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home » festivals » Lovebox » Lovebox Weekender 2008
Sunday overviewLovebox Weekender 2008 reviewWednesday 23rd July 2008 Having been to Lovebox Festival twice before I expected the relaxed vibe. When it comes to music genres it's a mixed bag there but it works well and its ideal for groups of friends attending as the stages aren't too far away from each other to get lost but close enough to check out a variety of bands through the day even when the stage times clash you can realistically catch half of each. The atmosphere at Lovebox is great for a London festival, its got a laid back feel like Glastonbury but you are aware of London's influence in the eclectic new and old fashions on show from the East London crowd. Lovebox does not come across as too commercial, they still have sponsored stages but this is mixed in with local produce on sale. The food and drink is 'festival' prices but the food is of a better quality, which softens the blow a little! 
The Fringe stage is ideal for families with various folk acts and street performers, The Horsemeat Disco next door features two 'ladies' dangling off a balcony commenting about various crowd members passing by below into their megaphones, which is quite amusing! In front of The Horsemeat Disco you is the Eastpak Skate ramp, every time you pass during the day demonstrations were on featuring bikes and skateboards. With quite a few people sat around the ramp it seems a good area to sit when in need of a quick rest. Later on whilst wandering, I bump into the street entertainers The Cosmic Sausages a loony bunch who are singing their own take of 'Anarchy in the UK' whilst also having a Prittstick stuck to one of their noses! Don't know what that is about, but it all adds to the rather random and fun atmosphere at Lovebox! In fact before I got there I bump into an old friend at the tube and when asked who she was coming to see she replied "I've just come because its Lovebox, it's a fun weekend isn't it!" which I think sums up the feel of the event. 
At the Gaymer's Great Escape stage the White Lies draw a big crowd and show signs of staying around for a while with a strong sound. Likewise Ebony Bones is a force to contend with charging around the stage full of energy and charisma. After Howling Bells the line up changes a little from Ida Maria being replaced by a band from New Zealand, Collapsing Cities. They do well in retaining the crowds that wandered over to catch Maria and the area around that stage remained busy for the rest of the day. Roni Size Reprazent on the main stage is just visible above the cloud of dust from the front of the crowd and once I move down in the crowd there is so much dancing going on it feels more like a club. Jack Penate who comes on after, showcases some new material. On my way over to see Soko I catch part of Eli 'Paperboy' Reed's set on the Amnesty stage, a guy from the USA with a great soul voice. I also venture into the Mulletover dance area, surrounded by wood and a large mirror ball dangling from the trees it successfully transports the dancefloor from the club to the park. Over at The Fringe stage, the much talked about French folk singer Soko is performing. After the hype I'd heard about her I come to the conclusion that while she is quirky, something about her tunes just doesn't grab me. Her lyrics are amusing but after a few songs the amusement wears off to become silliness and a bit of depth would be nice. The sound for her set isn't great either which doesn't help. 
After that I head down to the main stage to catch the last two acts, Goldfrapp and The Flaming Lips. I love Alison's voice from Goldfrapp but wondered if the set was going to drag after seeing her on TV at Glastonbury, which had seemed to go on forever. But in fact they fit in well in the second to last slot on the Sunday with hazy sun in the London sky and Alison's soft voice singing the words to 'Happiness'. Goldfrapp's dancers were dressed in a variety of crazy costumes and very skimpy dresses to keep the men watching interested! Finally The Flaming Lips, their gigs are like great big parties with front man Wayne Coyne going out over the audience in a giant see through ball, shooting off giant streamers, playing with a smoke machine and having a strobe light attached to his chest. Not to mention the men and women that come on stage dressed up in various costumes. I'm a fan but two people next to me at the front hadn't seen them before and their reactions through the set go from awe, to laughter at the lyrics to 'She Don't Use Jelly' to shouting out the words to 'Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots' and 'The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song' where we all participate. 'Do You Realize' is a beautiful song with lovely words and an ideal last song for a festival audience. Although it isn't the strongest set I've ever seen from them and it is a shame it has to end at 10pm (although convenient for catching the last train if you're not London based) The Flaming Lips still remain one of the best live acts around guaranteed to make you smile and are definitely a perfect way to end a sunny Sunday. 
review by Amy Derham photos by Amy Derham
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