Isle of Wight 2015 Review

A festival famous for its iconic history, for hosting Jimi Hendrix for his final ever UK date, made even more history this weekend. To host the legends of Fleetwood Mac was beyond what anyone could have expected.

The festival ground itself generally followed a long line shape with the Main Stage being at the very bottom, and the majority of general camping being about a 15-20 minute walk dependent on your position and how late you arrived. Isle of Wight had more of a carnival feel in comparison to other festivals, with multiple rides scattered around. Food was also good with a decent variety in comparison to the endless burger vans of Reading.

Keen festival-goers could arrive as early as Thursday afternoon to enjoy the evening's entertainment of Billy Idol who delivered a performance which proved he's not lost any of that unforgettable energy.

Billy Idol and Steve Stevenson (via Getty Images)

Friday's main stage was electric: each act delivered something different. Beginning with The Struts, who were pleasantly surprising in the confidence and enthusiasm delivered by an energetic frontman. Luke Spiller launched himself into the (slightly soggy) crowd, managing to get them all to crouch around him as he led a call-and-response routine. Kodaline next, whilst appearing somewhat disinterested in the crowd, delivered a highly emotive set, 'The One' being a bit more lively but still with a sadder downtone. Counting Crows' frontman Adam Duritz performed one of the most emotive sets I've ever seen, standing on speakers and singing each word with passion, emotion and feeling.

The afro'd Adam Duritz of Counting Crows delivered a highly emotive performance (via Ella Squire)

You Me At Six surprised us with an extremely vigorous performance, showing they deserved their set, with a dynamic lead who really got the crowd going in preparation for the Black Keys (who I was fortunate enough to be centre at the barrier for.) Dan Auerbach gave an incredibly tireless, powerful performance, managing to get the whole crowd singing along. Gold on the Ceiling had the whole crowd screaming with only the opening guitar intro riff, leaving us unfazed and distracted from the torrential rain.
Finally, the Prodigy, Friday's headliners delivered an absolutely hyper-charged performance which drove the crowd insane. The sheer power, volume and electricity it featured honestly cannot be placed into words.

The Prodigy kill Friday night (via Yui Mok/PA)

Saturday started a bit later for myself, the first act being 'Reg Against The Machine' at the atmospheric yet friendly Kashmir cafe. Expecting a skanked-up cover of Renegades of Funk, I was surprised to find instead a guy called Reggie and his band- who really did have a great bassist, albeit not what I expected. Later on that night I was fortunate enough to witness Kool and the Gang, who gave a brass-heavy performance reminiscent of sets such as Chic at Glastonbury 2013 with the sheer talent exerted by the incredible brass players and confidence and zeal shown by the vocalists.

Kool and the Gang and their incredible brass section killed it on Saturday evening (via Ella Squire)

Pharrell Williams next was full of energy, accompanied by energetic and stunning dancers, performing his hits alongside his features- Get Lucky, and some N.E.R.D tracks. Unfortunately, however, at times Pharrell seemed a bit new and inexperienced to festival sets and you could sense the crowd becoming a bit bored- luckily his hyper-charged, gorgeous dancers picked the atmosphere back up with their dance interludes.

Pharrell brings a crowd of people on for the final song, 'Happy'. (via Ella Squire)

Finally Blur stole the night, proving they haven't lost any of their vigour or spirit. Joined by large LED ice creams on stage and pumping out big tunes, the whole crowd loudly chanting along. Finishing with Song 2, Parklife, and Girls and Boys, the rain, ruined clothes and Prodigy-caused aches and pains from Friday's eventful day faded into insignificance and the band and songs which wholly defined Britpop took everyone by storm.

The visual-heavy set of Blur was something to be remembered (via Ella Squire)

Sunday, in comparison to the previous two days, was much more folk, indie-folk, indie rock and even some rockabilly jazzy-blues based, finishing with rock legends Fleetwood Mac. For me beginning with Imelda May at the main stage, who wowed the crowd with her vibrant vocals and had everyone dancing in the early afternoon sun. The View at the Big Top were for me next, who had both heavier songs alongside the lighthearted 'Face For The Radio' and getting the whole crowd singing 'Same Jeans'. Alongside being a great atmosphere in the Big Top, the set was enlightening, energetic and passionate.

