Guilfest - the perfect summer weekend

Without too much blazing sun, it was perfect weather for another great Guilfest. The line-up to suit both young and old again impressed with the quality (well ... apart from Jemini ... nil points :-), while the Comedy Tent provided alternative entertainment, and many many laughs!



Friday was all about Alice, with face make-up galore and lots of leather, and all the cliches you expect from a Rock God. Ozomatli headlined the second Uncut Stage, with their enthusiasm more than contagious.



Saturday was Madness, the place filled right up. The Undertones – Fergal-less (tho the singer doesn't half sound like him!) – put on a great show, with Teenage Kicks of course the highlight. Aqualung slowed things down a little, whilst Skin put on a fantastic performance, followed by the Stranglers.



Madness were – as expected by the thousands who watched – a great headliner, their catalogue of hits played with the perfection expected by a band that's been around for 25 years. Suggs and the boys certainly know how to put on a great show.



Sunday had the weirdest Main Stage festival line-up ever. Jemini appeared for three songs (I didn't, I kept well away), and were followed by The Androids. Songsmith Tom McRae mellowed things out a little, before Daniel Beddingfield took the stage to loud screams from teenage girls, but gave a credible and energetic performance, including a walk-about through the crowd.



After the Mavericks, it was Atomic Kitten. Someone in the crowd had obviously been planning ... a huge pair of Y-fronts were launched towards the stage, but fell short. Is this normal behaviour for Kitten fans? What is obviously normal was the girls act of making eye contact with someone in the crowd, and giving them a wave and a smile, continually. This was headline teen pop delivered from the main stage of a festival. Did it work? Not for me. Luckily, Drunk In Public (an "unplugged" Levellers) offered something more credible on the Uncut Stage.



As ever, Guilfest showed that a great festival is about much more than the bands. The festival's fantastic chilled atmosphere is something appreciated by the near sellout crowds, with many first–timers voicing their delight at what they discovered. With markets that put many other larger events to shame, food of much more than just dodgy burgers, and the Kidzone for the kids, this remains at the top of the best festivals list.



Guilfest is due to return in 2004 on 2/3/4 July.

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