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Wandering through and under the meagre canopies of the Carling Tent were:
Sean Adams (Sean)
Oliver Appleby (Ollie)
Gareth Dobson (GD)
Andrew Future (AF)
Mathew Hocking (Mat)
Sara Lovejoy (Sara)
Edward Mellett (Ed)
Katherine Price (KP)
Raziq Rauf (RaZ)
Ollie Russian (Russian)
Joanne Sutton (JS)
Georgina Terry (GT)
Peter White (PW)
Genevieve Williams (Gen)
FRIDAY 22nd AUGUST at THE READING FESTIVAL
SATURDAY 23rd AUGUST at THE LEEDS FESTIVAL
COLOUR OF FIRE:
They still look like rock stars and are sounding a lot closer - RaZ
S2's amp decided to play silly buggers in the intro to the first song and didn't give up for the whole set, yet Colour of Fire left the stage to the buzzing sounds of of "Fuck me, they were good! What're they called again?" coming from many a lip. This time next year expect to see them headlining! - KP
So which one of ‘em d’ya wanna shag? S2? He sounds like a PS2 game, he must be good. I know, let’s listen to Muse and Placebo while we fuck on the grass. AF
Absolutely dreadful, sub glitterati indie chancers making a mockery of a 'rock n roll' festival. Singer has the severe case of the Woomble wannabe willies. Haircuts DON't make bands. PW
Lots and lots of new songs. And Owen wasn't wearing his tried and tested stripey top, SHOCKER! They did however, kick off the weekend, rocking the rock. - Sean
A slightly off-colour performance from the usually excellent York boys. Nonetheless they converted a fair few people, and deservedly so - Gen
THE BLUESKINS:
Death to retro rock! - Sean
Rename: The smelly foreskins. AF
BILLY TALENT:
So they have that one really ace song, 'Cry Honesty', which is snarly and bratty and snotty and punky in the most splendid way known to man. And they also have a stack of fillers. Shame. - Gen
FRANZ FERDINAND:
This could be the dictionary definition of 'image over content'. - KP
Whether it was inexperience or simply the level of their ability they appeared nervy and uncoordinated. First and final thought: Style over content. Pah! JS
Y'know, I actually thought they were pretty good, but I've just noticed I've cut my knuckle somehow so I'll get back to you if i can remember why - prehaps the band to post up there with Thursday from last year's Reading as Best Band I Didn't Really Remember Of The Festival Ollie
Sound like Neil Hannon, appear to be wearing tablecloths. V good. GT
RAZORLIGHT:
Individual sound but provided no lasting memory, I tell a lie! The bassist had a red and white Rickenbaker, which made a change from practically everyone else, whose were black and white! JS
Camden’s best circuit band came alive. Top stuff, this. AF
ROCKET SCIENCE:
The words "One Hit Wonder" rings loud, and shrill in the ear, good use of the theramin though, it even brought a tear to one young girl’s eye. JS
BELL X1:
Not a single DiS writer frequented the Carling Stage at the time of Bellend #1's set. Tells a story in itself.
JACKSON:
Now, I'm not the biggest Foos fan ever, so a side project band from their guitarist was never going to be good, but here it just ended up sub-Placebo vs the Foos on a bad day. I mean I suppose he's got to try to get his brother a job somewhere but surely anyone seeing this will see that he'd be better off carrying Dave Ghrols dress collection when he tours than playing this crap. Harsh I know, but come on. Ollie
VUE:
Yay! I missed them without even trying!
