Jersey, the chipped fleck of West country that's almost hitting the French coast, is playing host once more to a festival that might not be able to lay claim to the term 'boutique' very much longer. Headliners like Dizzee Rascal and Basement Jaxx (and all right, all right, the bloody Kooks) tend to rule you out of that now prolific sector. Them and 10,000 people that is. Now in its sixth year these tiny islanders (more people head down to Glastonbury than live on the whole of Jersey) are well into their stride and want the big time.
An initial wander about the site finds everything in its right place with a smart layout and a nice natural incline leading down to the main stage reminding me somewhat of Brixton Academy. The booze isn't too murderously expensive either and the vendors at the various stalls are willing to be beaten down on price with a little doe eye charm.
With the bright sunshine of a much appreciated late summer turn bringing out the hoards and their multi-coloured sunglasses day one is all set to go. The Dirty Aces break out the harmonica on the main stage providing a lively kick off. I can see them going down well at the House of Blues in Vegas, but perhaps not Sunset. Canadian act Brave Yesterday follow with confident swearing and swagger that can't hide the nu-emo Fightstar-lite sound.
Over to the dance tent then - a safe retreat for the early damned - where DJ Spim plays to a sparse crowd but it's dark so nobody cares. Things change fast around here though and gangs of people blow in and out at regular intervals. From where I'm listening not a lot has been done with drum and bass since I was a kid and Terminal State aren't about to push things forward either but the MC made the crowd grow. Much talent.
Back at the main stage The Antlers are bursting their UK cherry with the first trip over to these shores from NYC. Their dramatic angle is a tad over-thought but there's no denying the class on display. If you're partial to a bit of The Walkmen, Jesus and Mary or Spiritualized then you'll find yourself at home with these guys.
I stopped to chat to some locals and as far as they were concerned the festival can do no wrong. They had come with their kids and the overall atmosphere was indeed conducive to a younger audience. At times it had the feel of an underage festival. That's a good thing by the way as mostly this demographic don't need a five pint head start to knock down the defences enough to get their dance on.
Back to the music and the Golden Silvers, who turn out to have a better band name than actual band. I'm not buying it so on we go to Les Inrocks stage for a dose of love from The Valentines who are if anything a little too perfect. They fill this tiny tent with their mid-Strokes glam pop rock and please all concerned. Eyeliner and suits are the order of the day. You may ask are they just copyists but I would reply, does it matter as long as it's good, and it is really very good. Stupid young, stupid cool and stupid good. I get a chance to have a word with the singer so you can catch the interview in a follow up piece that'll get written as soon as my DT's calm down.
As far as I can tell Frank Turner is impossible to hate or even sort of dislike a little bit. He actually stopped his main stage performance - the first of two on the day - to chill out a fight. He's a true believer with a kind of folk lilted Springsteen thing going on and is one of the only guys you wouldn't immediately think
Top Shop Slag for wearing a Ramones t-shirt. Frank belts out the old fashioned folk rock and makes people feel better about themselves. Good on him.
Dan Le Sac is a lot of fun. His 'right on' flavour can grate a bit but he's clearly a guy who likes to mess around with preconceptions. Nice new tune all about the 'Beat'. The beat, the beat, the beat...and they've lost me. Beardyman comes on straight after and he poses a problem. This kind of mental beat-boxing will only encourage others to give it a go and there is very little on this planet worse than a dire beat-boxer. Maybe stuff involving eyes and flesh eating ants, but it would be a close run thing. Kids, leave the beats to those that can.
Another wander around the site taking in some of Passion Pit and Twisted Wheel who both did their thing to an adequate degree but no more. Quite frankly all this swollen crowd are after is a glimpse of the Man of the Summer, Mr.Dizzee Rascal, and he doesn't disappoint. All the hits are here along with a new one that is bound to bounce straight into the #1 spot. The people respond with love and all it takes is a finale from Basement Jaxx and a bunch of fireworks to make the first day a full on success.
Nearly. The coaches provided to get us all back to town can't handle the demand meaning hour long queues and a fair number of people getting the hump. Bit of a shame but it doesn't take the shine off the day and everyone gets away eventually to grab some much needed sleep before starting it all again tomorrow.
Day 2 and some moody old YouTube clips to follow...
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Jersey Live Festival...
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Jersey Live Festival - 5th September 2009
Re: Jersey Live Festival - 5th September 2009
