Thursday
Decision time again, though this time it's much easier,
Chumbawamba (acoustic) or local Cambridge band the Shivers. The Shivers
lost.
On almost any other Thursday night Chumbawamba would have been
headliners, but Nizlopi have achieved the holy grail of a number 1 in the
mainstream chart since we last all met at Cambridge.
The choice proves it's
self almost immediately as the band kick into a three part vocal refrain of
"What did you do in the war Dad?"
The delivery may be categorised as harmony,
but the content is decidedly at odds with the word.
It may be acoustic, but
that doesn't mean the band have mellowed in anyway. The songs are still
aggressive and powerful. They tackle real issues, spousal abuse, the injustice
of war, not just the conflict in Iraq.
The band still proudly wears their
left wing affiliations on their sleeve.
If Chumbawamba were deputy prime
minister, and I think pound for pound they weigh the same, they wouldn't be
playing croquet on the Lawn when a good game of footie would go down
better.
The sound is great as are the songs the atmosphere of lighting and
smoke gives the set a little bit more, though it does make the band a bitch to
photograph.
I slip away part way through the set to catch a new departure for
Cambridge, organised fully acoustic sessions in the main bar.
When I get
there the Broken Family band is giving it all they've got. There's a small but
appreciative crowd watching the set. The band play at the end of the bar to
ensure they don't get in the way of that other festival mainstay,
drinking.
Almost duty bound I make my way back to the Radio Two Stage to
catch Nizlopi. I've never caught them live before and want to see if there's
more substance to the duo than just the single.
I'm pleased to report there
is. For a pair of musicians, one stuck behind a double bass there's lots of
movement and energy. The band have plenty nous, know how to write a good tune
and have plenty of get up and go about them.
Talented though they undoubtedly
are, they really don't click with me so I got up and went.
I head to the Club
Tent instead to catch The Anna Massie Band's second half.
On the way there I
bump into members of No I.D. The band isn’t set to perform this year, but they
are involved in the Hub band project. I blagg a copy of the band's new cd,
Footprints, their second. (A full review will appear on our sister website,
Cambridge & Beyond. Checkout our links section)
By the time I get there
it's packed. Knowing the trio will be kicking off the Friday I content myself to
standing at the side and immerse myself in their Celtic inspired sounds thanking
the gods and goddesses of music that the band has made it through the college
years and emerged the other side intact.
It's a great way to end the Thursday
night, there's time to drift around the site and take in the atmosphere before
winding my way back to base camp.