Made an early start and decided to see Squid who were on the Reds stage at 1200. They're an amazing band, a complete revelation. They manage to pack more ideas into one song than most bands do during their entire career. Definitely getting some of their music. Their music is described as krautrock and psych on Bandcamp and I can hear that but like most great bands they are difficult to pigeonhole. I was thinking of sacrificing a couple of bands to watch Utd playing Spurs later but might have a rethink if we keep getting bands this good. The Luka State are next who hail from Winsford where Steve is from. Not sure if I have a clear enough grasp of semiotics to imagine if that's a good omen or not.
Squid: taken from Rockaway Beach Twitter feed
The Luka State are a bit conservative and are obviously indebted to bands like Oasis and the Manic Street Preachers. The singer/guitarist has a Johnny Marr style going on and they are a bit boring to be honest after Squid. The crowd is noticeably smaller than the one for Squid but they enthusiastically try and motivate us, with little success though.
The Luka State
Hedging towards watching Utd at half 4 so will give Yassasin a go who are yet another female band. If you like your rock 'n' roll with passion and intelligence then Yassasin is your band. Frank was complaining about the tone emanating from one of the guitars which makes me glad I'm not a musician like him. I've been pleasantly surprised by most of the bands which I'd never heard of. Shows there is a thriving music scene still.
Yassasin: taken from Rockaway Beach Twitter feed
As Utd managed an a 'against all the odds' win earlier I'm glad I eschewed a couple of bands. Fresh from battered halloumi we're at the main stage for the last time. Art Brut are a bit preachy contrived for my taste but they do have a certain energy and humour: Frank and Jay are appalled.
Art Brut: taken from Rockaway Beach Twitter feed
Echo and The Bunnymen draw the curtain on the weekend and whilst they boast the coolest front man (apart from Barry Adamson) on show, they are indicative of the general mood of the festival. It all feels very pedestrian and middle aged, the Bunnymen play a lovely version of Nothing Lasts Forever, which seems appropriate, before morphing it into Lou Reed's Walk on The Wild Side, which seems inappropriate.
On the positive side: made some progress with the challenge and saw some good bands. My favourites were: Squid, Barry Adamson, Menace Beach, Yassasin, Goat Girl, and The Orielles. On the negative side, I think I'd sooner be shacked up with just Ruth for festivals but as we've already booked accommodation for Lisbon looks like I will have to endure. Talking of enduring it's nearly time for the journey home.
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