What: Clumberfest
Where: Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire
When: 22nd August
Reviewed by: Darren Singleton
Clumberfest 2009 was a 1 day mini-festival, featuring Supergrass, The Lightning Seeds and Super Furry Animals.
Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire is a perfect location for an event such as this, an open space surrounded by woods, farmland and a huge lake. The weather was sunny, the mood was good, and the queue for the beer stall was ridiculous. I imagine some people will still be in it this time next week.
The first act to come on were Supergrass, dare I say the finest band ever to come out of Oxford. Supergrass have the advantage of having some real crowd pleasing hits in their back catalogue, all of which were played during this set. Sun Hits the Sky, Richard III and Moving ensured the crowd were kept happy and, in some cases, dancing. The set closed with 1994 debut single Caught by the Fuzz. Its hard to imagine anyone coming away disappointed such a polished and hit-laden set.
As the darkness fell, the crowd started abandoning the mats on which they had earlier lay in the sun on and squashed to the front of the stage. One thing didn’t change though - the queue for the beer stall.
Next on were veteran Liverpool band The Lightning Seeds. I have to confess I had thought this band had split up a few years ago, but here they were, with lead singer Ian Broudie looking exactly the same as he did 10 years ago.
After the first few songs, I was surprised at how understated and mellow the band sounded, the pulsing keyboard beats replaced by a soft guitar sound.
It seemed to work on most songs, but hits like Pure just didnt sound right slowed down slightly. However, I came away impressed by the set, I had forgotten just how many truly fantastic songs the Lightning Seeds had recorded. Songs like Sense, Life of Riley and Lucky You reminded us why this band are held in such high esteem.
So it was onto the headline act next, Cardiff’s finest - Super Furry Animals. This is a band I have seen many times before, and knew to expect a certain degree of craziness. If the band appeared on stage beamed down from a spaceship I wouldnt have even raised an eyebrow.
As it happens, they didn’t. The band arrived on stage sporting beards which would put most tramps to shame, and lead singer Gruff Rhys was armed with cue cards instructing the crowd to shout ‘woah’ or applaud whenever they were held up - as if they needed any encouragment.
The Super Furries never disappoint live - and they certainly didn’t on this occasion. The set comprised of hits, classics, and a few songs from new album Dark Days/Light Years was lapped up by the crowd, most of which who sang every word. It was obvious who the bulk of the people had come to see.
A cynic would probably argue that most of the band appeared..how can I put this…’out of it’ - but then again if I saw the Super Furry Animals perform a gig completely sober then it would surely be the weirdest one yet.
All in all a great day, 3 impressive sets, fantastic weather, and did I mention a very long beer queue?
Photos: Clumberfest - Live @ Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire (22nd Aug 09)
Taken By: Darren Singleton
Click on photos to view:
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