Leeds Festival
25th August Friday
Day 1
Almost a week on from Muse's epic club request show I'm here for round 2 waiting for the gate to open to the main gate to the festival stages.
I bump into 2 French Muser's we chat about the setlist and how long they have followed them for, I make a trip to the 'Clean' Portaloos as I wont see one of those again once I'm inside at the main stage.
On the way across to the main stage miles away I bump into my good mate and fellow 'Muser' 'Phoebe' oops or is that 'Courtney' all will become clear later on that joke lol.
We head over to get a spot on the barrier ready for the main act, I'm not there for long when she informs me of the rumour that 'Queens Of The Stoneage' will be on the 'Radio One Stage' at 12.45pm, I cant believe it , the hardest decision not to move from the barrier and lose my spot to run and watch them , and 'Muse' won again of course lol.
First band on are a change to the original bill, 'Royal Republic' couldn't do it due to personal issues , so we got 'The Excerts' from 'Aberdeen', they were quite Rock to kick things off, the sun was shining and we were all excited as there was no sign of mud today ,although I was prepared with my wellies in case.
Next act 'Pins' from Manchester an all girl group dressed quite kooky with girl in a Pineapple style design outfit (funny because Pineapples are on the banned goods to take list thanks to a new craze ) the singer had a star shaped tambourine, they were really entertaining kind of like a female version of 'Kasabian' with rhyming swagger, I enjoyed their set, they got the crowd to join in on one verse.
It was then the turn of 'Vant' with the singer dressed in a White Nasa suit with a political message in black on the back that read 'White Men Are Evil',not sure I agree solely on that there's evil on all sides really but its an image that will no doubt get them 'Publicity' I'd seem them before supporting 'Nothing But Theives'.
Singer has since been better groomed with shorter up to date haircut and visually he reminded me of 'Ian Mculloch' of 'Echo & The Bunnymen' when he was young.
The standout song was 'Karma Seeker' the bands stage prescence has stepped up a gear for their debut on the 'Main Stage', the next act from the 'USA' 'Against The Current' a rock band with female vocalist to rival both 'Tonight Alive' and 'Paramore' in succession the female singer whirls onstage like a mini whirlwind, flicking back her Auburn hair from her face, shes wearing Gold Foil look trousers and little black crop top with chains across the shoulders.
She crouches on the stage singing all her lyrics she has more energy than a Relentless drink, I've not heard any of the songs but they have been featured regularly in 'Kerrang' and 'Rock Sound' magazine.
I'm not quite sure I'm ready for the next act,but no choice but to 'Batten down The Hatches' as 'The Architects' took to the stage, the experimental flame throwers onstage tell me it's going to get rough.
As they walk onstage with the lead vocalist in black hoody staring out at us they immediately begin a vocal assault, yelling down the mic at a level I've not seen since 'Chester Bennington's' early days in 'Linkin Park' (God Rest Him ), but at least he sang the lyrics in between and had a iconic voice to match, this was 'dirge' to me.
The lead vocalist added more fuel to the fire yelling "I want to see as many of you over here that we can get ! ", 'Oh Shit Crowdsurfers Overhead' it was constant it was awful for those first few minutes til right at the end when a heavy guy landed across my head there were also at least 3 circle pits behind us , I leapt up unable to get my head up, and went for him, only to realise I'd got hold of one security by the shirt collars, he looked at me in what I can only describe my #Scowling face in a shocked but amused expression and said "I think you're a bit angry aren't you" .
I was I kept throwing the crowd surfer off me myself when security couldn't be everywhere at that point I'd not realised I drew blood, I'd got chinned on the barrier, so feeling like a boxer ready for next round I hollered for some water and a quick check up, I bathed it in the cup of water it was throbbing but they said in didn't look too bad its got a bump on to this day I think a fragment of my chin is in there!!
