Glasgowbury 2012

So the Glasgowbury Festival is over for another year. Thousands of music fans, myself included, climbed up the side of a mountain for a wonderful celebration of the great local music on offer in Draperstown. With 50 bands playing over the course of the day from many different genres, there was something for everyone throughout the day. Here are my thoughts on the festival

Highlights

It'll probably come as no surprise that my favourite performance of the evening came from The Wonder Villains. Despite some apparent technical difficulties during the set (during "TV", it seemed that Cheylene's keyboard was not turned on), they put on a wonderfully energetic set. They even debuted a new song, which is about Bruce Springsteen.

Ska-punk group Pocket Billiards put in a great performance on the Small But Massive Stage, which really got the crowd going. Eimear from the aforementioned Villains got on the already crowded stage to sing lead vocals on one song. 

Derry singer/songwriter Soak was one of the few artists who played twice during the festival, once before the festival officially began to pre-record a live set for BBC Radio Foyle, and once during her set on the G Spot Stage. Such was the anticipation for her performance that the tent was already crowded five minutes before she took to the stage. 

Elsewhere, folk group Sons of Caliber put on a reliably strong performance, the lullaby-folk of The Jeppetos was gorgeous, and Best Boy Grip were also enjoyable. 

Although it wasn't musical, seeing a festival goer dressed up as the titular character from Hayao Miyazaki's film My Neighbour Totoro brought a smile to my face. 

Surprises

The great thing about the festival is coming across artists that you had never heard of and falling in love with them. Limerick band Fox Jaw Bounty Hunters really blew me away with their riff-heavy melodic rock. Think Queens of the Stone Age covered in daggers and it gives you an idea of their sound. It was a pity that you could count the amount of people in the tent by the end of their set on your digits.

Another band that impressed me were brassy septet Dead Presidents. They've got an upbeat sound that mixes funk, soul and jazz, with lead singer Matthew Wilson sounding like a young Van Morrison. The crowd loved their performance as well, with the crowd carrying Matthew at the end of their set. Also great was Wexford based Ian Doyle, aka The Man Whom, who performed solo with an acoustic guitar and a loop pedal to create live backing tracks on the fly.

Also, it was great to discover that a former classmate of mine is the new viola player for Rams' Pocket Radio, playing his debut gig for them during the festival.

Stuff I Missed.

Due to the nature of clashes of festival times and other factors, there were a few acts that I would have liked to see but missed out on, Including RunawayGo, The 1930s, Droids, The Japanese Popstars, and perhaps most annoyingly of all, the headliners Therapy?. If you managed to catch any of these artists on the day, feel free to let me know how awesome they were/weren't.

Food

I didn't see a single piece of fruit for sale at the festival. Although there were three burger stands, two coffee places and an ice-cream truck.

Photos

SOAK playing just before the festival officially got underway. 

Tied to Machines 

The cutesy folk of The Jepettos 

Limerick's Fox Jaw Bounty Hunters, one of the surprise packages of the festival. 

The lovely ladies from The Wonder Villains 

Matthew Wilson of The Dead Presidents enjoying a surf. He lost his tie in the kerfuffle. 

Pocket Billiards with Eimear from The Wonder Villains. 

Acoustic loop madness from The Man Whom

----------------------------------------------------

So what did you make of Glasgowbury 2012? What were you favourite moments? Be sure to leave a comment. 

Northern Ireland Festival Watch Part 2 - Glasgowbury/Sunflowerfest/Stendhal Festival of Art

As summer approaches quicker than Eric Pickles at an all-you-can-eat curry house,, The Metaphorical Boat is going to guide you through some of the festivals on offer in Northern Ireland in 2012, from the big, the small, to the not so big and the not so small. The first part can be found here.  This second installment features Glasgowbury, Sunflowerfest and Stendhal Festival of Art.
------------------------

Glasgowbury

What is it?  
Seen as the jewel in the metaphorical crown of Northern Ireland's festival season, the "Small But Massive" festival's aim is to "nurture young creative talent while providing a platform for the Irish music scene," a vision that has seen it pick up a plethora of awards.


Where is it?  
Draperstown, in County (London)Derry. And definitely not in Glasgow, as I had originally thought when I first discovered the festival.

When is it?
Saturday 21st July 2012.

How Much Is It? 
Between £30-£40


Who's headlining? 
The festival will be headlined by alt-rock legends, Therapy?, on the back of their "Brief Crack of Light" album, which has seen the band gain their best reviews for quite a while. Expect absolute mayhem when their big hits like "Screamager" and "Nowhere" start up.




Who else is playing? 
As if having a set from The Wonder Villains isn't exciting enough, there's sets from some of the most wonderful acts in the province. Robert Smith collaborators The Japanese Popstars should bring their electric live show to town, while there are also sets from Lafaro, RunawayGO, Sons of Caliber, Amidships, VerseChorusVerse & Our Krypton Son, amongst other names.


Website?
Clickety Click-Click.
--------------------------

Sunflowerfest

What is it?  
One of the quirkier festivals on offer, Sunflowerfest will have therapy areas, a debating room and a boutique crafts village in addition to several stages of music. They get props for calling their main stage the Finn McCool stage, even if it brings back traumatic memories of my P5 school play.


Where is it?  
Tubby's Farm, Hillsborough. Just 10 miles from Belfast Centre.

When is it?
Friday 17th-Sunday 19th August 2012.

How Much Is It? 
£49 for the weekend.

Who's headlining? 
Top billing is shared by six bands. 90s dance pioneers Dreadzone, performance poet/rapper Scroobius Pip, Brassroots, Irish funk-rockers Republic of Loose, double winners of the Choice Music Prize Jape, and our very own Duke Special.



