very Super Furry Animals unleash a psychedelic treat on opening night
Wychwood 2009 review
Friday 5th June 2009
Relaxed atmosphere, sunny weather, happy families, green meadow like grass, and a pleasing music programme all set before the backdrop of the Cotswolds, it must be Wychwood Festival, which year on year proves itself to be a winner as far as I'm concerned.
We arrived late to the racecourse, we'd been caught in traffic hours ago, missing three acts I wanted to see Ella Edmondson, The Men They Couldn't Hang, and Danny and The Champions Of The World. I would normally be bothered, but friendly stewards, the easy drive in, the quick discovery of a suitable space to set up base, and the short walk from campsite to arena helped soothe me happily into this three day festival.
It's warm and sunny, as I venture to one of the three bars for reasonably priced (£3) real ales, there's also a moorish cloudy cider, draught lagers, spirits and soft drinks. There's also a new additional outdoor bar in the arena, which is slightly thinner than previous years, but has more trading stalls flanking its sides. The second stage is still housed within a giant tent at one end, and there's the food stalls, and the tea bus at the other.
The area at the top of the site which is nearest the campsite has been filled with a steam fair. Whilst I'm against fun fairs at festivals, the Victorian rides do fill the space well, and as well as a merry-go-round there's a helter skelter and a few other attractions.
There is a healing area somewhere, but without referencing the map, I have no idea where it was this year, and the area which was used to house it last year is empty. A wander around the site reveals the festival is quite busy for a Friday, and I settle at the Hooky Bar beside the Hooky Stage, a canvassed marquee, which has tables and seating both indoor before the stage, and outside in an area which has the feel of a beer garden . New this year is, what will turn out to be the fantastic programming of Tom Robinson's Fresh On The Net Sessions, and the acts playing inside sound pleasing as I consider which of the food offerings I'll be trying.
The first band I get to properly see is The Wonder Stuff, who play a lively greatest hits set, think every Stuffies song you can think of, to an appreciative crowd. Oojami in the tent are a much more mellow swirling prospect, the crowd a rather small, and their music doesn't grab me.
Neither do Super Furry Animals immediately, they start fairly noodley showcasing music from 'one side' of their new album, and I hear murmurs of "Why don't I have more of their records?" from those around me - a good sign. A few songs in however and the psychedelic switch is suddenly thrown. The result can be summed up by the word on one of the giant cue cards lead singer Gruff Rhys keeps flashing the crowd, 'Woah!' Wow! They really get into a groove, and unleashing later the hits with songs like 'Juxtaposed With U', and 'The Man Don't Give a F**k', with a vital mix of souped up big beats, dancing rhythms, and power chords, fantastic stuff.
The night's end is again outside the Old Hooky stage, listening to the occasional snatches of comedy, and I believe I witness a man wrapped in cellophane. Amazingly the toilets are still in good condition and well lit as I nip into them on the way to bed.
review by Scott Williams photos by Karen Williams / Scott Williams
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