05.25
As the press release states “Mock Rock Returns”, and this just about sums up Glastonbudget. The festival is based around its main bill of tribute bands, who occupy the main stage whilst the original acts play on smaller stages dotted around the site.
By mid-day the main site is starting to fill with people and it is the original band stage that actually starts first but has it’s thunder somewhat stolen by a surprise substitution on the main stage. Instead of the billed “Blurb” (tribute to Blur) there is instead Heresy, Midlands based metal band fronted by the charismatic Rob Harris. The songs are of a heavy metal style, and in another setting might have been misplaced but on the large stage they were enough hooks to get the crowd going. [7]
One of the other stages is the “Charny Arny” Stage, run by Charnwood arts. This plays host to a set from “The Rugged Sound System” a 7 member funk backed rap band, although it seems a shame to define them as they are completely unique. Despite the heated atmosphere in the tent the crowd reacts well, dancing to the music throughout. Even when there are technical problems the band amaze even more with a beat box rendition of “Aint no Sunshine”. [9]
Next up on the main stage is “The Kinx” a tribute to the Kinks, who (no offence intended) certainly have the right look down. Not that half the crowd actually know anything about the original band but for the parents (of whom there are many) it’s a welcome event. Despite some slightly creepy references (for example “This is from our first album”) everything goes without a hitch.[7]
Once again as soon as an original band starts up (Midas Fall on the original band stage) the crowds are pulled back to the main stage by “Four Fighters” (a tribute to the Foo Fighters). This is the one problem with the festival’s layout, some stages, particularly the Oxjam stage were poorly attended. You could say this is because of the quality of the bands but it is more likely the makeup of the audience, a lot were families and adults in general, more interested in a good time than seeing new music.
One band that does manage to hold a crowd at the Oxjam stage is Leicester band “Great Imitation”. If you like Flight of the Concords you will like this band and at first glance that’s what they seem to be. Yet under that first impression is a much more rich set of material, touching on real life issues on a serious yet still humorous way. This is helped in no small part by their front man who spends the set running round the floor in front of the stage, the crowd lap this up, enjoying the chance to see a front man who isn’t afraid to get in people’s faces. [9]
Over on the main stage is “Razorlike” a tribute to Razorlite, and just along from the Oxjam stage on the original band stage is “Skam#. Fronted by Steve Hill, a teacher by day (not that you’d know it from their performance). They play heavy metal, with blues influences, heavily referencing bands such as Iron Maiden along the way. Not held back by their meager 3 person line up, they make great use of thick bass lines to create a very thick pounding sound.
Highlights of the set include “The Bass Viking” (Mathew Gilmore) standing atop the crowd barriers rocking out and Steve clambering into the crowd to rip out a solo before running back on stage. The set finishes with a song called “Lesbian” which involves the crowd singing “She’s a lesbian”, something which a partially drunk festival crowd have no problem doing. [8]
Leading up to the final act of the day, there is “Razmataz” on the original band stage and “US4U2” on the main stage (a tribute to U2, oddly there are 5 members to this band).
The last act on the main stage are “Metallitia” a tribute to Metallica, winners of Irish TV show “The Great Pretenders” and final surviving band from the “Scrap Metal Tour”. They certainly look suitably metal and the heavier material really appeals to younger members of the audience. All considered a really strong end to a solid day of Festival fun.
Words: David Spickett
Pictures: David Spickett
