Festival season is again upon us and it seems that there are more this year than ever, with promoters clamouring for space anywhere in the
country to put a few past-it bands on and rinse die hard supporters of yet more or their hard earned. Festivals have largely been gentrified
over the last few years. Where once you had to travel for days by foot over muddy ground before getting anywhere near the heart throb of proceedings, now more often than not you'll find a `shorter, more compact and even more exciting' festival on a roundabout with cars whizzing by all around you. No need for drugs, just a few deep breaths and the car fumes will more than do their job. There is also a certain commercial cynicism attached to the festival these days as big sponsors haggle for top billing and branding as far as the eye can see (or as far as the roundabout extends). The more sponsors apply, the
more promoters want to put on a festival with a few past-it bands and quality goes out of the window.
It does seem that where once we had 6 major festivals, beacons of British culture, ;We are now beset by 60 mini pestivals awash with conglomerate vultures
So , it was hugely refreshing to get my Isle of Wight wings for the first time this year. You hear much (self)hype about promoters with integrity but, perhaps in John Giddens, there is a guy who can truly be put in the Micheal Eavis mould. Mr.Eavis, of Glastonbury fame, should write a book entitled `doing a festival the right way' or some such title with slightly more allure, in which the importance of long term growth over the instant buck is championed.
Anyway, John Giddens, puts this Isle of Wight festival on each year and you get a strong sense that he is motivated by more than just cash. Everything about the festival is just so much more relaxed than at most other events throughout the calendar. If you have read this column before you will have probably noticed that I have more than a passing dislike of `security' staff. At the risk of being barred from every bar and club in England and Wales (not so fussed about the latter), I find most of them to be trouble makers rather than peace keepers. They are so self important and twitching for a fight that, like tyrannical rulers of yesteryear, even direct eye contact is seen as treacherous, inflamatory and worthy of death (or at least extreme discomfort) by knuckle.
That's the first great thing about this festi - the security guards are RAD. Instead of having your girlfriend bruised by a security guard who cant see the pass on her tiny wrist, these guys are driven by, well nothing apparently, except having a good time. What a difference that makes - and thanks again for the king skins Big Terry and Rozza - you are putting the real security guys back on the map!
This relaxed attitude surely trickles from the top down. Having helped to look after the artists for Mr.Giddens this year I got some inside knowledge of his thinking and general approach to the festival. For example, rumour has it, he wanted to do away with the ridiculously tiered wristband system this year and just have two types in total, one saying `arena access' and the other saying `everywhere' (am I just a festival anorak or is that really funny?)
This feeling of freedom and minimal narkyness also seems to make the bands very chilled. The line up included a brilliant Maximo Park , an interestingly diverse Primal Scream and the unbelievable Foo Fighters. The great thing for me about the Foos is that you don't even really have to like their music to be in total awe. I got their double album earlier in the year and thought there were some really nice moments but when you see front man Dave Groll live he just emanates excitement and musical energy. He even got on the drums for one song - what a guy.
Sunday again delivered some nice acts, with Lou Reed (who has become legendary not only for his music but also his dressing room rider requirements), showing the value of massive experience. Coldplay finished off, which made everyone really tired and ready for bed.
One stage, not too much branding, really nice food stalls, nice people, a riotous pub for all the bands on site, good music and baking early summer weather. Oh and I went on the 'sickly fast turning wheel ride' with a girl called Kate who I want to marry - and if Mr.Eavis is capable of making money from imparting his knowledge about running a festival maybe Monsignor Giddens could also write a best seller called
`How To Get Happy in Just Two Days (providing you are free 9 and 10 June).'
