As the rain subsides once more on Sunday but the clouds
overhead remain ominous, our first stop is to the main stage as we feel that
we’ve neglected it this weekend. As we arrive to a flock of animated seagulls
taking over the screens, Dingus Khan are treating those brave enough to go out
so early on a Sunday to a feast of a set. There’s subliminal messages,
synchronised dancing and a mighty lead vocal performance all in one short set.
From here we make our last visit to BBC Introducing for
Saint Raymond. He’s massively inoffensive but aside from a few whimsical songs
its hard to see mass-appeal within the music and the same can be said for the
wonderfully named yet tragically boring Pineapple Thief inside the third stage
(although if Radiohead’s The Bends is your favourite record, you’ll thoroughly
enjoy them).
From here it’s back to back joy though as MaybeSheWill pull
off possibly the strongest instrumental set we see all weekend (sorry 65Days,
MaybeSheWill edged you on intimacy and crowd-likeability) before Wet Nuns bring
a huge crowd in from the rain into their dark and powerful breed of
rock’n’roll. This Autumn may finally be
the Nuns’ time to shine.
Inversely in power but not so much in enjoyment, up and
coming starlet Lewis Watson treats a rather busy second stage to half an hour
of music taken from each of his four EPs. His latest single Calling is a
standout for the festival and possibly our summer as his enthusiastic fans sing
every word back at him.
Then comes something we were not expecting. If you’re aware
of The Computers you’ll know that not only have they produced two rather
contrasting yet wonderful records and toured with both The Subways and Pulled
Apart By Horses, but also they’ve mastered the art of performing live; mostly
from sweaty shows by the South Coast and Kingston. Their time at Y Not however,
proves to be the set of the weekend with only one act left to see. Their blend
of sharp suits and raucous behaviour turns out to be the perfect formula and
there’s not a muddy, tired face that leaves the Giant Squid Tent happier and
sweatier for it.
Which leads to the biggest surprise of the festival. Once
chart and Reading and Leeds toppers The Darkness, actually still have it! Yes,
the glam-rock dream has faded and yes,
the budget’s slipped and yes, it does get annoying not knowing over half
the songs of a headline performance, but with showmanship like Justin Hawkins
and his band create, who even cares? Chants to their simple logo, crowd surfing
and mass sing-alongs bring Y Not to a strange and wonderful ending before we
try and fail to watch Jurassic Park in the cinema tent.
Braden Fletcher
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