Friday overview

Arriving on site after ignoring the route finder and going the scenic route (taking 3 hours more than usual) we reach the site, missing all the traffic. There is no trouble with parking or pitching our tents. The first band we catch are ex Beta Band boys The Aliens on the Obelix Main stage. They are not as good as their former efforts, even the energetic front man Gordon Anderson / Lone Pigeon in his Indian head dress can not save it. 'Only Waiting' and 'Robot Man' are the highlights, if any.



Beth Orton is up next, with her unique vocals. Thing is I only catch one song before it's off to the Uncut arena to catch the more lively Nizlopi lads. They only have an half hour set, but with sing-a-long track 'England Uprise' and the well known 'JCB Song', the beat-boxing bass player and his soulful childhood friend (sporting a new shaved head) have the crowd in the palm of their hand.

Whilst indulging in some overpriced nosh, a wave of people (around 3 thousand I reckon) come running down the field from the Comedy stage. Russ Noble has sparked a huge festival mini marathon as people follow him around the arena, after which he proceeds to crowd surf the lot of them. Only here...

Julian Cope is taking his time starting on the Uncut stage, as a black cloth is held up by security (the girl in the middle must have arms of steel). This delay means I leave to watch Death Cab For Cutie on the Obelix stage. 'Title And Registration' and 'Transatlanticism' are crowd favourites.



Headlining tonight are Franz Ferdinand, but they hog the headline slot too much, so I'm off to watch the fantastic upbeat African world music of Amadou and Mariam, which has the entire tent dancing, even though many have not heard their music before.

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