Set off about 11 30 on Thursday. The original plan was to meet SET and Keith and Fiona at Amesbury services about 1ish and then travel to EOTR together but they were running late so we went on ahead to claim pitches for us all. The flat bits in the family area were all taken so we ended up on a bit of a hill but it was OK. We also had a gazebo between our 3 tents. We noticed lots of these.
The first band I saw were Gustaf in The Folly. There was a massive queue but it moved quite quickly so we soon got in. They are a 5 piece, 4 women doing vocals, bass, keyboard and drums and a chap on guitar. Some harmonies and deep voice simulation for the keyboard player. A bit Television like. I assumed they were brits but actually from New York. Very lively and put on a good show. A great start.
We then went to see Bonnie Prince Billy on the main stage. He was good, some nice songs and a good sound with just him and someone else playing various instruments and harmonising. It got a bit samey though so we didn't stay to the end.
I thought about going to see Newdad back in The Folly but there was another massive queue and this time it wasn't moving so just went back to base for a night cap.
Edith also got her trolley.
Cards and presents were handed out then we set off to see Kassi Valazza on the Garden stage. She was accompanied by a guy on guitar and harmonies and one on keyboard. Very nice gentle country folk stuff. Nice guitar touches and even better when he switched to lap steel.
Next up were King Hannah in The Big Top. Thought they were great. My definition would be like Portishead but with heavy guitar over the top. There were some sound issues so they were about 20mins late coming on which is very unusual for EOTR. They were a 4 piece with female vocalist/guitarist and 3 chaps on lead guitar, bass and drums. She sounded like she was from Yorkshire but the blurb I've read says they're based in Liverpool and are just a duo.
Then met up for Ringo Music Bingo in the Cider Bus Tent. We had fizz before hand to celebrate M's birthday. Kevin and Adrienne also put in an appearance. Mr Music Bingo also found out so everyone said happy birthday.
Next up was Hotwax in The Big Top. Female trio, bass drums and guitar. A bit punky and very good. A good start so far.
I bumped into Steve and Aneurin on the way out.
At some point M had a paella and I had shredded beef curry thing with rice.
The next band I saw were House Of All. I was surprised that they were all a bit on the older side. It turns out they're mostly ex members of The Fall. Really enjoyed them. A bit punky and edgy.
Next up were IDLES on the main stage. I don't really know their stuff but sort of new what to expect and wasn't disappointed. I didn't stay to the end because I also wanted to see Lankum on the Garden stage. I started at the back but couldn't really hear some of the quieter stuff so manged to sneak round the side get quite near the front. Much better but later the sound of the drum was a bit overpowering. Glad I saw them though.
Finally went to see Baxter Dury in The Big Top. Apart from him there's only 3 in the band. A drummer, guitarist and a woman who does all the backing vocals and makes the rest of the noise. It took him a few songs to get warmed up but then they were great.
Went back for a night cap.
EOTR SATURDAY
We set off to watch the mystery guest on the garden stage on Saturday morning. Edith enjoyed the
trolley ride. It turned out to be Julia Jacklin who sang some fine songs accompanying herself on electric guitar played with a pick for the first time.
We left a bit early so I could get to the front for Brown Horse. My first pedal steel guitar of the festival.
Also had a banjo, accordion and lap steel with players swapping instruments quite a lot. You'd think they were American but they're from Norwich. Only problem was there was a lot going on and it was hard to hear individual instruments. I moved further back and the sound was a bit better.
A bit later on I went to see Elsy Wameyo in The Boat. Very slick modern RnB/Soul with some nice guitar but not really my cup of tea.
Popped into The Folly for Freakslug. Sort of indie with very trebly guitars. Weren't that great so went to The Garden to see Sanam. Great Lebanese fusion band with 2 women doing the traditional stuff, one singing and one playing some sort of stringed instrument and 3 guys on bass, drums and electric guitar/keyboard. Great stuff, including playing an SG with a violin bow.
I had arranged to meet up with M to see Lisa O'Neill also in the Garden stage. We were lying at the back so couldn't really see. I had noticed there were 2 women on stage instead of one but assumed it was just an accompanist. The songs didn't really sound like Irish folk but she is a bit quirky so assumed she'd gone off in a new direction. It did eventually dawn on me that it wasn't Lisa O'Neill and we later found out it was Mermaid Chunky. A band I have never heard of and wouldn't have gone to see but who were very entertaining. They had dancers on at the end that we only noticed by chance because I thought I'd stand for the last number. What else did we miss? Then did a bit of wandering before Camera Obscura on the Garden stage. They're a Scottish indie band who've been around for a while but we left after a bit and explored the woods. As it was festival shirt day a commemorative photo was taken.
This lead us to The Boat and Still House Plants.
They're a 3 piece, guitar, drums and female singer who play discordant jazzy/indie stuff in weird time signatures (I think). They could all almost be playing different songs but some how it hangs together.
