Don’t Miss ______________ At Glastonbury ’11
Benjamin Francis Leftwich –
Acoustic, Saturday
[12:00-12:40]
Pictures
Probably more suited to the lovesick puppy-couple than the boys-on-tour benefactor, Benjamin’s name may be a mouthful, but his relaxed Damien Rice whisper sure isn’t.
Easygoing sounds to ease the Saturday morning hangover.
Stornoway –
Pyramid Stage, Saturday
[11:00 – 11:45]
Zorbing
You may remember Stornoway from last year’s Glastonbury coverage on the BBC. They won (or rather earned) exclusive prime-time telly space thanks to that steady establishment BBC Introducing, and as a result ‘Zorbing‘ fluttered in and around your ears and straw-hat.
It’s only been a year, but in that time these guys have signed with 4AD and will be stepping up to the dizzy heights of that famous Pyramid.
Gonjasufi –
West Holts, Friday
[15:15 – 16:15]
Ancestors
Gonjasufi is the stage name of Sumach Ecks, and garnered well-deserved attention from Warp Records in 2008 after an impromptu appearance on Flying Lotus‘ album Los Angeles, singing vocals on the track ‘Testament’.
He reminds me in some ways of Gil Scott-Heron, and I really couldn’t even begin to tell you how bizarre his stage show is. You’ll just have to see for yourself.
Big Boi –
West Holts, Saturday
[22:45 – 23:45]
Daddy Fat Sax
Big Boi is the typically strange stage name of Antwan Patton, better known as the other half of Outkast. Whilst his other half is perceived as the visionary in their group’s simply staggering musical career, Big Boi’s debut album Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty, is without a doubt one of the best hip-hop albums since the heyday of Dr Dre, Public Enemy and A Tribe Called Quest, and counterpart Andre Benjamin certainly isn’t looking likely to produce anything as good any time soon.
Lykke Li –
The Park, Sunday
[20:00 – 21:00]
Youth Knows No Pain
Swedish indie girl Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson is outrageously talented, recording her first album when she was only 19. Now her second album Wounded Rhymes is universally acclaimed and she finds herself with an (almost) headline slot on The Park stage.
She was brilliant on Later… and will be fantastic here.
Battles –
John Peel, Saturday
[21:00 – 22:00]
Ice Cream (Featuring Matias Aguayo)
Math rock for the most established and complex dancers out there. By now I’m sure everyone knows ‘Atlas‘, be it from commercials or the PS3 game Little Big Planet.
Expect moments of triumph, completely accessible but weirdly experimental freak-outs, and a barrage of guest singers that may or may not include Gary Numan.
Warpaint –
John Peel, Saturday
[16:50 – 17:40]
Undertow
After my visit to the BBC studios to witness the recording of the marvellous Later…With Jools Holland, I came away with utter infatuation for this LA female quartet. Despite hearing a number of recordings prior to their performance, the transformation this song undergoes in the live environment is simply staggering.
The strongest feature of Warpaint is not their mascara, but the unbelievable rhythm section they bestow. Coupled with the cleverly scattered beats, the huge clomping bass-lines sound fantastic and cause all heads to bob to the grooves. Furthermore, despite brooding dark mood music, the girls are clearly having the time of their lives on stage, and it’s completely entertaining to watch.
Queens of The Stone Age –
Other Stage, Sunday
[22:00 – 23:15]
Regular John
Up for some rainy moshing to conclude your Sunday night? The uber cool Josh Homme and co. would love to make your (by this point) bedraggled acquaintance. Recording is well under way for their sixth studio album, Homme declares “What we were doing was kind of bluesy, and now it’s turned into this trancey, broken thing. The robots are back!” Perhaps thoust moshing shalt be deemed useless and a rave is on the cards?
Either way, you might even catch a glimpse of that Dave Grohl chap.
James Blake –
The Park, Saturday
[21:30 – 22:15]
I Only Know (What I Know Now)
When every graduate leaves University forever, many are undoubtedly forlorn by the daunting prospect of leaving the best days of their life behind and perusing our terrible job-market for a full time job.
Not Londoner James Blake I’m afraid. This 22-year-old marched unperturbed from his Goldsmiths Popular Music degree with a firm foot already in the music industry’s back door. Now he’s playing Glasto, nice.
Fleet Foxes : Other Stage, Friday
[19:10 – 20:15]
Grown Ocean
Hallelujah! my ears rejoiced as Robin Pecknold informed the world of the new Fleet Foxes‘ record Helplessness Blues. The Seattle harmoniser’s critically acclaimed second-album is already amongst the top end of many end of year lists.
I was lucky enough to see them at a very delectable Hammersmith Apollo appearance at the end of May, and they blew my mind.
