Glastonbury 2011 Review - Part 2

In our second part review of the ‘Greatest Party’ on earth, James Shingler looks back at his highlights.

 

The Joy Formidable

 

TJF were the band that I was most looking forward to seeing this year and they certainly didn’t disappoint. Despite some technical gremlins that delayed the start by half an hour and meant that the band had to cut their setlist short the band blasted through a breath taking set. Beginning with the forth coming single ‘A Heavy Abacus’, before giving the John Peel crowd selective highlights from their magnificent debut album ‘The Big Roar’, The Joy Formidable showed why they are one of the most thunderous live acts around.  The set culminated in a chaotic version of ‘Whirring’ which saw front women Ritzy Bryan flinging her guitar into a massive gong! Forget about headliners on the pyramid stage, this was what Glasto should always be about - energy and passion.

 

Anna Calvi

 

I must admit prior to her performance on the John Peel Stage I knew very little about Miss Calvi, only that she had a reputation as a fantastic live act and that she was someone that I would probably like. However, I wasn’t expecting to be blown away just as much I was by her seductive performance. Calvi and her backing band produced a set that will live long in the collective memory of those who witnessed it. Highlights included the brilliant ‘Blackout’ and a cover Edith Piaf’s ‘Jezebel’.

 

Eels

 

The hairiest band on planet wowed the Other Stage early on Sunday evening with their blend of lush pop and heavy rock. E and the rest of the band were on great form as rip roar through a greatest hits sets that included a frantic version of ‘I Like Birds’, the perfect Sunday anthem 'Novocaine For The Soul'  and a Beyoncé Trumpet cover!  

 

 

     

 

Glastonbury 2011 Preview

Next week Twitter Tunez will be hitting the road as we are off to Glastonbury 2011. We will be attempting to tweet live from Glasto to give an insight into the highs and lows of the greatest festival on Earth. To get everyone in the mood here are our ones to watch, either in the flesh or on the telly.

James Shingler – Top Five

The Joy Formidable

North Wales’ finest hit the John Peel Stage on Sunday afternoon and will no doubt blow any hangover out of your system. Gonna be loud, VERY LOUD!

John Peel Stage – Sunday, 14:00

Morrissey 

The Moz Father is on the Pyramid Stage on Friday before some other band that we refuse to mention. Expect classic songs and the odd rant from the most outspoken man in pop.

Pyramid Stage – Friday, 20:00

  

Warpaint

The art rockers from Los Angeles are playing two sets – Friday on the Park Stage and Saturday on the John Peel.

Park Stage – Friday, 16:45

John Peel – Saturday, 16:50

Glasvagas

Love ‘em or loath ‘em James Allen and Co know how to put on a show. Catch ‘em headlining the John Peel Stage on Saturday.

John Peel – Saturday, 22:30

Primal Scream 

Bobby Gillespie is one cool motherfucker! Nuff said! – Primal Scream headline the Other Stage on Friday.

Other Stage – Friday, 22:30

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Matthew Evans - Top 5

The King Blues 

The King Blues are one of the best UK ska-punk bands, driven by strong political views they never fail to deliver a show filled with passion and energy. This is true however big or small the venue so expect nothing different on the biggest stage of them all.

Oxlyers in West  - Friday, 16:00

Fatboy Slim 

One of the finest DJ’s to ever grace the planet, Norman Cook is one person who definitely knows how to get a crowd going. This will be a perfect way to round off the East Dance stage on the Friday night.

East Dance – Friday, 23:15

Pendulum 

From one of the world’s top DJ’s to one of the world’s best live bands. These boys have the ability to generate an insane atmosphere reflecting in phenomenal vibes. As far as live shows go, you won’t find anything like it.

Pyramid – Sunday, 19:45

Crystal Castles 

The electronic duo are what you would call “different”. When live, lead singer Alice sounds somewhat like a strangled cat, yet there is something quite brilliant and unique about it. The hardest decision of the weekend will be whether to see these or Fat Boy Slim.

The Park – Friday, 23:15

dan le sac Vs Scroobius Pip 

These guys complement each other superbly essentially as a hip-hop duo. Scroobius provides insightful lyrics both sung and spoken, while dan le sac provides the electronic beats. Make sure you check ‘em out for they are wonderfully entertaining.

Oxlyers in West – Sunday, 16:00

[TuneOTD] The Joy Formidable - WHIRRING

Artist: The Joy Formidable

Genre: Rock/Indie/Alternative

Location: London, England, UK

Label Type: Major

Record Label: Atlantic Records

Website: http://www.thejoyformidable.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/joyformidable

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thejoyformidable

Whirring is the second single from The Big Roar, the debut album from North Wales’ finest, The Joy Formidable. Originally released as a one off single back in 2009, this new version comes complete with extended, accelerated and ultimately brilliant coda. In a time when most indie bands are made up of gap year students (usually with band members called Rupert or Henry or some other upper class twatish name) The Joy Formidable are a breath of fresh air in an increasingly stagnant scene. The all out assault of the music collides perfectly with the enchanting vocals of front women Ritzy Bryan. Whirring manages to be fabulously catchy and hard hit at the same time. Whirring follows the quiet/LOUD formula of The Pixies, while at the same time infusing the sonic audacity of My Bloody Valentine. The Joy Formidable have lived up to the promise of early singles such as Cradle and Austere, and have produced by far their finest single release to date.  The Joy Formidable are also a ferocious live band and can be seen supporting Manic Street Preachers on their arena tour in May.

Tue 10 - London Koko

Thur 12 - The Great Escape Festival

Fri 13 - Hamburg Markthale with Manic Street Preachers

Mon 16 - Dublin Olympia with Manic Street Preachers

Wed 18 - Llandudno Cymru Arena with Manic Street Preachers

Thurs 19 - Wolverhampton Civic Hall with Manic Street Preachers

Sat 21 - Cardiff CIA with Manic Street Preachers

The album The Big Roar is out now

Whirring is released on the 4^th of April

James Shingler