|
|
home » festivals » Connect » Hydro Connect 2008
Sigur Ros provide the ideal musical backdrop to last night of ConnectHydro Connect 2008 reviewThursday 11th September 2008 While the city of New Orleans experienced a total mandatory evacuation with the onslaught of hurricane Gustav, which I've heard described as 'apocalyptical rain' , the rain here failed to dampen the spirits of the Connect festival goers. Most stayed in tents and battened down the hatches but the brave souls who braved the monsoon like deluge just got on with having fun. A special mention needs to go out to a single brave soul who stood out in the pissing rain for the start of Duke Special on the main stage. The blasting lyrics of I could go to London in 'Salvation Tambourine' got the crowds running down the hill towards the stage in their droves as the set continued with 'As good as it gets' and 'This could be my last day'.
Over on the guitars stage, their first time on Scottish soil, Black Cherry from London did their best to play through the rain. Front woman Meghan's uplifting vibes got the crowd dancing with the stand out songs being 'Cops and Robbers' and'Lost in the system'. 
Talking of uplifting ladies, the eclectic Santogold played early afternoon on the Oyster stage and brought some New York style to the day. 'Starstruck' brought the underground DJ sound that she's famous for to the gathered masses. In a quote from her website 'already receiving weighty club rotation and airplay in urban Afghanistan and downtown Beruit', you can add rain soaked Scotland to that list as she did her best to fight through the monsoon.
Dressing in a pink ballgown that could have been borrowed from Bjork last year Alison Goldfrapp entered the Oyster stage. From the mellow 'Clowns' to the well known 'Oh La La' and the more bizarre techno 'Black Cherry' she put on a show to match the misty atmosphere that surrounded the site. Over on the Guitars stage the Gutter Twins had gathered a good sized crowd for hits such as 'Deep hit of morning' and 'Idle hands' The deep penetrating vocals and strong guitar give this band a distinctive sound that stands out from the norm of live music. 
As darkness started to fall and mist rolled over the hills surrounding Connect, the haunting sound of Iceland's Sigur Ros provided the ideal musical backdrop to the approaching night. Starting off with the lengthy 'Svefn-G Englar' and building into the set with 'Golthsi' was a musical masterpiece from a band who always entertain with their zany exploits. On this occasion, with the rest of the band in hysterics, several members marched onto stage in white tee shirts and long-johns playing trombones. Even of you don't like the music you had to marvel in the experience. This set will go down as one of the best the band have played, certainly in the UK. OK, the stunning backdrop and mists added to the occasion but the massive explosion of ticker tape during the goobledigokook just ended the show with an explosion of white like summer had suddenly ended and a winter storm had rolled in.
On the whole I really enjoyed this festival. As someone who really appreciates alternative acts and new up and coming bands I feel I just did not have enough time to take it all in. The bands at the top end of the bill may be slightly weaker than last year but on the whole the festival had a good range of acts, with something for everyone. Some of the best shows I saw were on the little stages and tents.
Same goes for Connect. Yes, there may be teething problems with this festival, but with all things considered the location, the food, the range of acts, the great audience, they have a product that will hopefully mature into one of Europe's great music festivals. Some have said move it to another time of the year as a solution. You know what would happen if they did that, this time next year Inverary will; be in the middle of a heat wave. No, keep building on the infrastructure and as for the fans get used to the hike. 
review by Greg Forbes photos by Greg & Rachel Forbes
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
eFestivals is 