Ollie
THE HISS:
I passed out half way through. Not through them being good - RaZ
How many NME journo's does it take to get a band on the bill at a festival? - Sean
The prospect of a shit-kicking, psychedelic Oasis is probably enough to make some Reading festival goers vomit in their falafel, but the Detroit mental-mongers make a very decent fist of fitting said label, AND being good at the same time.GD
MCLUSKY:
A nice raw set from these Welsh loonies! How their bassist can throw himself spasming around the stage and still play note perfect is beyond me! Mat
Watch a bit, but then my little sis gets restive about the lack of tune, so we leave. GT
THE BLACK KEYS:
It doesn’t sound like it’s a re-hash of some ‘70s blues-rock band, it sounds like it was made in the ‘70s. It’s husky vocals, layered across romantic feedback and charismatic drums. It may be retro, but in the best way possible. JS
It'd be lazy to make White Stripes references here. I'm a lazy guy, they're better than the Stripes, less objectionable as well, I can see more people liking this lot than not which is where the other drummer/guitar pair have some trouble. The resemblence to Tom Green was unsettling tho. Ollie
A hairier, scarier, growly voiced bloke from Gomez yelping over the Stripes but with a better drummer. AF
SPARTA:
Sounded good while I was walking past even if he is allegedly a sellout cunt - RaZ
This lot work a lot better in isolation than other ex-ATDI fellas The Mars Volta. Isolation, that is, of being insane. Their stuff while less ecletic is more (duh) normal, easier to understand and not lose track of. You not might call that a good thing, but then you might very well have a collection of CDs that all your friends hate and that really, you do too. Ollie
EVAN DANDO:
Never better. Didn't fuck about with tracks just from the solo record. He played The Lemonheads, man. Was like watching a smack addict convert to Jesus and go out for one last session. Could well be dead this time next year. PW
Heard someone say he was back on the SMACK. They were right. Ed
Did he play Come On Eileen? Oh, that makes a change. AF
Too tired to pass judgement. Sorry. JS
Apart from the 60seconds of lushness that is 'Here in Your Arms' was all a bit emotionless from where I was staggering. Shame, was looking forward to seeing an indie legend. - Sean
Purrr...as the rest of the weekend was rock kid friendly, seeing me fave stoner icon play made me smile like the cat that got the whole dairy herd. Superb choice in opening with Big Gay Heart. Stunning decision not to play Mrs Robinson. I heart Evan Dando. Sara
SATURDAY 23rd AUGUST at THE READING FESTIVAL
SUNDAY 24th AUGUST at THE LEEDS FESTIVAL
THE REAL:
Not a single DiS writer frequented the Carling Stage at the time of THE THE THE BAND's set. Tells a story in itself.
THE AGENDA:
Not a single DiS writer frequented the Carling Stage at the time of The Bollock Sender's set. Tells a story in itself.
THE GO:
Rumour has it, they were replaced by Small Victories (formally Tommy and the Chaffeur) not that we found this out until after they'd been onstage. - Sean
WHIRLWIND HEAT:
Death to Retro Rock! - Sean
The first of today’s ‘Detroit bands’ to take the stage and from the very first chord, the word ‘whirlwind’ has never been more appropriate. Energetic. Enigmatic. And boy do they radiate heat! JS
I was wandering over to the tent to see what was happening when this lot made me turn around and walk off again. I just assumed that some guy was juggling a drum kit. Badly. I mean if they were then top marks... Ollie
THE SUN:
Fantastic fourpiece from Ohio, just signed to Har Mar’s label. Weezer induced rock – but not of the Detroit variety – (i.e. not shite). Watch out for them. AF
THE REVS:
Not a single DiS writer frequented the Carling Stage at the time of Another Fucking The Band's set. Tells a story in itself.
IMA ROBOT:
Crazed electro-disco rock idiocy from LA, and more specifically a leading member of Beck’s super-surreal backing band. The lunacy of the little one has clearly rubbed off on these boys, as they spring from monitor to drumkit like Ritalin deprived goons. Certainly distracting, possibly quite good. GD
Band of the weekend. Bar none. Where were you, people? GT
THE VACATION: (formerly The Sons)
Hard bastard LA party rock that, despite the crowd having no idea who they were (thanks to a last minute band name-change meaning that there was no press or radio play pre-festival), went down very well with a dirty-rock loving crowd. Good AND enjoyable. GD
THE SIGHTS:
Another illustrious ‘Detroit’ band, but with a difference, in the shape of a Hammond organ! The jury is still out whether they can and will stand alone but I for one found it enjoyable watching them try. If only for their too tight trousers! JS
SOLEDAD BROTHERS:
Got stuck behind Meg White’s fat arse (she is or was shagging one of this lot), so I couldn’t see them. AF
THE BUFF MEDWAYS:
Not a single DiS writer frequented the Carling Stage at the time of THE Fluff Bedgay's set. Tells a story in itself.
