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So I missed out on tickets for this year’s Glastonbury festival, but due to the BBC’s excellent coverage and a weekend off work I managed to sit in the garden and watch a large amount of sets. I thought I’d provide a handy highlight package for anyone looking to catch up, as the entire sets of a large number of performers are available through the BBC’s website.
The sensational Arctic Monkeys returned to the Pyramid Stage six years after their first appearance; with a barrage of hits and slick new haircuts, the Sheffield lads put on an electric show which helped solidify their reputation as true Brit legends . At the beginning of their career, Californian sister trio Haim played four shows across the weekend. Their afternoon slot on the Park show was perhaps their best, an energetic and infectious live act supported by those power pop hits such as ‘Forever’ and ‘Falling’.
Birmingham based soul singer Laura Mvula conducted a beautiful, summery set on the Pyramid stage with album highlight ‘Green Garden’ going down a treat. The award for most overwhelmed and gracious act goes to indie trio Daughter, their show was haunting, tragic and ground breaking all at once. Elena and Co were visibly moved by the audience’s reaction and I predict them to be propelled up next year’s line up. One of the highlights of the entire weekend was the abrasive Deap Vally performing early Sunday afternoon and telling Glasto to ‘wake the fuck up’. One of my favourite new bands of 2013.
Heavy hitters Foals put on arguably the show of the weekend, a stadium sized collection of hits which sent the audience into a frenzy. Tracks from the latest LP went down phenomenally proving this band have real staying power, main stage next year? Icelandic folk rockers Of Monsters and Men made a triumphant debut to the festival. The crowd carried their set along with a barrage of clapping and ‘HEYS’ in unison. The possible anthem of 2013 is ‘Little Talks’, and this rendition is just flawless.
On Saturday and Sunday I chose two alternative headliners, first was the sensational doom rockers Hurts. They put on an incredible, dramatic show on the John Peel Stage with tracks from new album Exile taking centre stage. The dark qualities are emphasised further when performed live. The xx performed a career defining show on The Other Stage, the combination of darkness, the moody nature of ‘Coexist’ and the audience’s total adoration made this show one of the most incredible and moving moments of Glastonbury 2013.
The best festival on earth retained its title for another year, veteran rock stars, British success stories, gurning bassists and greek stage divers. It wouldn’t be Glastonbury if it wasn’t totally obscure would it?
