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Jody White spills the beans on this year’s Bestival in Robin Hill Country Park, Isle of Wight, Friday 5th – Saturday 6th - Sunday 7th September

Did Rob Da Bank unwittingly curse this year’s event with his undersea theme? It’s really wild conjecture, but a wet-suit would have been entirely appropriate attire for what has become a popular annual pilgrimage to the Isle of Wight.

As the decidedly drab summer was chased off into the distance by horrendous downpours, the usually lush Robin Hill site was rapidly transformed into shin-deep filth, and the glutinous squelch of the main thoroughfares quickly began to test the party spirit. Leaking tents and sodden clothes meant the atmosphere was not quite the carefree hedonistic experience many were expecting, although in true British spirit most got stuck in and attempted to make the best of a sticky situation.

The trademark Bestival frivolity wasn’t entirely dampened though. Given momentum by the rather fantastic musical line up, a heady cocktail of inebriants seemed to ease the crowds into the fun-zone without too much difficulty.

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Teeside three-piece Dartz took a temporary sabbatical from music while trying to finish their studies at university, but the lure of making and playing is too strong. Hence, new mini-album The Sad History of the Village of Albnerique, a collection of angular, almost discordant neopop numbers reminiscent of the post-punk era but also incessantly modern. Not so many A-grade winners as on their debut but this is a consistently driven and dynamic work.

Sometimes unfairly maligned, the hugely popular Travis are popular for good reason – they write great songs, full of strong melodies and often with a pleasing melancholic undertow (my aunt had ‘Flowers in the Window’ played at her funeral). Read the rest of this article »

At the other end of the age spectrum 72-year-old Glen Campbell is a legend of rock and pop, having made over 70 albums, played for some of the greatest including Presley and Sinatra, had a few monster hits, hosted his own TV show for three years, acted alongside John Wayne in True Grit, had problems with alcohol and drug abuse, been married four times…

Well, the old terrier is at it again with Meet Glen Campbell, a collection of covers including tunes by the likes of Travis, Tom Petty, Foo Fighters, The Replacements, Velvet Underground, John Lennon et al. A superb countryrock sound throughout.

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Nick Alwinckle reviews this year’s Loop Festival in Brighton

From the looks of it, this second year of Brighton’s very own electronic music festival has ironed out the few teething problems from last year’s event. The stages have been opened out, with bigger tents to let more people see the bands and the first event’s evident sound problems have been eliminated. The only thing that could spoil things, then, is the acts involved.

Bristol rockers Turbowolf **, unfortunately, are a less than perfect band for the early afternoon, starting proceedings shakily.

Transformer

Providing big riffs and some punkish energy, their sole qualification as an electronic band is in having a keyboard player providing the odd plinky-plonk flourish, though this is disjointed and wholly separate to the main musical body.

Their songs simply aren’t strong enough to make them last in memory after the set, and things can only get better from here. Brighton boys Transformer ** are next up and have a lot on their shoulders.

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