It's time for Bens #Glastonbury 2023 round-up!
*rapturous applause*
1/ at least 20 and in no particular order.....
I'll always love Manics. And there were some real 'moments', but just felt a bit past their prime - like they haven't played live in a while. Like they were doing it under duress (ie. for the money). Like school dad's who've got together to form a band. Sorry chaps.
2/?
Fantastic! Mad and fantastic! And she had her bum out! Hooray for Sudan Archives. Entertaining and mad and what a talent. Love her and the drum machine wizard was also good.
3/?
Went in with high expectations as I quite like. 20 minutes in it got turned off. There's only so much hooting and honking one can handle. Made me wish the meteor was coming.
4/?
Meh. Have always enjoyed his collaborations but it wasn't for me. I suppose I'm not the target audience. Was impressively fit though. So well done for him?
5/?
Look. I know people love Sparks, but find it impenetrable. Sometimes I just don't get stuff. Breaking Bad. Bubble tea. Sparks. I want to like them but what I secretly think is 'why don't you just fuck off'. Still, interesting to see Cate Blanchett having a breakdown whilst some weirdos sing about having a cry into your frappucino or something. I sort of like that one that goes 'this town ain't big enough for the both of us *pistol pew*', but didn't stick around to hear it.
6/?
Wondrous, joyous, marvellous. Not totally my cup of tea musically, but just magnificent. Lovely, life affirming stuff. Wife got rather cross that I spent the rest of the night referring to myself as a bad bitch.
7/?
Drummer seemed OK. The rest can get in the sea. Someone needs to have a word with Alex Turner. He needs to stop eating cocaine for his meals. A man so entirely divorced from reality, he hasn't just drunk the Kool-Aid - he was born in to it. Molded by it. I'm not a fan. But my kids love them so I watched it all which is probably why I feel so strongly.
8/?
Other people have had more to say about this and better than me, but my 5pence worth is this..... I happen to quite like her, but EVEN IF I DIDN'T, still wouldn't agree with the unbelievable personal bullshit she faced from 6 MUSIC people (of all people!). Shame. It's a sad black mark on an otherwise fantastic Glastonbury.
9/?
Yes! Entertainment incarnate! I've already said this a few times, but watching the keyboard player in his short shorts leap into the crowd with his synth, was quite something. Singer like a more unhinged Shane McGowan. Great stuff.
10/?
I suppose I have to check myself after decrying the abuse given to Billy Nomates, so will try to tread carefully here...... I love(d) Leftfield. In the 90s. And whilst there was some wonderful nostalgia, there were moments where it was like someone's given your dad half a joint at the family bbq and he's started scatting in a bad Jamaican accent and someone needs to take him home. Possibly best left in the past (brrap brrap mo fire).
11/?
Watched over two days so possibly not the most objective.
First attempt post GnR (party / drinking) - Hooray! Excellent! This is the best thing ever! Fatboy4Life.
Next day cooking - ah, good old Norman, doing what he does best. Some bold choices. OK, so he's gone for 'mostly killer' with a bit of filler. Oop, he's made a mistake there. Er.... Sounds a bit like a wedding DJ in parts.
Mostly forgivable. Fine.
12/?
Won't be for everyone, but I quite like. I think she has a tremendous voice and it all has a sort of cerebral weirdness. Not like, but in the same vibe ballpark as perhaps Bjork. A slight sense that both artists might have something serious going on, mentally, under the bonnet. Just on the right side of things but don't leave them in charge of your pets.
13/?
No idea - started watching because the orchestra had been forced to wear rave boiler suits & dance along to the drum and bass bits, and I'd never seen a person trying to rave with a tuba before. Pretty sure I caught some of the violinists super regretting their life choices when they thought the camera wasn't on them. Then as I was about to turn over, the singer had a wardrobe malfunction that kept me watching for a good 10 minutes more. Can't remember anything about the music.
14/?
I don't want to be too negative - life's too short. I get that she's a big name & was upset that the other artists (playing the main stage) got priority billing, but Glastonbury ain't cheap - paticularly for the kids, particularly in a cost of living era. To come out more than half an hour late, saying it was because you were doing your hair, is a shitty thing to do to the people who've paid to be there to see you. My kids were disappointed & for that she can get in the bin.
15/?
Hooray for Dave Grohl, Pat Smear and co. Hooray for ever. Those cheeky chaps! We don't mind about Daves voice. Absolutely marvellous stuff. The Foos do it right. One of the highlights of this year's Glastonbury.
16/?
Friends are a big fan. Never really got that into them and in fact turned down some tickets a while ago. First 5 minutes and I thought - this guy is going to seriously annoy me. Guess what? AMAZING. Who knew? Turns out they're quite brilliant. Even with the way that guy sings, which I've got to tell you, is pretty annoying. Will be trying to get tickets in future. One of the surprises of the festival for me.
17/?
Depending on who you listen to, they were either terrible or amazing. No middle ground. I've seen them live something like 6 times and I think they were tremendous. Axl looked well. I'm a bit long in the tooth for stuff like Paradise City, a song I first got excited about 36 years ago. So it was a joy to see them play some of the 'b-sides'. I recognise some of the lyrics are probably a little dated though. Still - loved.
18/?
I am approaching the end!
It was good. But after McCartney, I was really hoping for some ultra-special guests. Like a duet with actual reanimated George Michael, or possibly Ganesh or another from the Hindu pantheon. So a motown guy, some kid, a girl in a see through dress & Brandon Mormon didn't quite scratch the itch. But he was good, and he enunciated his 'st's' on Ahm Dill Danding (although missed a trick not acknowledging it imo). In many ways an excellent send off.
19/21 (the end is in sight!)
I can't quite believe I'm going to say this, but my absolute favourite of the whole festival! More so than even the FF! Unbelievable. First saw them support Foos in Hyde Park 2006. Had never heard of them - they blew me away. As good as they were then, they've matured into what is now quintessentially their sound. Not always initially obviously brilliant, but when it falls into place it's like lightning. Josh Homme is the coolest guy in music.
20/21
Ha-ha! I lied! Although QOTSA were in many ways my festival favourite, the actual surprise number 1 performer and highlight extraordinaire, was amazingly #Yusuf / #CatStevens. His music about peace and love was beamed into every child born across at least 3 decades & subsequently is a kind of secret trigger to release endorphins. It was quite amazing to hear him sing Father & Son, & Wild World. Morning Has Broken awakened feelings within me I didn't even know I had. So Yusuf for the win.
21/21!
Hopefully you haven't all muted my stream of consciousness nonsense and are still with me. I am genuinely interested and would really love to know - of the many many other artists I didn't watch, is there anyone who I should particularly check out? Any disasters worth witnessing? Anything particularly funny or moving? Any new styles of music invented hitherto unheard? Your best and worst (and most weird/unhinged) please!
Al Gorithm
ArtBear