THE BANDITS:
Not a single DiS writer frequented the Carling Stage at the time of THE Bum Bandit's set. Tells a story in itself.
BRENDAN BENSON:
Twee like daisy's and sunshine, in the lovliest way possible. - KP
that he’s -second-headlining to only a two-thirds-full tent is probably enough to put a dampener on his spirits, but it doesn’t change the fact that the guy clearly has a few rather special songs up his scruffy sleeves. Ultimately edifying stuff for a Benson-first timer like myself. GD
BILLY BRAGG:
Every time I saw his name on the bill I winced. Another band with whom the festival was made better by missing. Ollie
SUNDAY 24th AUGUST at THE READING FESTIVAL
FRIDAY 22nd AUGUST at THE LEEDS FESTIVAL
THE PROSAICS:
Post-punkness that’ll make you cry. Sexy boys playing double sexy music like they’d rather eat their own head than be anywhere else but on stage. Apparently they got an NME indie-shmindie tag on ‘em!? *shrugs* Not bothered, they were my favourites! JS
CARDIA:
Not a single DiS writer frequented the Carling Stage at the time of Rival School's set. Tells a story in itself.
WHITE LIGHT MOTORCADE:
White Shite Motorgay - RaZ
Pixies meets Mansun from NYC. That to me is good. At least they have songs. AF
KEANE:
Coldplay, but shitter in every way - RaZ
Radio friendly unit shifters. File beside Starsailor as a band labels will spend thousands on, just to annoy people like us. - Sean
No. NononoNO.You're both WRONG. Gorgeous, teardrop songs. The kind of outfit that make you HURT, because you know the next chord will break your heart yet you're still gonna stand there and listen to it, and damn well enjoy its Spector-y goodness. And there's no acoustic guitar bollocks. Good luck to 'em. - Gen
You seriously reckon they’re worth all that cash that major labels have just shelled out? It’s indie tripe not ROY KEANE hardcore. AF
As if I'm wrong. Bye bye Keano. Raz
Yeah, I see where the Coldplay references come from - pretty boring even tho I know Raz left because they were too hardcore for him Ollie
THE STILLS:
Confused this lot with The Sights and was a bit of a let down to be honest. Still, NME rate them. Mat
Think Interpol if they were from Canada, and actually liked Blondie a whole lot more than they did The Smiths. It’s certainly impressive, but like watching a hulking great SUV drive down a country lane, you do start to question the entire reason for its existence. GD
WINNEBAGO DEAL:
Not as loud as it should've been. I apologise - RaZ
Sounded good but I wasn't too keen on the back of the guy in front of me's head. Shame. - KP
According to the guy stood behind me, "they have got to be the best band in Britain right now!" Not as ear-piercingly loud as they deserve, but it was mighty fine dirty rock 'n' roll goodness nonetheless. I also have to point out vocalist Ben's comments after 2 songs: (in his usual onstage drawl) "Two days ago... we had an argument with Good Charlotte. They said, 'don't fuck with the big boys!'. Well they can fuck with my crap! This one goes out to them." The man's a legend - Mat
What is the fuss all about? Ruddy done-a-billion-times-before racket. - Sean
DAGAGAGAGAGAGAAGAGAG RAAAAHHHH URRRGGHHHHHH KERANGGGGGGGGGGGGGG. Packed tent. Big noise. Joy. GD
Duh-nuh. DUH-nuh. Duh-nuh-nuh-nuh-DUH-nuh-nuh-nuh. Lather, rinse, repeat as required. They're getting away with murder. HOW are they getting away with this?! But don't tell me it ain't fun looking on and watching. Gen
Well god damn, it was pretty loud where I was standing - guitar shapes were thrown and brutal riffs blasted out, crown shoutalong of "HUNT HIM DOWN" and a notion of things to come Good Charlotte wise, Hardcore. Ollie
Shite. Utter fucking arse. Tuneless noisey wank. No wonder they don’t have a full band. “This song goes like this.” “Hang on, haven’t we done that one already?” “Ummmm…” AF
A blunter, harder, faster, drunker, sweatier, greasier, brick-like take on Metallica. More balls less tunes. Ed
INSTRUCTION:
Rocked like a mother. Their songs may not have the strength to make it to the main stage but then, that's why I love them - Mat
CALLA:
Not a single DiS writer frequented the Carling Stage at the time of Ballfuck's set. Tells a story in itself.