Thankfully it was over and next up was rapper 'Giggs', he has a DJ onstage called 'The Landlord' to introduce him and 'Giggs' bounces on with a rap, I've not a clue who he is never heard of him before but he's no 'Dizzy Rascal' as from what I recall he kept stopping and starting telling the crowd to 'Skank' and repeat the lyrics for which most 'Muser's on the front row looked on bemused.
Next act a relative success in the north from 'Stockport' 'The Blossoms', a very young indie band whose sound put me in mind of 'Cast' and the upcoming Indie band 'The Sherlocks',singer has the longest hairdo of the day, its a slow set and the crowd welcome the break from moshers and crowd surfers,but it's a little too slow for me for a headlining band, as for reports that they could headline next year I say no sorry but way way not ready yet ,singer looked a bit lost on stage when they didn't get the crowd reaction towards the end.
So to try and involve the crowd in some way he says "Has Anyone in the crowd here been dumped by someone". My mate alongside me was she was pointed out by some of her friends and me , in a comical exchange of banter the singer said "Whats His and your name... "Danny, and 'Phoebe ' I yelled no its not 'Phoebe' !! but he didn't hear and kept saying this is a song about Phoebe and Danny she laughed it was funny but what we didn't think about is we were on the big screen everyone was watching us #Cringe.
After the excitement of that it was time for an icon to take to the stage, he had at least 16 mirror plates in the backdrop of his stage set,it's getting squashy up at the front as 'Liam Gallagher' my nemesis lol takes to the stage.
This will be his biggest gig here since his secret appearance at the 'One Love' Manchester show back in 'July',he walks on in Navy parka possibly his own 'Pretty Green' Label, newly shaved hair, to 'Oasis's 'Swamp Song' straight into 'Rock N Roll Star' the 'Oasis' theme continues with 'Morning Glory' into the new single 'Wall Of Glass' from 'As You Were' my fav from that album is 'For What Its Worth' which gets the crowd singing.
Its then the turn of my fav 'Oasis' song from 'Be Here Now' in '1997' 'Do Y'know What I Mean' then absolute classic 'Slide Away' from 'Definitely Maybe' which leaves fans gasping for more, but after teasing it goes back to his solo material finishing with 'Universal Gleam' it was a great set and he sauntered off stage uttering "Safe Journey Home See Ya Soon".
Nearly time for the closing act and it's started raining off and on ,we're in need of a 'H.A.R.P. weather system, So ready for 'Muse' the synth begins pulsating,as 'Chris' , 'Dom' and then 'Matt' appears in flashing glasses, in funky satin jacket and lit up Cort guitar with blue LEDS around the edges posing as 'Dig Down' starts up its like a follow up to 'Madness' and then back to business with 'Psycho'. We're not going to get rarities like in 'Shepherds Bush', but the effects and lasers tonight are enough to satisfy avid fans.
The set included 'Stockholm Syndrome' and 'Yes Please',to 'Dom's bit on the drums for 'Isolated System' and then 'Yesss!!!' they didn't disappoint or forget we got 'Showbiz' it was Awesome and a Huge surprise for those that missed last weekend's show.
There was a nod to 'Close Encounters' movie theme on the guitar and into 'Supermassive Black Hole', before the end of Part 1 of the show there was camera trickery of 'Madness', where Matt sings into the camera wearing glasses with the song lyrics on his shades.
There was the walkabout section where 'Matt' came down off the stage to greet lucky fans during 'Starlight' and he wanders about the place being the rockstar he didn't want to be at times laughing with the crowd,but he was clearly enjoying the moment. Back to 'Absolution' with 'Tiro', 'Hysteria' and from 'Black Holes & Revelations' for a laser packed version of 'Take A Bow', where 'Matt' appears to hold one laser between his thumb and fingers very visually clever.
Our encore was 'Uprising' and the usual ending 'Knights Of Cydonia' and that was it , and they took a bow and left the stage.
So Its all over time to leave and get my cab outta here, easier than last time around and didn't look too daunting my best Big festival experience so far and no mud couldn't ask for anything else.
Well that's your Muse fix Muser's !!
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