Neil Young, and The Pigeon Detectives are the icing on the IOW Festival cake
Isle Of Wight 2009 review
Thursday 18th June 2009
Blistered feet, sunburnt faces and serious hangovers were the tune of the day on Sunday; but there was still so many bands to see that people just didn't have time to feel sorry for themselves ! They just had to pick themselves up and decide just how they were going to make the most of the awesome line-up today!
As for me – well there were just so many bands on on Sunday that I didn't even have a chance to head over to the Big Top and see the bands that Tim Burgess, of The Charlatans fame, had hand picked for the line-up. However, I did get the chance to chat to him as he was making last minute preparations for the day. He declared, "I think I’ve got everything ready! I've selected some really interesting bands. [Editor – the likes of The Black Lips and Killing Joke] I'm going to watch some of them and am even DJing a couple of times as well! I'm really looking forward to it."
I only just had a chance to draw breath after that chat before I had to rush through the blistering heat (this had to be the hottest day so far with no hope of finding much shade anywhere) to see the first band of the day, Papa Do Plenty. These are one of the local IOW bands, selected by John Giddings to kick off the events of Sunday. Boy did the wake everyone up! This seven piece band were really really loud, so loud in fact that I jumped out of my skin as they kicked off with a number that sounded like it came straight out of Starsky and Hutch. It's great that unsigned bands get such exposure at the IOW festival, and 'Mutual Feeling', the second track off of their EP, seemed to go down well with the local supporters! No one else had got up yet, or so it seemed ,as the fields in front of the Main Stage were very empty!
As people congregated by the barriers at the side to try and get some kind of shade whilst the headache tablets kicked in, the ghostlike figure of folk legend Judy Collins met us on stage. As I slip slap slopped the factor 30 (yes it was that hot), and wondered whether my granny had wandered onto the main stage by mistake, I was absolutely dumfounded by the clarity of this 70 year old's voice, and its only now I realise just how hugely influential she was in the 60's. She was met with warm applause for ‘'Send In The Clowns' and her fabulous rendition of 'Amazing Grace', which had the older generation crowding the front of the stage. She took time out to state, "I think the 60's are on their way back. They say if you remember the 60's you weren't there – but I was there and I remember quite a lot of them!" and finished off with a ditty to the Isle of Wight.
You couldn't get anything more contrasting than Welsh gansta rappers Goldie Lookin' Chain (GLC) as a follow up act to Collins. I saw fans swarm to the front from out of nowhere dressed as lookalikies with colourful tracksuits, shades and plenty of bling. There's an excited, expectant buzz in the air and even though I hate rap music with a passion, I have never been so entertained, to the verge of tears, as I was by the 45 minute set of GLC. Their energy, vivacity, humorous lyrics and obvious urge to have fun was almost endearing! They covered all of their hits including 'Half Man Half Machine', 'By Any Means Necessary', 'Guns Don't Kill People Rappers Do' and 'Your Mother’s Got A Pen*s'. They even had time to showcase a few tracks from their latest album 'Asbo4life' including 'Everyone Is A DJ' and 'Space Police'. There were a few gasps from parents and audience members at their antics, but if you want to be totally entertained, go see GLC!
The GLC fans quickly dispersed, but front of stage quickly filled with young women looking to catch a glimpse of ever so handsome Danny O'Donaghue, lead vocalist and keyboardist of Dubliners The Script. As the sun still beat down upon the by now packed arena and water was handed out amongst the front row, The Script hit the stage to swooning screams and wolf whistles from girls and a huge cheer. ['Before The Worst' (the band's next single), kicked off the set, shortly followed by 'Talk You Down', hugely popular 'Break Even', 'We Cry', 'The Man Who Can't Be Moved', and 'Rusty Halo'. Their music was tight, vocals soothing, good looks mesmerising and obvious enjoyment entirely visible. In fact O'Donaghue even stated, "I didn't think anyone would have a fuc**ing clue who The Script is, but you guys are absolutely incredible! I'm just gonna pretend you are here just for us." If he didn't know that The Script are much loved in the UK, he does now!
After a quick loo break and taking on as much water as possible now that the first clouds were appearing in the sky and the sun was just beginning to set, I could see just how rammed the Main Stage was becoming with people. And why not when the mighty indie band The Pigeon Detectives were due on any minute! And Matt Bowman et al didn't disappoint. He has huge energy, never keeping still for a second. Bowman did his usual trick of pouring a bottle of water over himself, drenching his curly locks whilst giving the crowd cracking renditions of 'This Is An Emergency', 'I'm Not Sorry', and 'Take Her Back'. I find the Pigeons a bit mind numbing, and soon switch off, but each to their own! They have a massive following and that's all that matters ! You can’t like everyone .........
It seemed that most people were only staying for The Pigeon Detectives though, as a mass exodus ensued shortly after their set. Droves and droves of under 25's packed up their tents, got in the cars and quick footed it back to the ferry ports. They didn't stay to see the classic set from Neil Young, who alternated between acoustic and electric guitar in front of adoring fans to fulfil their hearts desires with amazing performances of 'Hey Hey My My (Into The Black)', 'Mansion On The Hill' and a massive ten minute version of 'Rockin In The Free World'. Work commitments meant that I had to leave early too, but as the night sky encircled Neil Young fans and 'A Day In The Life' was the last song that Young sang in his encore, this truly was the icing on the IOW Festival cake.
As I sat waiting for the Red Funnel Ferry to take me home I had time to digest the IOW festival. In summary, the IOW Festival is a family friendly, intimate festival that's relaxed, chilled out and thoroughly entertaining. I never once experienced tension or trouble, even though most of the audience were enjoying lots of drinks. I felt safe and secure. I appreciated the IOW festival's attempt at supporting local charities and making steps to be as environmentally friendly as possible.
My hat totally has to go off to John Giddings and his team of organisers so securing such an eclectic range of musicians too. We got the chance to see dance, rap, indie, pop, rock – in fact you name it and it was on the bill! Also, as there are only two main stages I found it easy to see lots of acts and get around the site; I never once felt disorientated or lost. Yes the security is tight, the food and drinks expensive and the walk to the town centre long, but getting the chance to experience the Stereophonics, Basement Jaxx, The Prodigy, and Neil Young all in one weekend – well you can't beat that. Just how will they top the bill next year? I expect very big things of the IOW festival for years to come.
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