LONGVIEW:
Was very intrigued about these Mancs after reading some amazing reviews. As soon as their frontman opened his mouth it was imediately obvious why and thanks to some wonderfully warm and exhilarating backing harmonies you were rooted to the spot. But then after 6 songs I found myself drifting to sleep. Ho hum... - Mat
HAR MAR SUPERSTAR:
Should've stayed here instead of wandering off to System - RaZ
Same. I think the blood / alcohol level was getting dangerously even, so back to the tent it was.Mat
Jack Osbourne is a cunt. PW
He loves himself. You love him. Everyone loves him. Why? Because he's Prince, broadcasting loud and clear from inside the stomach of a fat sweaty dude in boxer shorts. If you missed this you deserve all you get, for you are SILLY. - Gen
Yeah he's a tubby little sleaze man, but the laydeez love him with groups of topshop sk8 punx leaving the tent afterwards drooling over him being no exception. Jack Osborne looking more like an afro wig wearing Churchill advert dog than ever drew more Sun photography for sitting on stage than Bobby G did, but hey, I suppose he didn't pay to be there. Har Mar rocked the party, stripped and sweated for us we loved it. Best Party Man Of The Festival. Ollie
Har Mar Superstar is a spectacle. I couldn’t see a bastard thing. GT
Slapping his sweaty arse cheeks together as usual, the man makes a threesome with Kelly and Jack Osbourne sexy. Novelty pop has better counterparts. AF
When I got there the gig was complete. Still, I got to catch a glance of the models dancing in bikinis. I thought it was an excellent gig. Ed
HOPE OF THE STATES:
Quite possibly the most collectively drunken band of the first day of Leeds 2003. 10 Brownie points. - KP
Odd one to bill straight after the Har Mar, HOTS did their red light bathed thing to great effect. I mean this is what all those bands who try to do it think they sound like, the Hopes actually do sound like it, they get it right, they draw pictures and love the audience. Best Band To Wear Uniforms Of The Festival. Ollie
Singer could do with losing some weight and getting a voice, but apart from that they look set to be about as big as every other schmindie politicised Radiohead wannabe. AF
I caught Jimmy’s hat, in my pint of Carling, so quite rightfully I watched the entire set sporting it aloft my head. A fantastic set, received with rapturous applause. I fear their post-rock-esque hauntings will remain anonymous no more. JS
MANITOBA:
Not a single DiS writer frequented the Carling Stage at the time of Manity's set. Tells a story in itself.
BRITISH SEA POWER:
Ok so I admit I did miss the begining of their set, yes I was watching Metallica, but I had to see a little bit of RAWK didn't I? By the time I get to the front off the Carling stage I know I should have been here earlier, as usually BSP have gone to town decorating their stage set with foliage (Has anyone ever seen them collecting this before a show or do they just carry it round in thier bus?), assorted stuffed animals and also getting dressed to the nines in WWII helmets, camoflage gear, hiking boots and as we found out later blue Y-Fronts. There is something magical about tonight, the stomping of Carrion, its marching beats making me want to hike across a moonlit lake district, its fierce guitars making me want to run around and smash things. There is a strange contradiction in BSP's music, how can a group of hiking buddies from the northern hills come up with such amazing music?! As the last song starts the camping stove boils over, sticks are thrown into the crowd, Eamon takes his drum (filled with Kendel Mint Cake no-less) and beat into into the crowd and into the night, singer Yan also makes headlong into the crowd to leave a lone drummer and bass player thumping out the soundtrack to end a weekend of camp fires, tents and over-hyped garage rock... Its a beautiful moment, and as lighting rigs are climbed, Yan returns to the stage clad only in hiking boots and blue Y-Fronts to salute the crowd whilst his brother climbs on his back still managing somehow to ring out the last notes of the night. Then its all over and as the distant fireworks of Metallica's encore sound, I'm happy to spend another night in my tent under the stars sucking on my Kendal Mint Cake, dreaming of lonely fields and WWII bombers... Russian
(Photo by Ollie)