First Aid Kit on the Main Stage on Sunday Night ended up being one of my favourites of the whole weekend- already being one of my favourite artists, they managed to recreate the vulnerable vocals and deliver the spine-shivering harmonies live, still sounding as stunning as it does on record. The sisters filled their 55 minute set with favourites from their 2014 album 'Stay Gold' and some older tracks- 'Wolf', 'The Lion's Roar' and finishing with 'Emmylou'.

Staying Gold- First Aid Kit live up to high expectations (via Ella Squire)

Paolo Nutini impressed next, singing passionately and delivering live, toned down versions of 'New Shoes' and 'Pencil Full Of Lead' which impressed the crowd. 'Iron Sky' for me was a highlight- they played the Great Dictator's speech halfway through with a film playing behind, just as it does in the track, all round creating an extremely powerful performance.

This only left the weekend's headliner: Fleetwood Mac. With fans piling into the main stage to see them, filling past the field and beyond- the atmosphere was electric. I was lucky enough to be quite close to the front. As soon as Mick stepped on stage, the crowd went insane. Finally joined by Christine McVie, Stevie made her (first, of many) entrance in her first outfit (over the course of the set, she rocked 3 wardrobe changes.)
The set essentially was Rumours- which as far as myself and my friends were concerned, was what we wanted. Lindsay Buckingham is undoubtedly one of the most underrated guitarists of all time, his timing, expression and rhythm was all perfect. He had a more acoustic part of the set, performing 'Landslide' with Stevie, and finishing with 'Never Goin' Back Again' and 'Big Love', where he managed to carry two melodies on the guitar and sing at the same time- absolutely awe-inspiring, and my highlight of the weekend. After finishing with 'Go Your Own Way' and an encore with 'Don't Stop', the set finished, leaving us sore-throated from carefree, fanatic singing, and also leaving me unable to go see another set in fear it would seem far inferior to what I had just witnessed.

Stevie Nicks in her second costume change, giving her speech on 'Dreams' (via PA, The Independent)

However, Sunday night I did explore some more of the tents: 'Electro Love' (where I did spend a lot of my weekend, naturally), the 80s tent, was constantly lively and always ready to greet you with New Order, Pet Shop Boys, or classic synth pop hits. 'Hey Joe', the Hendrix-inspired bar and dance tent also had good DJs which delivered crowd pleasers.

Despite what other reviewers say, Isle of Wight was a festival to be remembered. With a wide range of genres covered in terms of acts, John Giddings really set out to please everyone. Critiques would probably be the distance between camping and the main stage (a strong 20 minute walk, despite this being unavoidable), the limited capacity of certain areas (such as the Strongbow Tree, however again this is unavoidable) and the odd annoying person- but this, above all, is extremely unavoidable at a festival (but a cup of piss thrown over you by some drunken idiot definitely has the potential to put a downer on the night.) The food choice was good and the fairground rides popular with most (albeit very expensive). Fleetwood Mac definitely served as the highlight of the weekend, finally fulfilling the 'Dreams' of many a Fleetwood fan in the main arena.

What a weekend! Sorry for the delay in the review. Ciao!

-Ella

Music & Creating Memories

Music is the soundtrack of memories. I don't know if it's scientifically proven, but for so many people, it's just a fact that with a certain song may arise a certain memory.
I've been thinking philosophically a lot over the past few days, and well, I feel I'm onto something.

I'm not a scientist, but I know this: with certain songs, if played over and over again in close proximity within a certain period of time, you'll find that track reminds you of a certain summer, a particular holiday or period in your life. A particular summer #1 hit inevitably will become the 'anthem' of the summer. In a few years time, when you hear that track, suddenly certain happy or sad memories may come to you which you may have completely forgotten. The way you felt towards certain people, your outlook on life... all of which the nostalgia that you feel entails.

However- how does the 'single-play song' theory work? That if, say, at a party, someone plays a certain song, and when you hear that song again you're reminded of a particular event at the party (let's say, a little dance with some spice you met.) When you hear that song, you imagine that dance and the emotions you felt. The same as a certain song may remind you of when the band played that in concert, or at a festival set.
Now- in this situation, does the one song theory only work because the memory is powerful- not the song in particular? Does the song come secondary to the memory?
Whereas, in the case of the song played many times over a period, is it that the song is what brings the memory up, and the music which rekindles a memory?

I don't know if I'm explaining myself well. I don't know if this is a worthy blog post. But there is a moral to this- music is integral when it comes to memories. Music is a staple.
So, I urge you to compile playlists for summer, winter, revision time, anything. The songs involved don't have to be hits of the time, they can be songs that fit the mood (motivational, summery, whatever). Memories are so much easier to remember with the aid of music and well, does anyone want to sit at the end of their life, having forgotten so many wonderful memories to look back on and know it's been a good life?

