01 July 2024 (gig)
01 July 2024
Saturday morning and the sun is shining as Jamie Webster open proceedings on The Other Stage. I had the pleasure of his company at SXSW a few years back, a lovely man, with a heart of gold and more than a few wonderful boot stomping tunes. Recently married he sings a sentimental 'Something In The Air' for his wife, standing stage side. The perfect start to the day, even Lewis Capaldi was in the crowd.
Femi Cuti son of Fela, bestowed us with his sax-filled Afro Jazz. Dressed in bright blue traditional Nigerian wear, his engaging manner warms him to the audience immediately. Dropping off the Pyramid Stage and approaching the crowd directly he stirred as much passion as is available on Saturday morning.
"40 years ago my father introduced me on this very stage, now I would like to introduce my son Made" Femi Cuti said. Playing some strong sax and the longest single sax note I’ve ever heard, I'm sure we'll hear more from him down the line.
The Staves on The Other Stage delighted with the tranquil harmonies they are known for. Dressed in red their voices eased us further into the sunny day.
Then it's up the hill to The Park Stage, which is looking resplendent covered in hand crafted banners. Indie alternative rising stars Bar Italia are sound checking, and we get a brief glimpse of what is to come. The band soon kick into gear with singer Nina Cristante twirling around centre stage as if in her own front room.
It’s lo-fi quirky indie pop which sees vocals shared between Nina and both male guitarists Sam Fenton and Jezmi Tarik Fehmi. There's no looking at each other or crowd interaction, lost in their own thoughts. Vocals are so low in the mix that it's hard to tell if they can actually sing, although somehow this seems insignificant, as you are carried away with the music. "Happy Glastonbury" her only words but this nonchalant passive performance strikes a chord and they leave to a huge cheer.
Cyndi Lauper drew a huge crowd on the Pyramid Stage for a 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun' sing-along. It's her last jaunt having announced her retirement from touring after her next tour ends and a worth performance.
Caity Baser is singing her pop tunes on The Lonely hearts Club stage. Speaking of Glastonbury sher says "I came for the first-time last year, and I swear to God I've spoken about it every day since."
Winners of the BBC Sound of 2024 poll The Last Dinner Party take to The Other Stage with ‘Nothing Matters’. Dressed in cascading white gowns, blouses, and lace-trimmed corsets, they immediately make an impression on the sizeable crowd. It’s been a meteoric rise for the female London based five-piece. Frontwoman Abigail Morris taking it all in her stride, as their theatrical, post-punk baroque pop charms the masses. It will be interesting to see how they progress.
On the Pyramid stage Keane’s emotionally charge piano led anthems are still working their magic. ‘Everything's Changing’ and “This Is The Last Time’ two highlights from their 'Hopes and Fears' album celebrating its 20th anniversary, it’s a timeless classic which allows them to stick their hand in and pull on your heartstrings with ease.
Bringing me back to earth with a bump was Camila Cabilo performing to a camera only and practically nowhere to be seen on the stage as she's so far back on a swing. There was a clear shift of people moving away, including me. Her programmatic, clearly scripted chat, ridiculous. The singer, who rose to fame as a member of the pop girl group Fifth Harmony, also had a huge BMX cycling ramp on stage which may have seen some action but was not worth waiting for.
Yard Act were on at Woodsies, the tent packed to see wordsmith James Smith open up on his latest thoughts. Some great tunes on the second album defying some critics.
On the Pyramid Stage Little Simz had a troupe of dancers in silver metallic motorcycle helmets, marching in time in a well-choreographed set. No apparent nerves to her pre-Coldplay billing, the UK rapper enjoying her moment. “Thank you for honestly making this one of the highlights of my career, my life," she shared. The slot above now almost within her grasp.
English Teacher were throwing caution to the wind at Leftfield tent as singer Lily Fontaine bravely crowd surfed the audience. Bright and inventive guitar music blending indie, folk and electronica into their own package. Having released their critically acclaimed debut album ‘This Could Be Texas’ in April. I look forward to the next instalment.
Back in the Pyramid Stage masses were gathered for Coldplay. Even Tom Cruise could be seen on a viewing platform just ahead of us, waving to the crowd below clearly in high spirits.
‘Yellow’ kicked off the evening, for their record breaking fifth Glastonbury headline set. Clearly old hands at it now fireworks, confetti, light-up wrist bands and a plethora of guests delighted the vast audience. Little Simz, Laura Mvula, Victoria Canal, Femi Kuti all made it onto the stage in a career spanning set. Back to the Future star Michael J. Fox, even joined the house band to play guitar on ‘Fix You.’
Chris Martin thanks “the greatest city on earth” for allowing them to perform. For “Something Just Like This”, their Chainsmokerz collaboration, they even sport alien heads, a slightly surreal moment but it’s classic Coldplay and the audience love it. Tom Cruise certainly did, waving his hands and clapping along even getting low when instructed as did the whole field. Perfect weather and sound conditions clearly helped make this one of the stand-out sets and certainly the biggest gathering.
After that it was off to see New Model Army headline the Avalon Field Tent. The logo covers the back wall, a proper physical banner no LED display here, it’s a work of art I have come to grow and love. This band have been knocking out classic tunes for well over 40 years and have a massive following all over the world yet have somehow managed to accomplish all this under the radar.
Hard to categorise they would be at home at any folk, metal, punk, rock, goth or indie festival. Justin Sullivan’s songs critique political systems, social injustices, and the state of the world. He addresses the horrors and impacts of war and the futility and devastation brought by conflict. Environmental issues are always at the fore and the relationship between humans and nature, what band could be more suited to playing Glastonbury?
So here they are, and my Glastonbury is complete. Songs come thick and fast all delivered with passion and honesty. ‘Never Arriving’, ‘225’, and the emotionally charged ‘Green and Grey’ are all well received. We even get a hymn in the shape of ‘Idumea’ from current album ‘Unbroken’. ‘Purity’ which Justin tells us is “the truest song we’ve ever written” and ‘Wonderful Way to Go’ close the set which is over all too quickly. A very welcome return to Glastonbury for New Model Army.
Then it’s off to Arcadia and its massive fire-breathing spider stage to wind the night down, what a fantastic day.
