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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.
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’.
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!
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
