Chemical Brothers (2)

Glastonbury Festival 2000 reviews

Chemical Brothers (2)
Pyramid Stage
22:50 23rd June 2000

As we approached the Pyramid Stage from the top of the hill the Chemical Brothers had already started playing. We were immediately impressed by the new Pyramid stage. In the darkness the lights pitched out over the crowd in impressive spins and arches. The new position of the stage - turned slightly towards the centre of the festival - meant that the view was great from the top of the hill. As we walked through the crowds who were sitting on the hill we were impressed by the great atmosphere.

As the crowds deepened and 'Hey Boy, Hey Girl' came out over the loud speakers the mood intensified and people danced, leapt about and cheered. We made our way to the mixing desk where everyone was standing and the mood drooped as the view of it all was obscured. So we decided to make our way up the hill again where we could experience the best part of the performance - the light show.

To be honest the Chemical Brothers themselves were incidental in this gig. Yes, the music was good, at times varying the mix on favourite songs, but overall it was the light show that was impressive. Vegetable Vision were responsible for the strange lights and images that caught the eye and captured the imagination. Initially five screens portrayed the images which then shrank to three as one large screen replaced smaller ones on the stage. There were tropical beaches, dancing men and children's faces as songs like 'Block Rockin' Beats' and 'Private Psychedlic Reel' rang out.

The Chemical's were rather self indulgent in this gig, allowing over dramatic pauses that only weakened the party mood of the crowd. But for those of us on the hill, with full visual stimulation, the gaps were filled with light.