Glastonbury | livemusic.fm

Blur, Neil Young at Review

Glastonbury

3/5
Bands: Neil Young, Blur
Venue:
Gig: Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts '09
Gig date: 24th June 2009
Posted on 1st July 2009 by johnbeyer

If last year was a spectacular comeback for Glastonbury, this was more of a routine victory. Tickets sold out quickly, the sun shone bright and its three-pronged attack of Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen and Blur had more than enough firepower to wow the Worthy Farm faithful. Without a controversial headliner like Jay-Z, however, it lacked a little for drama. Indeed, many of the best moments were to be found away from the larger spaces. Disco darling Little Boots got things going at the John Peel stage, where her infectious electropop had the crowd partying like it was 1989. On the fist-pumping new single Remedy, Little Boots sounded ready to step into bigger shoes. It was crazy horse Neil Young who kicked hardest on Friday, however. With hair and voice remarkably intact, the Sixties icon kept us rocking in the free world. His two-hour set covered his many guises — from grizzly rock monster on Cinnamon Girl, to tree-hugging hippie on Mother Earth (Natural Anthem). On Saturday, Spinal Tap took to the Pyramid stage “direct from hell”. Sex Farm had a funky makeover, while Big Bottom featured notorious mooner Jarvis Cocker on bass. It was Dizzee Rascal, however, who really turned things up to 11. Coming to Glastonbury on the back of two number ones, the Londoner’s rise from left-field grime upstart to fully-fledged pop phenomenon is now complete, and his high-octane set was met with utter pandemonium. New material such as Road Rage and Holiday sounded like future favourites, while Bonkers sent the crowd, well, bonkers. A few more hits and he could be headlining next year’s festival. Status Quo certainly won’t but the Essex stalwarts are great for a Sunday singalong. While that fourth chord remains elusive, Whatever You Want and In The Army Now were rollicking rock’n’roll for the biggest of stages. Over at one of the smaller ones, Glen Tillbrook provided a great Glastonbury moment by performing old Squeeze numbers backed by his young son on bongos. “The spirit of Glastonbury is still alive,” he said, “but particularly on the fringes.” You’d have agreed too but headliners Blur enjoyed a Glastonbury moment of their own. During the chant-like Tender, the crowd sang its refrain of “Love’s the greatest thing” and music’s power to connect people felt almost palpable. A few more exciting signings next year, and Glastonbury will remain the festival to beat. By Rick Pearson http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/gig-419894-details/Glastonbury+Festi...

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