Well, promised I’d report today so here’s the skinny before I get another much-needed early-ish night. This is a record for longest entry by the way. Fuck it, get a coffee and take a few minutes off.
Friday
A bus trip to begin with then featuring Stu, Graham and Claire. Loud Manc cocks offer a premonition of neds to come. Classic anticipated festival trauma as alcohol-laden bags are carted through 2 hours of queuing. Manage to manufacture some entertainment in critique of fellow campers’ shit Burberry gear and by passing thirsty Claire the ‘water’ bottle full of vodka, ha ha.
Camped eventually, cool site with free entertainment in the form of a troupe of undernourished ned chimpanzees screaming GAZEBO as they boot their 50p football into their saltire overhanging and pull one others’ appalling mullets.
A few welcome beers later Darren gets in and Al arrives with shocking hayfever. We get the remaining tents up and get the party down. An all-consuming thirst kicks in. The sun gradually goes down on our Miller devastation.
Much beer and vodka and coke later the main perpetrators (me/al/stu/darren) are holding a dozen conversations simultaneously and keeping everyone in nearby tents chuckling with the uttery filthy quick-fire banter. Keira and Caroline join the abuse and at some daylight hour people fall about in various heaps.
Saturday
Weather plays tricks and hints at an overcast day, belying the 1200W microwave effect soon to kick in. We venture out without sun cream to be comprehensively Ra’d over the day. The theme emerges at this point that running about after bands will take a poor second to relaxing and having a laugh.
Snow Patrol play with ego and a slow start but still charm. Har Mar Superstar jumps around like a sweaty cockless Ron Jeremy puppet. Idlewild coyly sing out from under their fringes and remind people of all their good songs. Laurent Garnier is on criminally early. Flaming Lips make an effort and are delightful in place of the Shite Pipes.
Uncle Eric joins us shortly before Rem & Stipey escape from the AIDS clinic and a brief singalong takes us back to the campsite. Again manage to drag K & C into the filth-mongering and some hilarious wine-infused conversation keeps off the cold into the early hours.
Sunday
Death Valley heat and laziness keeps us in tents for the morning while we reflect on what we’ve done. Feeling decidedly fragile the arena mission begins, initially not going well as a chance meeting with my ex turns me upside down for most of day. Nevertheless squeeze trembling into baking tent for The most talented Bandits rockout. Stu weeps into his Tennents as The Thrills are moved forward to a bigger stage and we don’t find out. The Coral try and convince us that not all Liverpool kids are tichet-selling scallies but largely fail.
An afternoon lull kicks in where everyone feels somewhat dodgy and I fail to meet up with disco for the nth time. Suddenly though the day is engorged by the Sugababes and their poorly choreographed stage porn, absolutely wonderful. The Roots turn a surprise avalanche of talent and we bask in their shade. Turin Brakes have a good stab but are too slow for the hyped-up punters. Some rescue from The Streets despite their poorly-judged Braveheart nonsense, leading to the finally bowel-penetrating Underworld and Death In Vegas to ring in our exhausted ears back to the site (bereft of some casualties) for last efforts and grasping for at least some sleep.
Monday morning, an early start gets us the hell outta there and back home for cleanliness and healing slumber. Many more stories abound – Duncan, I swear we met you several times – but that’s what replies are for. Next stop Leeds!
17-Jul-03 at 10:49 am | Permalink
[Al]Well, kinda quiet this week, huh?
I reckon the excesses of the weekend are still being slept off. Good report Air – I’m impressed that your drug-ravaged brain can still manage that detailed recollection. Has to be said, some of the chat was world class. I’m sure that talking complete bollocks and making it interesting and entertaining should be regarded as an artform, if so, the kids at the weekend would be grand masters! I did, in my rather spaced-out state, bump into one of the BG crew – who noted my lack of complete conciousness and moved along quickly – I will apologise, just as soon as I remember who it was.
Thanks for the (incomplete) memories kids,Al
ps – In case you missed it, one of our favourite topics of the weekend is mentioned here
17-Jul-03 at 3:17 pm | Permalink
Good to see you enjoyed yourself.
21-Jul-03 at 1:52 pm | Permalink
Yes dude….we did meet on a number of occasions in a variety of states….although I was appreciative of hooking up on Saturday night and you introducing me to Uncle Eric. Returned to VIP (!) area and was instantly most popular man in the vicinity. Cant remember the rest of the evening other than bouncing up and down in a tent furiously and telling two ‘wegian punters that I worked for a film production company and I wanted them to dance in my next film. They bought it hook, line etc. and proceeded to introduce us to their favourite uncle aswell. Hah. gullable or what. Sunday, was rotten for 3.75 hours until a momunemtal dump in VIP toilet sorted me out and drinking ensued. Banged into Aa and Al before and during The Streets (who were superb) before heading off to catch The Charlatans who did not disappoint. Big mistake going to see Coldplay though, More like the Chris Martin show with the CD playing in the background. Yawn.. All in all a most excellent weekend though. Roll on next year.
later
Duncan (Func)
22-Jul-03 at 9:32 pm | Permalink
Big shout out to our more proactive readers btw.
07-Aug-07 at 11:31 pm | Permalink
That was a good writeup in retrospect.
Could someone possibly mention the plight of the North American Indians?