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home » festivals » Lovebox » Lovebox Weekender 2008
Saturday overviewLovebox Weekender 2008 reviewWednesday 23rd July 2008 After arriving on site there was a relaxed feel with some areas far more popular than others. The stockade was packed, not helped by having the only 'nearly accurate' stage times by the entrances. Having a slow moving Ferris wheel with views of the Main Stage was another great idea. 
The usual array of food vans and busy bars scattered the site. Alongside that, NYC Downlow and Strangelove brought back memories of Glastonbury's Trash City. The weather – which is always important at a festival – looked like it could go either way but the sun stayed shining the whole day. Starting my day, Young Knives played to a relaxed crowd at the main stage. A wooden performance of their more popular songs did not excite but they promised to return later at the Gaymers stage, for a more 'punk'n'roll' set later. Rather than wait at the main stage I caught Dengue Fever at the Amnesty stage. Their Cambodian influenced pop sound was as infectious as their name suggests. After they finished The Black Seeds were on next. Their unconventional groove sound had gathered a large crowd. The reggae rhythms with soulful singing had everyone dancing. A definite must-see while they are on a short European tour. 
It was then time for the Human League. The stage looked impressive with the classic 'Dare' album cover backdrop and all white instruments. Ready for a return to the eighties, the audience gathered around the main stage. Mainly playing their old material, 'Mirrorman' was the first song to get the crowd going. They glided through the set with experience, finishing with 'Don't You Want Me' there was a massive response from the audience. Everyone watching sang all the words at the top of their voices and it was hard to hear the band - a perfect festival song. Cheers for more carried on long after the band left the stage, electro-pop has never been better! Noticing the Strangelove tent was drawing a large crowd outside (due to the one out, one in policy) I headed in to see what was going on. Yet another surprise appearance from Beardyman (having already played on the main stage with no mention on the line-up), doing a DJ set using samples of his own voice. Always popular, his mix of pop, rock and R'n'B tunes is great to hear. Mixing 'I am the One and Only' into 'Drop the Pressure' was a definite highlight. The steamy tent captured the atmosphere well and the euphoric crowd were loving it. Eagerly awaiting Groove Armada and not wanting to miss the start I left plenty of time. Coming on stage to 'At the River' with the evening sun was a perfect start to their set. The hour long set was packed with their greatest hits but not having the headline set meant the daylight stopped them using their stunning lighting. They made up for this with fireworks, confetti, balloons and ass-shaking dancers. 
All that was left to do was to try and choose between Manu Chao and the Young Knives for the end of the day. The Gaymers Great Escape stage had a small but dedicated crowd waiting for Young Knives and the mood was buzzing. Although they played the tightest start to a set I had seen, the desire to see Manu Chao (A band I've never seen before) took over. The eclectic mix of ska-punk and reggae was a definite crowd pleaser. After a few songs spent at the front dancing, legs aching, I headed further back so I could sit down and listen in peace. After twenty minutes of ballads with a little Spanish guitar, I was a little less enthusiastic about them. Wanting to finish the day with a buzz I headed back to Young Knives just as they started their final track 'Terra Firma', Ace. review by Chris Mathews photos by Chris Mathews
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