So how was Dexy's?

[BlackHole2006]

Seeing as I didn't go this year and the Acoustic stage isn't broadcast on the tele, I'm intrigued to know how Dexy's went down on the acoustic stage.

Who went, and how was it?

[dicka]

I enjoyed it, the set was very theatrical and was mainly the album "One Day I’m Going To Soar" the tent seemed to empty a bit as I think most were expecting a load of Dexy's Midnight Runners hits. The people who were there untill the end seemed to appreciate the set. I would definately go and see it live again,

[The Other Steve]

Despite the set being advertised as the full album after every track all you heard was chants for Geno and eventually people started leaving. They were good but I wished I'd watched Bryan Ferry instead.

[chuckles07]

Yes Kevin rowland did not compromise on the set list! It was 2/3rd of OdIGTS tracks and then reworked classics inc geno, come on Eileen, let's keep it precious. I thought it was brilliant, his voice was brill and the band were superb. But....I'm a big fan and knew what to expect. Punters turning up expecting a greatest hits gig like Paul heaton & jackie abbot who were on before (brilliant singalong!) we're pretty pissed off, and left early doors. Hey ho, stuff happens.........

[Ruwise]

Yes Kevin rowland did not compromise on the set list! It was 2/3rd of OdIGTS tracks and then reworked classics inc geno, come on Eileen, let's keep it precious. I thought it was brilliant, his voice was brill and the band were superb. But....I'm a big fan and knew what to expect. Punters turning up expecting a greatest hits gig like Paul heaton & jackie abbot who were on before (brilliant singalong!) we're pretty pissed off, and left early doors. Hey ho, stuff happens.........

I do think bearing in mind what Dexy's wanted to do it would have been better to swap their slot with Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott and that's not just because that would have meant I could have caught the end of Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott after John Grant if they'd done it that way

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

I didn't go myself but met a fellow efester who said that it actually saddened him when he went because it was so crap. He pointed out Kevin Rowland's voice as being particularly bad.

[eFestivals]

Yes Kevin rowland did not compromise on the set list! It was 2/3rd of OdIGTS tracks and then reworked classics inc geno, come on Eileen, let's keep it precious. I thought it was brilliant, his voice was brill and the band were superb.

This ^^

Mind you, I turned up just before they started playing the old stuff, which probably helped (I went and saw a bit of Metallica first. Dull as fuck).

I loved the way they had reworked those tunes, I'm guessing deliberately in a way that made them almost impossible for the audience to sing along with. It was very clever, and still very good.

I've not seen Rowlands sing live before, and when he wanted to do it properly, just wow! Bluesey, soulful, and with the most perfect timing. One of the best-used voices i think I've ever heard.

[eFestivals]

I didn't go myself but met a fellow efester who said that it actually saddened him when he went because it was so crap.

it wasn't crap, but if you went expecting it to be a band singing songs in a normal manner, then you'd probably be disappointed.

I thought the whole thing was done pretty much in the style of a musical, that it was a show and not a band singing songs - and that meant that....

He pointed out Kevin Rowland's voice as being particularly bad.

... Kev wasn't so much singing a lot of the time, but reciting. There were moments when I screwed up my face because stuff was so off-note.

Not sure what the song was they finished with, but it was used to introduce the band. In between naming the members there was a bit of singing from Kev - just perfect. I doubt you'll hear anything so spot-on but better in your life. The thing it reminded me of was Robert Plant at his best (not in tone, obviously) - yep, it was that good.

Edited July 2, 2014 by eFestivals

[amfy]

It was really clear, right from the first line up announcement that they were going to do that album in full. I was struck by how deliberately they wanted to make that clear from the outset.

I guess there is no stopping the people who suddenly see them on the line up at a later stage and decide Dexys would be a great singalong.

If I'd been a Glastonbury, this is where I would have been, and I'm a bit sad that it didn't work out for the band or some of the crowd as they might have hoped.

[CaledonianGonzo]

Did they bring out This Is What She's Like?

[A Guy Called Matt]

If you knew what to expect and were there then it was really good. I enjoyed it, despite manflu.

So many did not know what was going to be performed so left early.