Who else is playing? 
A host of names from across UK & Ireland. Blog picks include The Wonder Villains (of course), Lanterns on the Lake, Elspeth, Parachutes Over Paris, A Plastic Rose, Katie & the Carnival and Katharine Philippa.



Website?
Al Gore invented hyperlinks. Fact.
------------------------------------

Stendhal Festival of Art

What is it?  
According to its curators, the festival exist to "inspire the discovery of performing and visual arts, showcasing local, national and international artists, with a reputation for innovation and exceptional hospitality."


Where is it?  
Ballymunny Cottage Farm, Limavady, Co. (London)Derry.

When is it?
Friday 17th & Saturday 18th August 2012.

How Much Is It? 
£25 for the weekend. £20 for Saturday only. £10 for just Friday.


Who's headlining? 
Henry McCullough, famous for playing with Paul McCartney in Wings.



Who else is playing? 
Many names from the county are on the bill, as well as several from further afield. Artists worth mentioning include Best Boy Grip, Silhouette, Furlo, Axis of, Exit Pursued by Bear (there's not enough post-rock bands named after Shakespearean stage directions), Intermission (featuring ex-members of Karma 45) and Master & Dog. There is also a Limavady band called General Biscuit playing, although I know nothing of them, apart from the fact that I absolutely adore their name.




Website?
Click. Click. Click to the click.
------------------------------------
So that's three more festivals taking place in NI this summer. Are you going to grace any of them with your presence this year? What do you think of the lineups? Are you as confused as I am as to why there's a question mark in Therapy?? Let me know in the comments section below.

Northern Ireland Festival Watch Part 1 - Belsonic/Tennent's Vital/Pigstock

As we near closer into the summer months, The Metaphorical Boat is going to guide you through some of the festivals on offer in Northern Ireland in 2012, from the big, the small, to the not so big and the not so small. This first installment features Belsonic, Tennent's Vital, and Pigstock.

------------------------

Belsonic 

What is it?  
Less of a festival and more of a series of gigs under the same banner, Belsonic is one of Belfast's premier summer music events. It's ability to attract world class names, as well as incredibly strong supporting acts, adds to its prestige.


Where is it?  
Custom House Square, in Belfast City Centre.

When is it?
Wednesday 15th August to Sunday 26th August 2012.

How Much Is It? 
Depending on what day you go on, £22.50-£30 (plus booking fee)


Who's headlining? 
The headliners this year are  Tom Jones, James Morrison, Skrillex,Thin Lizzy, Emili Sande,  Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Madness, David Guetta, Paramore and local boys Two Door Cinema Club.



Who else is playing? 
Some of the line-ups are yet to be formalised. Currently announced support includes The Enemy, Noah & the Whale, Dillon Francis and FM.


The festivals reputation for featuring local artists on the bill remains in place this year, with Foy Vance (Emili Sande), The Answer & Sweet Savage (playing with what purports to be Thin Lizzy), and The Cast of Cheers, who join Two Door Cinema Club on Thursday 23rd August.

EDIT 25th May - New supporting artists announced include Duke Special (playing with Emili Sande), Newton Falkner and Gareth Dunlop (with James Morrison), Jody Has a Hitlist (supporting Paramore), with Brian Kennedy announced as the support for Tom Jones.



Website? 
Can be found here.
-----------------------------------------

Tennents Vital

What is it?  
After a 4 year hiatus, Tennent's Vital re-launched itself last year with an explosive headline set from Eminem. Now the two day event returns this year to remind people what made it so great in the first place.


Where is it?  
Boucher Road Playing Fields, Belfast.

When is it?
Tuesday 21st & Wednesday 22nd August. It has been scheduled to avoid a conflict with Belsonic's dates.

How Much Is It? 
£49.50 per day


Who's headlining? 
Tuesday sees American rock legends Foo Fighters take to the stage, whilst Wednesday sees recently reformed Manchester group Stone Roses play to the crowd.



Who else is playing? 
The Black Keys and Dublin rock and rollers The Minutes have been announced for Tuesday, with Florence & the Machine and classical guitarists Rodrigo y Gabriella confirmed for Wednesday.


The festival is also running "Tennent's Untapped", a competition that will see two local unsigned bands winning the opportunity to open the event. Blog favourites such as Best Boy Grip, The Jepettos, Two Glass Eyes and Pretty Child Backfire are among the 16 acts hoping to win the opportunity to play the biggest gig of their life.


Website? 
This text is in a different colour, which means clicking here will bring you to its website.

--------------------------------

Pigstock

What is it?  
Established in 2008, Pigstock offers a variety of great music from all corners of Ireland at a very reasonable price. It was nominated for Best Festival at the Northern Irish Music Awards in 2011.


Where is it?  
In the village of Killinchy, County Down. Population is 491, which multiplies by at least four times during Pigstock weekend.

When is it?
Friday June 1st- Sunday June 3rd 2012, making it one of the first music festivals of the summer

How Much Is It? 
£35 for the weekend, £20 if you are only going on Saturday 2nd.


Who's headlining? 
Belfast band Fighting With Wire are headlining on Friday night, with Mojo Fury headlining the Main Stage on Saturday.


Who else is playing? 
Some brilliant musicians from across the island of Ireland. Some of the blog's tips include Kowalski, RunawayGo, the ever energetic Pocket Billiards, Squarehead, Silhouette, Eatenbybears, and my own personal favourite, Not Squares.


One of the more inspired bookings this year is Irish electronica artist Mmoths, a recent signing to the Beggar's Group who is about to enter the stratosphere. Whether he can transfer his atmospheric sound over to the live arena remains to be seen.





Website? 
You know the drill.
----------------------------

So what are your thoughts on these three festivals? Are you going to any of them? Are you excited about the line-ups? Let me know in the comments below.