Had fish and chips.
Then headed over to the main stage for Slowdive. A band from Reading that I don't really know but who were excellent. Shoegaze stuff with a great lightshow.
Then finally to The Folly for Big Special. I asked if there were only 2 of them to which Tom replied 'Yes, ones big and the other one's special'. Just a singer and a drummer (who also sang) with backing tracks. When I say sing I really mean talk or shout mostly. Great stuff but I left a bit early as M was baby sitting and said she wouldn't mind some company. She was knackered so went to bed and I took over the babysitting duties. Tom and Sally got back about 1am. They'd tried to get into the silent disco but it was cash only.
EOTR SUNDAY
Our plan on Sunday was to queue up for the start of the comedy so we would be in for Stewart Lee. Unfortunately we were not the only ones with that idea and the queue was so long we abandoned the plan and went to see Molly Lewis on The Garden stage. She is an American whistler who whistles to her own backing tracks of different styles of music. She did a duet of the BA advert tune with a supposed audience member and finished with The Swan by Saint-Saëns. Very entertaining.
We stayed in for Bonny Doon who played nice indie, country stuff with some good guitar interplay.
As we left it started to rain so we sheltered in the gin tent for a while then had an early pizza lunch.
After that I went to see Maple Glider. She is labelled as a singer songwriter but had a chap accompanying her on electric guitar and harmonies and female backing singer. Some good songs and great three part harmonies.
Then went to see
Slift in the Big Top. A French heavy metal trio. Great stuff and possibly the loudest band I've ever heard. It was like a physical assault and I felt exhausted afterwards. The mosh pit got a bit too close and at one point they were sitting down and rowing? The only down side was the last song that had a few too many false endings. Some great guitar.
Popped into The Boat to see the Tara Clerkin Trio. Sort of lo fi jazz. Very nice but a bit too lo fi so only stayed for a few numbers. The problem with The Boat is that although it slopes down to the stage, as there is no actual stage and the slope is very gentle, when everyone stands up unless you're very near the front you can only see the tops of the performer's heads so you've no idea what they are playing/ doing.
We had a turn on the nearby Ferris wheel afterwards.
At M's suggestion we then popped into the Talking Heads stage to see Dawn Landes. An inspired decision. She was doing a set of songs about woman's liberation accompanied by a chap on keyboard and woman on violin both doing backing vocals. Great Americana stuff and very atmospheric.
Then saw English Teacher in The Big Top. They are almost prog rock. One song in particular reminded⁸ me of Yes with very similar harmonies and bass riff. Will have to see if I can find that song (its called Mastermind Specialism). Very enjoyable set and great front woman dressed as a nurse.
Finished off with Yo La Tengo on the main stage It means I've got it in Spanish. They were a lot heavier then I expected but did some quieter stuff. We didn't go very far in as they were also very loud. Some nice guitar, really enjoyed. Only down side was one very long repetitive song the eventually drove Keith away. Saw Steve and Aneurin then popped round to Kevin and Adrienne's a back for a night cap.
It rained most of the day so mainly worked on by new animation in the afternoon. Went swimming on Tuesday morning then finished off the animation, The Whisper. M got her first state pension payment. Popped over to no 81 on Wednesday afternoon to help James move their sofa bed upstairs. Turned out he'd already done it. Popped over to the Royal Oak for a swifty. Its Green King but the 2 bitters they had on weren't and they were both quite tasty. Got soaked on the way home. In evening I went to the folk session at the Castle Tap. It's run by Danny and Alison McNamara and they mentioned it at tribute night. Its completely unplugged, everyone just plays where they are sitting more or less. I did John Law, Walking Blues and Someday Baby. My first ever planned solo public performance from what I can remember. A mixture of stuff all very good. I also did a 12 bar jam with a young Greek guy called Manos. He sang and played guitar and I played slide. He'd also been playing the fiddle. Gil Thompson was there who I hadn't seen for ages. On Thursday M's bus pass arrived. Rained all day. Restrung my banjo. Took an hour and a half. Went over to no 81 on Friday to baby sit. James and Amy went out for a meal with Josh and Vicky. Went to see URZ beat Huddersfield 2 1 on Saturday with Ralph. It was a lunchtime KO and they came back from 1 0 down. As the latest attempt to sell the club had fallen through the red cards were out again after 18 minutes. Not many there.
Popped out RSAC late on Sunday morning to help pack away for the Sunday Alternative as Paul had to open the OXFAM shop at 12.
Went to Larry's birthday picnic on Saturday down by Rivermead. This involved an old style jumpers for goalposts football match. Unfortunately I strained my groin doing an ambitious shot on the turn. We were woken up about 2am on Sunday morning by an incredibly loud thunderstorm. Here's a map showing strikes.
Wandered to The Forbury on Sunday afternoon as there was supposed to be a picnic going on for those involved in creating the various murals arohbd Reading. We couldn't find it though.
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