) and the brilliant "The
Song Of The Year" with its witty jibe at the Nashville suits and the
whole Dove Awards mentality. I guess their next CD will be called
'Album Of The Year'. Continuing the theme ASU finished with "Smash
Hit". I really liked these guys, their rock/pop music was well played
and Ian Eskelin is a brilliant front man for the band. Just as
impressive as his talent for singing and songwriting and his banter
with the crowd, was his ability to speak about God. He gently
encouraged anyone going through a hard time to literally dive into
Jesus Christ. A polished and entertaining performance from one of
Christian music's most loved bands.
Ruth Saint
BLINDSIDE - Main Stage - 8.15pm
Without doubt
the highlight of my day, if not the weekend. Absolutely fantastic, hit
after hit after hit, delivered in an energetic and engaging way by the
Scandinavian hard music stars. Their brand of post-hardcore (as in
they used to be a melodic hardcore band, rather than just another word
for emo-meets-screamo) is totally their own - and they won over a huge
crowd that gathered as the night drew in. Frontman Christian was up to
his usual high-kicking on-stage frenzy, whilst the guitarist was more
reserved in providing just one cartwheel. As things peaked two-thirds
of the way through their set, shock-horror they blew the PA! Suddenly,
their great sonic assault was reduced to what sounded like a band
practice in next-door's garage (just imagine if Blindside did live
next door though!). For a while it was entertaining and an interesting
insight as to what it must sound like on stage, but there was a big
cheer when their full sound returned, leaving time for a couple more
songs and then their usual finishing number "About A Burning Fire".
Never too heavy to scare anyone off but heavy enough to satisfy most
metalheads, Blindside have achieved a rare and amazing thing.
Greg Sammons
BUTTERFLY POLITE - Stage 2 - 9.45pm
I read
Butterfly Polite's Greenbelt programme write up and was
intrigued to say the least! The thought of glockenspiel, violins,
flute, harmonica, guitars and percussion sounded something fresh for
Stage 2. I wasn't wrong! The female lead vocals from Sarah were soft
but confidently assertive while the band, who remained seated with
their array of instruments, showed considerable skill as they ran
through songs from their album, 'The Mess We Made'. After awhile
however, I became a little bored. The sound at the start was
interesting and unique but unfortunately every song seemed to sound
similar to the last. I couldn't quite work out whether they were a
band, or whether they were session musicians supporting the vocalist,
which is what it seemed. There's no doubt these guys are talented and
work well together but they just seemed to lack the spark I'd hoped
for. But if you were looking for a light and easy listening folk band,
which one Greenbelter
commented is what was needed on a Saturday evening, then Butterfly
Polite were good to chill-out to.
Rachel Nixon
DANIEL BEDINGFIELD - Main Stage - 10pm
Having been privileged to sit in on one of the most envisioning
press conferences I'd ever attended, when Daniel spoke at length to Greenbelt's media horde
about the hugely important Stop The Traffik campaign, I was really up
for this one. By the time my friend and I pushed through the Main
Stage throng sufficiently to get a good view, Daniel was wrapping up
"I Can't Read You". My initial emotions were mixed - relief that
Daniel was in such good voice, disappointment that he was doing this
gig without a full band and with only guitarist Eric and bass player
for company, and warm nostalgia fuelled by Greenbelt at last returning to a main stage
worthy of the name. Certainly this new, grassy venue, with the stage
lights strobing into the night sky, has all the atmosphere that only a
big open air crowd can bring. For the next hour and more we were
treated to a breathtaking virtuoso display by Daniel which left the
14,000 or so crowd dazed and delirious. Daniel's best known songs were
sung - "James Dean", "If You're Not The One", "Holiness", "The Way",
"I'm Never Gonna Leave Your Side" - sometimes rather perfunctorily but
always with dazzling vocal skill while his seemingly wilful fragments
of covers (like "Billie Jean") showed that the interplay between the
singer and his two accompanists was of the highest order. If Daniel's
set had stopped there most of the girls would have gone to their tents
delighted, especially when Daniel's ballads "for the ladies" (cue
screams) while most of the lads would have acknowledged that Daniel's
beat box skills are only just short of miraculous (how DOES anyone
sing and beat box at the same time?)! But what set this performance
apart as something much more than the pop hitmaker demonstrating the
quality of his chops and the depth of his catalogue by performing the
fan favourites in stripped down versions was the sheer memorability of
the three new songs Daniel performed. After apologising for his piano
playing limitations (unnecessarily), Daniel sat at a concert grand and
sang three unforgettable new songs, one of them an aching call for
closure to stop the heartache of a love affair gone bad and another a
stark look at the wretched life of a sex slave and its painful
question, "You were meant for somebody.What if it was me?" With such a
song as this Daniel's spoken plug for Stop The Traffik had hundreds
scribbling the website address (www.stopthetraffik.org) on any
available scrap of paper while his earlier mention of sister Nicola
showed that there is no sibling rivalry in the Tribe Of Bedingfield.