[MisterSitter]

The acoustic tent has better crowds in the afternoon than turned up for Dexys headlining slot on Saturday night. I was there, I really wanted it to be good and be one of those moments where something special happens but... what the actual fuck?!! Wrong band, wrong set, wrong stage, wrong time.

Dexys pretty much emptied the Acoustic Tent. It was dull and the amateur dramatics were embarrassing. Paul Heaton should have played that slot, he was on before Dexys and the tent was jam packed with people singing along. What kind of prick would try to spoil that for people? A festival slot, especially a headliner, is not a Dexys gig, you're supposed to entertain a crowd of general music fans with songs they know, not bore them to death with dull jazz and ridiculous fake fights. Even Metallica were better than that crap. I gave it 30 minutes and it just got worse so went to see Bryan Ferry, a man who knows how to entertain a crowd. Sorry, I like Dexys but that was shit.

Edited July 2, 2014 by MisterSitter

[chuckles07]

Did they bring out This Is What She's Like?

Yes I think they did. It was reworked as per the other classics.

[quote name="MisterSitter" post="4432021" timestamp="1404325749"

Dexys pretty much emptied the Acoustic Tent. It was dull and the amateur dramatics were embarrassing. Paul Heaton should have played that slot, he was on before Dexys and the tent was jam packed with people singing along. What kind of prick would try to spoil that for people? A festival slot, especially a headliner, is not a Dexys gig, you're supposed to entertain a crowd of general music fans with songs they know, not bore them to death with dull jazz and ridiculous fake fights. Even Metallica were better than that crap. I gave it 30 minutes and it just got worse so went to see Bryan Ferry, a man who knows how to entertain a crowd. Sorry, I like Dexys but that was shit.

[CaledonianGonzo]

Rowland, similar to Morrisey, feels strongly about his music and what he wants to share with the public. Might not be appropriate for everyone but it (he believes, donning a tin hat) had more thought and heart than going through a greatest hits replay just to make some money........

He's got previous form in not giving the people what they want:

[MisterSitter]

It's not about making money, he got paid anyway but failed to understand he was paid to entertain the crowd. Selfish, arrogant twat imo.

[chuckles07]

He's got previous form in not giving the people what they want:

When I said sharing stuff with public I meant his music..........

And yes could be about giving too much of his stuff to the public overall ;-)

[angelin]

Is it just me or did anyone think the sound for Paul Heaton and Jaqui was appalling? I stood everywhere in that tent and could barely hear them singing until the end. Same for Dexys.

[chuckles07]

Is it just me or did anyone think the sound for Paul Heaton and Jaqui was appalling? I stood everywhere in that tent and could barely hear them singing until the end. Same for Dexys.

Yep indeed. We saw Nick Lowe and it was the same. We were stood next to the front central tent post things in front of the stage and couldn't understand a word that Paul heaton Sid. The singing bit was okay. For dexy's moved to edge of tent at side even though it was half empty, and sound was fine.

Interesting that in the afternoon Thea Gilmour was absolutely superb and sound was perfect. Not sure if they reset the sound balance for the evening.

[cartonio]

I must admit that I barely know their music. anyway, I ended up in the acoustic tent cause there was nothing else better for me and got stuck there because of the rain. in the end i really enjoyed their set, even if I felt it was a little bit too long (2 hours, right?) and the sound wasn't always good. but I think it was a real good show.

after dexys i watched the mutoid show in glebeland (the 'monsters' were impressive, the show was nothing special) and then we accidentally entered the tent at the beginning of airnadette. and what can I say? airnadette were just...WOW! their show was amazing, I'm still tryin to figure out how the hell they managed to put on a show like that. incredible, incredible. probably one of the highlights of my glastonbury.

PS I really wanted to come to the efests meeting but I was watching JJ Rosa at the spike she was really good. hope to see you all next june

[Mardy]

I knew this was going to happen. Some people hate anything different. I love this album, think it's the best thing Dexy's have ever done, but I stayed away from the gig cos I knew it was going to be full of tedious arseholes disgruntled audience members shouting moronically for Geno or Come on Eileen.

Rowland is following his muse, and as an artist he gets to choose what and how he plays. That's his right, that's why he's on the stage and we're not. It's not a democratic exercise, we're not all equal, that's why I'll never write anything as heartstoppingly beautiful as his best tunes.

