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home » festivals » other UK festivals/events 2004 » The Common Ground 2004
overviewThe Common Ground 2004 reviewWednesday 7th July 2004 Being the last day of the three day Clapham Common weekender probably explained why it didn't fill up til late afternoon. This was fine though as it gave a lovely lazy chilled Sunday vibe. Large amounts of chairs and tables scattered across the area and a slightly older clientele than most festivals (av.20s to 30s) added a more refined touch. Toilet check... didn't have to queue once and they managed to maintain cleanliness til late on in the evening, most even still having toilet paper in them at ten O'clock. I'd say they score a 6/10 (points being removed due to the lack of hand washing facilities). The Music... starting off with Grandad Bob in Norman Cook's Southern Fried Records Tent, Grandad Bob and his very Grand lady singer made a great start to the day. A lively performance of tribal rythmns and a mesmerising voice. Nice1.  Next up was the Freestylers. With songs from their new album "Raw as F**k" they drew the crowd in and woke everybody up. I did think their performance at Homelands was better but it was still up there with the best of them.  A visit to the Big Chill tent... lovely deco, big papier mache flowers suspended from the ceiling, huge sofa sized bean bags and mattresses, unfortunately all taken; all looked very inviting but possibly so chilled out that I would probably have fallen asleep in about 10 mins with the chilled tunes. Strongbow Rooms... again great deco, a sort of Hawaiian feel but nothing musically (at that point) to hold my attention. So it was back to Southern Fried for the end of DJ Touches set... at least I think it was DJ Touche, the programme didn't have any times written down for them (still, the programme only cost 2 quid). I was slightly unimpressed by a rather painful Franz Ferdinand remix but the rest was dancable.  Soul II Soul Soundsystem on the main stage, started off well but about ten minutes into it they seemed to lose their energy followed by my attention. Could've been something to do with to the rather chilled out crowd of a Sunday afternoon.  So it was back to Southern Fried once again for the beginning of Mancunian DJ/producer/musician Justin Robertson's set.This guy really knows his stuff, and having worked with artists such as the Happy Mondays, Bjork, New Order and the Manic Street Preachers over the last ten years the man deserves Respect. It was difficult to drag myself away to go and see the headliner Moloko playing at the same time.  Dublin born singer Roisin Murphy soon helped me get over this loss though. The former art student and vintage dress lover looked fantastic and really put on a "show". She flirted with the crowd even stage diving towards the end, just a flicker of angst flashing across her face when the crowd didn't want let her go again.  Being their only live UK festival date this year I was so chuffed to have experienced it. A totally unique sound of club disco, jazz and "frosted" latin together with the performance, and light show, they are unforgettable. I've never seen anything quite like it. review by Kim Gordon photos by Neil Greenway
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