Highlights? Those dazzling new songs, "First Base" with a groove so
strong you could hear the drums in your head and that beautifully
sung, luminously sincere rendition of the Keith Green classic "Create
In Me A Clean Heart". All in all, this set gave notice to the great
British public that here was a musician moving from being a talented
performer of well-crafted pop to a singer/songwriter with the depth
and creative vision to reach a generation.
Tony Cummings
SUNDAY, 27th August
DEATHISNOTWELCOMEHERE - Stage 2 - 2pm
Birmingham's Deathisnotwelcomehere brought us a brand of
post-hardcore that simply does not sound British. The closest UK
comparison would come courtesy of the Hurt Process, but it's Emery who
this band most reminds me of. And it's as a result of riding this
buzz-genre that these guys have achieved so much. That's not to say
they don't deserve to, they totally deserve every bit of success they
receive. Their heart and passion is intense, they were open and honest
about their faith and keen to share it with the audience, and inspire
us with faith. Their musicianship and delivery was exemplary, this
band are gonna go places. Already making inroads in the US, the band
may well be on the cusp of a record deal. Whether they can make enough
of an impression before the emo bubble bursts is another thing. I
sincerely hope and pray they do, as thousands of emo kids desperately
need to hear the positive and uplifting message they bring - and best
of all it's all wrapped up in a tight and alluring musical package.
Greg Sammons
CATHY BURTON - Centaur - 2pm
This lady
is no stranger to Greenbelt but correct me if I'm wrong, this
was the first time she has played a full set in the Centaur. In
previous years Cathy has played in the Performance Café, a great
atmosphere but always a tight squeeze to see the performer and many
people drift away disappointed at being unable to see anything or
catch the vibes. Not so with the Centaur and in Cathy's case the
downstairs area was full, mostly with parents and young children, but
this venue made it easier for mums and dads to chill and enjoy Cathy
while the children had room to spread. Two other things in its favour
were being close to decent toilets (a big plus if you've got kids
believe me!) and the fact the lights were down making it conducive for
the kids to nod off thus enabling quality time for parents or vice
versa! Cathy was dressed in a pretty red dress and shoes and apart
from those tunes familiar to her fans she also sang a few numbers from
her latest album 'Silvertown', one of them being "Open". This was a
gentle song about knowing God is always there even if he can't be
seen. Another radio friendly tune from the new album was "God Of The
Sky" which the audience clearly liked. We also liked Cathy's debut as
a beat boxing artist, in honour of Daniel Bedingfield's performance on
Saturday, which won her a round of applause! On the subject of Dans,
Cathy was minus her colleague Dan Wheeler today because his wife had
just given birth on the Thursday - congratulations Rachel and Dan!
Cathy sang a tender love song dedicated to her husband called "My
Wintertime Love" and an old favourite, "Hollow". Cathy's singing and
guitar playing was first class as usual - she's so laid back I'm sure
she must play her guitar while cooking the dinner!
Ruth Saint
wow you did good and have you listened to LZ7 they are respectful xx
Kerry xx