Big Chill @ Eastnor Castle 2009
Friday 7th to Sunday 9th August 2009Eastnor Castle, Ledbury, Herefordshire HR8 1RL, England MAP
adult w/e £145; aged 13-17 £60; parking £7.50; live-in vehicles £50
The Big Chill hit the jackpot this weekend, after managing to bag this summer's most sought-after and elusive act, for what was surely one of his most memorable appearances all summer. For, last weekend at Eastnor Castle Deer Park, near Ledbury, Herefordshire, the sun came out and stayed out all weekend!! I know unbelievable, isn't it? But for one weekend only it actually felt like summer. 2009's weather has been that miserable so far that I'm not sure how unbiased this review can really be. The sun shone last weekend, and at The Big Chill, it really did feel like that was enough to make everything pretty wonderful.
Meeting some friends at The Open Air Stage, we found ourselves watching Noah and the Whale, who were not at all what I was expecting. It must be said that I really only know their 2008 single 'Five Years Time (Fun Fun Fun)' and the fact that my Mum likes them, and I had expected their other material to follow this radio-friendly indie-folk template.
But not so; the Twickenham 4-piece have a new album out at the end of August, and it seems their new material has taken a far edgier, rockier direction than before, now losing the trademark female backing vocals of their previous singles. Other tracks had a fun country hoe-down flavour to them, and the audience seemed to enjoy these in particular.
Next on the Open Air Stage, it was time for something completely different as Calexico took to the stage. Playing a wide assortment of unusual looking instruments, and without so much as one trendy haircut between them, the Arizona-based rock band's musical style is (according to Wikipedia, anyway) "influenced by traditional sounds of mariachi Tejano music and the Southwestern United States country music," although after this set I can really only describe it as superb.
Dressed for the ranch in faded jeans and checked shirts, this band are all action on a live stage, fusing blues, rock, jazz and folk, with latin flavoured horns and percussion to create a powerful live set. I had not heard a lot of Calexico prior to this festival, but this was the kind of live performance that can win a brand new fans in droves, and the crowd absolutely loved it.
Hits like 'Oh My Gosh' and 'Red Alert' have the field erupting in seconds, while the mellow acoustic re-rub of Romeo hits all the right notes. Finally moving into the safe territory of The Big Ones, the band exude an unmistakable air of effortlessness as they romp into 'Jump & Shout' and finally 'Bingo Bango', bringing their set to a jubilant close.
review by: Lynsey Haire
photos by: Martin Woodhead / Phil Bull
Latest Updates
The Big Chill
festival home page
festival home page
last updated: Wed 20th Apr 2022
The Big Chill won't return in 2014
last updated: Fri 9th Aug 2013
The Big Chill is likely to be replaced
boss Melvin Benn confirms something completely fresh expected next year
boss Melvin Benn confirms something completely fresh expected next year
last updated: Tue 24th Jul 2012
festival details
last updated: Thu 19th Jan 2012
Big Chill 2012 is cancelled
boss Melvin Benn confirms festival will take a year out
boss Melvin Benn confirms festival will take a year out
last updated: Thu 19th Jan 2012