Reviews
End Of The Road festival
Venue: Larmer Tree Gardens
Town: Cranborne
Date: 2nd-4th September
Website:
http://www.endoftheroadfestival.com
With macaws gliding over exotic trees, fairy-light lit wooded walks, antique summer houses and strutting peacocks The Larmer Tree Gardens on the Dorset /Wilts border is a million miles away from the milling, massed sites that pass for most music festivals these days. Already home to arguably the UK's finest family festival, "The Larmer Tree," now in it's 21st year, it has recently played host to the splendidly "indie," End OF the Road (2-4 September), already mature beyond it's 5 years.
Blessed with that rarest of things in a British summer, a decent week -end, the capacity crowd were entertained by a host of alternative delights. Best show award went to the atmospheric Lykki Li; dry ice, stark lit, drums and long coats created a powerful almost gothic Sally Bowles backdrop. The messianic-bearded Josh T Pearson, with sparse spatial guitar illustrating sombre songs, wickedly undermined by rude goat jokes was a personal favourite. As was, Bob Log 111, a deranged Sea Sick Steve, with an equal love of the blues. Super Furry Animals front man Gruff Rhys is also a man with a sense of humour and a fine line in whimsical songs. But if whimsy is your bag then Herman Dune was the undoubted highlight, ably preceded by the earnest Jose Gonzalez and Junip.
Female song writing was well represented by a slightly shy Laura Marling, the country noir of Jolie Holland, the ever maturing Joan as Policewomen and the slightly strange tUne-yArDs. With The Big Top providing a home for darker, rockier elements, not everything in the garden was sweetness and light. Modern psychedelia was powerfully provided by Wooden Ships and The Black Angels. Bo Ningen were disturbingly frenetic and Kurt Vile was just plain loud and heavy. Guitar passion was provided elsewhere by a relentless Mogwai and 5 guitared Midlake.
Power of a different kind was the hallmark of The Fall's set. What strange grip does Mark E Smith have over his bands that they tolerate his wayward ways? But they do, and they deliver, brash and succinct. The complete opposite to that was the sometimes MOR ish John Grant and the homely Unthanks, possibly the best voices on offer all weekend.
The "unheralded star" act of the three days was the hard working Gordan Gano and the Ryans; ex Violent Femmes, multi instrumental, rootsy and passionate. Discovery of the event, by almost common consent, was "Lanterns on The Lake" (Mazzy Star meets Cowboy Junkies) ethereal voice and layered guitar, the perfect start to the final day. Joanna Newsome + harp was a slightly downbeat and odd finale to what had been a feast of challenging, moving and plain, entertaining alternative music. Despite increased capacity and a growing "party" element "The End of the Road" remains the serious music fans No 1 festival. At times, mid -set, you can still hear a pin drop. Respect runs deep. Set ends, discussion follows on. Long may it continue...
Doug Livermore
Image for illustrative purposes, not taken at gig