People having a pop at him are the same as those who booed Dylan for going electric in the mid 60s. Presumably he shouldn't have plugged in at Newport, just given the crowd what they want? Fuck that Highway 61 shit, where's 'the times they are a-changing'

[eFestivals]

The acoustic tent has better crowds in the afternoon than turned up for Dexys headlining slot on Saturday night. I was there, I really wanted it to be good and be one of those moments where something special happens but... what the actual fuck?!! Wrong band, wrong set, wrong stage, wrong time.

Dexys pretty much emptied the Acoustic Tent. It was dull and the amateur dramatics were embarrassing. Paul Heaton should have played that slot, he was on before Dexys and the tent was jam packed with people singing along. What kind of prick would try to spoil that for people? A festival slot, especially a headliner, is not a Dexys gig, you're supposed to entertain a crowd of general music fans with songs they know, not bore them to death with dull jazz and ridiculous fake fights. Even Metallica were better than that crap. I gave it 30 minutes and it just got worse so went to see Bryan Ferry, a man who knows how to entertain a crowd. Sorry, I like Dexys but that was shit.

I think you're being unfair. The set was advertised exactly as it would be, so anyone who went along expecting a hit-laden DMR set only has themselves to blame.

[Ruwise]

I think artists should be able to do whatever set they want to but it should be discussed with bookers and the bookers should decide how popular the said set will be. I think bearing in mind what they wanted to do they should have sub-headlined with Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott headlining as they were playing a much more festival set.

I think they made clear what they were doing so anybody who went and was dissatisfied only had themselves to blame though.

[MisterSitter]

I knew this was going to happen. Some people hate anything different. I love this album, think it's the best thing Dexy's have ever done, but I stayed away from the gig cos I knew it was going to be full of tedious arseholes disgruntled audience members shouting moronically for Geno or Come on Eileen.

Rowland is following his muse, and as an artist he gets to choose what and how he plays. That's his right, that's why he's on the stage and we're not. It's not a democratic exercise, we're not all equal, that's why I'll never write anything as heartstoppingly beautiful as his best tunes.

People having a pop at him are the same as those who booed Dylan for going electric in the mid 60s. Presumably he shouldn't have plugged in at Newport, just given the crowd what they want? Fuck that Highway 61 shit, where's 'the times they are a-changing'

You're right, he's entitled to do whatever he likes when performing live but he's obviously not intelligent enough to either turn down the headline slot or adjust his set to the crowd he's performing to. If he wants to be a tortured artist and mock everyone who likes his old stuff then he should have done what Julian Cope did and play a slot at an earlier time on a different stage. If you're headlining a stage on a Saturday night at a festival as big as Glastonbury then you need to be playing crowd pleasers, not trying to sell new shit that no one is interested in.

To be honest i don't blame Kevin, he shot himself in the foot and he's the one that suffers but whoever booked Dexys in that slot really should find another role at the festival, maybe working in the car park or bars would be more suitable because they obviously don't understand how to program a line up.

[eFestivals]

I knew this was going to happen. Some people hate anything different. I love this album, think it's the best thing Dexy's have ever done, but I stayed away from the gig cos I knew it was going to be full of tedious arseholes disgruntled audience members shouting moronically for Geno or Come on Eileen.

I didn't hear any shouting for those (tho I wasn't there from the start), but they got played anyway.

'Jackie Wilson' (der-der-der-der-da, etc) was the chorus from the crowd ... and it drew a smile and jokey comment from Rolands, rather than the disdain I expected from him.

Edited July 3, 2014 by eFestivals

[A Guy Called Matt]

I didn't hear any shouting for those (tho I wasn't there from the start), but they got played anyway.

'Jackie Wilson' (der-der-der-der-da, etc) was the chorus from the crowd ... and it drew a smile and jokey comment from Rolands, rather than the disdain I expected from him.

From pretty much the start people were shouting 'Geno' and 'Come on Eileen'.

I felt sorry for a lady next to us - she had bought her daughter along and was telling her that Dexys MR were the band she loved when she was her daughters age and that she would love them.

The daughter did not love them at all and they left after 30 minutes. I guess the mum had not read what was going to be performed like lots.