Sometimes the Sun (part four)
The fourth and final part of this Sundae on the Common review. (Parts one, two, three)
The Thrills
Ten minutes into the Thrills and somebody nudges me to point out that Bernard Butler, previously of Suede, is standing behind us. It is hard to miss him...this is not an indie gig full of black-haired shoegazers after all. Not having feelings either way on the man, I shrug and go back to pretending to care about another summery guitar band.
Like BSP, The Thrills performed a set that proved they had the right to be on their stage. I offer them a handful of praise because they sound a cut above yer average shower of angular guitars, replacing the punkier aspects with a dreamier, 60s summer vibe. But the retro tune to which they dance is frustrating and mires them in a swamp of like-minded and ephemeral bands they will find hard to escape. Even with the increased ballsiness that had characterised recent live performances.
We watch and enjoy today's set with a faintly detached air. The pogoing kids at the front are bouncing happily but the common is hardly set on fire here. The songs for which they are not famous pass by with a confident but workmanlike air. Occasionally I hear comments from people around me that go "oh yeah, I recognise this one...it's, you know, thingy."
Thingy indeed. Around this point Bernard Butler wanders off to the sound of phone cameras making their absurd and artificial shutter sound. Was he as touched by indifference as we were? Ah, but what the hell. How could we be wowed by their jubilant charms when the sound system was barely turned up to 3? The band seemed to be far, far away despite physically being close enough to see the sweat on their brows.
So...they may be better than many of their peers, but I fear their future lies squarely in the guitar compilation CD market, Big Sur on CD1 and, er, that other one on CD2.
I went home before the encore to avoid the rush onto the tube. Which is as good a summary as any of my feelings toward the band.
Festival Conclusion
This was not an overwhelming festival and we will not be talking about it for the weeks to come, never mind the years. But we came away soothed and chilled...it was a solid start to what will doubtless be a dependable annual event. Just turn up the music and keep away those goddamn clouds. That's the law, damn it.
The Thrills
Ten minutes into the Thrills and somebody nudges me to point out that Bernard Butler, previously of Suede, is standing behind us. It is hard to miss him...this is not an indie gig full of black-haired shoegazers after all. Not having feelings either way on the man, I shrug and go back to pretending to care about another summery guitar band.
Like BSP, The Thrills performed a set that proved they had the right to be on their stage. I offer them a handful of praise because they sound a cut above yer average shower of angular guitars, replacing the punkier aspects with a dreamier, 60s summer vibe. But the retro tune to which they dance is frustrating and mires them in a swamp of like-minded and ephemeral bands they will find hard to escape. Even with the increased ballsiness that had characterised recent live performances.
We watch and enjoy today's set with a faintly detached air. The pogoing kids at the front are bouncing happily but the common is hardly set on fire here. The songs for which they are not famous pass by with a confident but workmanlike air. Occasionally I hear comments from people around me that go "oh yeah, I recognise this one...it's, you know, thingy."
Thingy indeed. Around this point Bernard Butler wanders off to the sound of phone cameras making their absurd and artificial shutter sound. Was he as touched by indifference as we were? Ah, but what the hell. How could we be wowed by their jubilant charms when the sound system was barely turned up to 3? The band seemed to be far, far away despite physically being close enough to see the sweat on their brows.
So...they may be better than many of their peers, but I fear their future lies squarely in the guitar compilation CD market, Big Sur on CD1 and, er, that other one on CD2.
I went home before the encore to avoid the rush onto the tube. Which is as good a summary as any of my feelings toward the band.
Festival Conclusion
This was not an overwhelming festival and we will not be talking about it for the weeks to come, never mind the years. But we came away soothed and chilled...it was a solid start to what will doubtless be a dependable annual event. Just turn up the music and keep away those goddamn clouds. That's the law, damn it.
posted by Jamie at 3:20 PM
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