Rob’s armchair Glasto ‘23 highlights
Glastonbury. A reason to live on this beleaguered land mass (for the most part, floundering in a political mire of its own making - so reasons are few!).
I did the armchair version this year. Both the cat and my bank balance are thanking me for it.
A veteran since the 90s here (if you don’t remember the Jo Banana’s blanket stand you weren’t there).
If you read the history books, acid house arguably wouldn't have exploded into rave so quickly, in such high numbers, if it weren't for Glasto 1990.
It's still the world's best...Yet every year on cue, the dinosaurs come out postulating:
"Glasto is shit / xxx is better / I was in a basement with early Colleen Nolan in '78 before she was cool"
etc etc.
It's so easy to take on the naysayers. Show me the coolest place you've ever been and I'll show you the NYC Downlow at 3am [/end].
My only moan (and it's a small one) is the creep of a Glasto social hierarchy & segregation. Exclusive parties within parties that unwittingly spark a "too cool for school" animal farm mentality.
"Maceos is the best place on site" blah blah... bollocks! No egalitarian door policy / no social progress. Open borders etc etc. ;))
...
Anyway - here are my faves from the cheap seats...
WORKING MEN'S CLUB - Their debut album was so good. I can't help thinking it would've gone stratospheric had it been released in 95. Intense, monosyllabic and carrying the Indy acid torch as only a Manc band can.
SHAME - Charlie Steen ripped off his trousers to crowd surf in a pair of gold hot pants, before smashing up an audience member's guitar --That's the spirit!
LIL NAS X - Not my gig normally - I've never really heard his album - but what a show! Those dancers tho! To the tragically heteronormal group of ladz that called me a faggot at last year's Glasto: I'm rubbing your faces in Nas's crotch like a naughty jack russell that has pissed on the carpet. :-b
ELTON - The world stood still. 'Tiny Dancer' was a moment and 'I'm still standing' was seismic. A real 'were you there?' moment - and no. No I was not.
CHRISTINE & THE QUEENS - spellbinding, intense, beautiful set complete with archangel invocations. Sensual and intimate, yet with a strange distance and a-sexuality you’d expect from him. Hard to top the last outing imo but this new direction easily matched it.
LEFTFIELD - The only act bringing the spirit of rave to our living rooms this year (not a vintage Glasto lineup in 2023). Can't believe they had Earl up there doing Release the Pressure! :0
FEVER RAY - Hauntingly brilliant. Def tracking Karin Dreijer down in Vicky Park this August. Am also obsessed with her HOT Iranian backing singer, Maryam Nikandish.
BILLY NOMATES - My weekend fave. Mesmerising. Definitely Alt-rock's answer to Roisin Murphy. Loved her look/moves (but someone send her some blister pads!). Sadly she got a ton of online abuse over the weekend and has since asked iPlayer to remove her set. Get in quick while you can!