Posted on 08 July 2008 by The Line Of Best Fit
Mariam from Wildbirds and Peacedrums. On board the Bella Union bus.
The final day. Bella Union have done a fantastic job of providing a little bubble in the midst of the madness - a haven of interesting performances from fantastic bands and not a market research questionnaire or corporate sponsor in sight. Incredible.
Pete has been raving about Kaki King for days now. He’s lucky not to miss her set as he turns up half an hour late. Arriving flustered, hot and bothered he’s obviously relieved to see her sitting on a nearby table and not playing. He quickly launches into a passionate rant about Sunday train services. Rich buys him a cider - partly because he looks like he needs it, partly to shut him up. Continue Reading
Posted on 06 July 2008 by The Line Of Best Fit
Sleeping States, Bella Union Stage
Words: Rich Thane & Peter Bloxham Photographs: Rich Thane
It’s day 3 already! We must be really enjoying ourselves. After battling a rather severe headache from the previous nights festivities what we severely needed today was some gentle, soothing music to ease us into Saturday. What we really could’ve done without was DANCE day. Neither Rich nor Pete are experienced in ‘larging it’ ‘having it large’ or the science of ‘waaaheeeey’ and are in no fit state to try.
The main stages today are hosting the ‘very best in cutting edge dance music.’ And Fatboy Slim. This is literally Rich Thane’s idea of hell, as he explicitly states on a number of occasions. Luckily, the corporate festival anti-christ that is the Bella Union stage will be working against the grain to provide us with another series of unique, broken down sets from some outstanding alternative acts. Hooray! Continue Reading
Posted on 05 July 2008 by The Line Of Best Fit
Burning Leaves, Bella Union Stage
Words: Rich Thane, Peter Bloxham and Jude Clarke. Photographs: Rich Thane
Yesterdays events certainly took their toll on TLOBF. What with the rain, the uneccessary walking, the rain, the pretty awful lineup on the main stages and, not to mention the rain. But we are not to be defeated - after all, we’re here for 4 days - it’s a marathon of stamina ladies and gents. Yes, Thursday = wash out. The bad weather conditions meant people were keeping under cover and pretty much ignoring the fantastic music on offer at the big red double decker. Alas, today was a whole different kettle of fish. Triumphant is the word best to describe the events of the Bella Union stage.
We make a start on day two with a pint on the roof terrace of the Big Chill House in Kings Cross, soon to be joined by friend of TLOBF - Dave. The weather is looking glorious so Pete suggests that we walk to Hyde Park. Rich Thane is restrained by Dave. We arrive at Green Park and walk straight to the press entrance and over to watch Black Kids with the minimum of fuss. Rich Thane is clearly pleased by this and remarks that ‘Today is going be awesome!’ a number of times. We purchase some pear cider and go to sit on the grass by the Bella Union stage. Black Kids, by the way weren’t very good. Probably owing more to shit sound rather than the fact that they’re just shit. Because they’re not. Well, at least Pete doesn’t think they are. Dave seems unimpressed and Rich just wants some pear cider. Continue Reading
Posted on 04 July 2008 by The Line Of Best Fit
Words : Rich Thane & Peter Bloxham. Photographs: Rich Thane
Corporate festivals. Not normally the kind of place you’d find TLOBF. Not because we’re snobs or anything, you know - it’s just that the lineups are always a little on the shit side. Luckily for Wireless then, that they decided to ask much loved and respected London based label Bella Union (home to Fleet Foxes, Beach House, Lift To Experience, Explosions In The Sky) to host their very own stage. Giving the casual music fan a more ‘alternative’ festival experience. On paper, a fantastic idea - but can they pull it off at a festival that’s more concerned with brand awareness than the actual music? Well, that’s what we’re here to find out. Label boss and ex-Cocteau Twin Simon Raymonde kindly invited TLOBF to cover the 4 day event on their behalf. To take in the sites and sounds and give you, dear reader an insight into the weekends shenanigans.
Day 1 [Thursday 3rd July]
11:40 TLOBF meet at Kings Cross and decide that it would be a totally super idea to casually stroll to Hyde Park. It’s a ‘reasonable walk’ but ‘being as it’s such a glorious day and all’ we set off.
30 minutes down the line and we spot a rather awesome looking pub. It must be graduation day for some University students as they stand outside the pub in throngs. That doesn’t put us off though. Pear Cider and Guiness on a hot summers day. Is there anything better in life. Seriously… We’re in high spirits as we leave the pub and undertake the last mile to Hyde Park. Which is where it all goes a bit wrong. Continue Reading