Memories are evidence of, well, living. Of having done something worth remembering. Can music help that? When I'm 90, will the opening bells of 'Do You Realize??' by The Flaming Lips bring back the same summer memories, the feelings I had towards certain people and what meant most to me? Will I remember walking through a wood lit up by fairy lights, under the blanket of a starry night, with one person who seemed to mean everything at the time?

Even though everything will be different, even if those people mean nothing to me by that point, even if I regret those things, if I am quite lucky enough to rekindle those memories through the power of music- to me, that seems like nothing but a positive thing.
One can only hope, but it's worth a try.

Some food for thought. Happy Wednesday.

-Ella

The Summer Playlist 2015 - it begins!

EXAMS ARE DONE. EXAMS ARE DONE.
EXAMS ARE DONE.

And thus...the summer playlist begins! I've been compiling this for around a month now, and I think it's pretty much ready for the summer.
Find the full playlist here, on Spotify.

So here are my top 20 songs on the playlist (there's currently almost 100 in total.) Some new, some old, some classic summer tracks...and slipped in some artists which I'll be viewing and reviewing this summer.

But they're all equally summery and perfect for roadtrips, lying back in the grass and pool parties. Here's to the sun, the sea, and the summer that lies ahead! I hope to be posting more summer groups of songs as time goes on.

1. The Barr Brothers ~ Come in the Water
As I reviewed it- a spectacularly calm and peaceful song. Listen to 'Love Ain't Enough' and 'Even the Darkness has Arms' too.
2. Empire of the Sun ~ We Are The People {Shazam Remix}
One of my favourite europop-sounding songs...as dancey as it gets. I only heard this mix for the first time in Forever 21 in April. Inexplicably loved it.
3. The Decemberists ~ Calvary Captain
Folk, motivation...
4. Looper ~ Mondo '77
As reviewed, motivational, driving, powerful.
5. Kendrick Lamar ~ For Free? {Interlude}
Usually I'm not a fan of this, but this really is fantastic. Sort of like modern day rap mixed with crazy bop. Heavy jazz influenced album overall.
6. Tame Impala ~ Let It Happen
Early electronic influence. The use of stops in the centre section is phenomenal! Lucky enough to see these guys at End of the Road this year.
7. Future Islands ~ Doves {Vince Clarke Remix}
Clean, bright piano, deep vocal...End of the Road bound!
8. Sugar ~ If I Can't Change Your Mind
Acoustic strumming heavy, harmony heavy, adoration heavy.
9. Talking Heads ~ This Must Be The Place
Forever the number one 'Good Day' track.
10. Tennyson ~ Lay By
A chilled track based off a car alarm.
11. Fleetwood Mac ~ Never Goin' Back Again
The Isle of Wight headliners!
12. Nadine Shah ~ Stealing Cars
What an incredibly deep, toned voice. Newly-added female idol.
13. Songhoy Blues ~ Soubour
Desert driving feel.
14. Rhye ~ The Fall
Piano line drives it. Sad, but hopeful.
15. R.E.M ~ Nightswimming
The song which talks about nothing BUT creating summer memories. Let's create an inception of memories created to the sound of this track.
16. The War On Drugs ~ Red Eyes
End of the Road headliners, happiest song.
17. Peter Broderick ~ And It's Alright
The ultimate song of peace and reassurance.
18. Young Fathers ~ GET UP
GET UP AND HAVE A PARTY.
19. Shuggie Otis ~ Strawberry Letter 23
Glockenspiel?
20. Bombay Bicycle Club ~ How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep
A Summer Playlist is not a Summer Playlist for me without this one magical track.

Who is READY for a summer full of music discovery, of live music, of sharing music...I definitely am.

And can I just say, to whoever at Edexcel who chose the tracks for the AS Music Technology exam...you are my GOD. What a way to exit my exams with a bang.
(Giorgio By Moroder by Daft Punk, Left to my Own Devices by Pet Shop Boys, Only You by Portishead, Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor by Arctic Monkeys, What's Goin On by Marvin Gaye, Flower People by Spinal Tap... INCREDIBLE. ON FIRE.)

Happy beginning of summer! We're far from the summer holidays but they're getting closer...

Have a good weekend!

-Ella