Leeds Festival, Bramham Park, Day One
This year’s Leeds Festival doesn’t start with a bang, but rather a moan, specifically from a member of Slipknot as they limp out (literally) of today’s line-up. Luckily we’re not particularly relying on the group to provide much more than comic relief so we briskly move onto the first act of the weekend- Yeasayer. With a wash of beards and messy hair the group should sit just right with the festival crowd- however at this stage in the day they’re a little too heavy for their audience. With a carpet of high wailing vocals and offbeat myths, the group miss their target audience by a haircut and a pair of skinny jeans.
But don’t worry, Jeffrey Lewis is here to cheer us up. Usually the underdog of any gig line-up he today finds himself the only music act on the comedy stage. Luckily his lyrics bring more laughs than any comedian. Accompanied by his band The Jitters, Lewis fails to use the group to his advantage, instead resorting to a series of acoustic tracks. A quick dash to the NME/Radio One stage however sees a rather drunk Adam Green stumble around the stage, as his backing band attempt to push the singer through his set.
Johnny Foreigner are a group that constantly breach on annoying. With a moaning singer and a screeching bassist everything rides against the group- but it doesn’t stop you leaving the tent humming their songs all day. Something you won’t forget if you happened to pass the dance tent at 3pm is the name Lethal Bizzle. Only this rapper could get away with packing out the dance tent at the Leeds Festival and get the crowd to chant his name over 100 times a minute. Arriving at the NME/Radio One stage five minutes after Pendulum have started is clearly a mistake. Keenly watching from outside, the tent is packed as scores of fans cheer, dance and applaud the large screens. The band themselves are a powerful force with an aggressive manner and a hard drum’n’bass attitude.
The next act couldn’t be further from the antics of the set before. As the tent fills out a few hardcore Conor Oberst fans push their way to the front of the crowd. Where before Bright Eyes’ live efforts have left this reviewer disappointed, Oberst finally appears to be enjoying himself on-stage. Decked out in matching black jackets the group have a playful quality not normally seen in Bright Eyes projects. As Oberst treats the audience to the highlights from his self titled album he finally gives the performance the enthusiasm it deserves.
While Tenacious D serve an over the top theatrical performance on the main stage it is The Last of the Shadow Puppets who keep their dignity, with the pair decked out in suits and an orchestra to give the sweeping accompaniment justice. Finally as the curtain draws on the first day we’re left drained but happy as we watch the fire rein over the main stage in awe of the mighty Metallica.
God Bless The Music Press 