Live Review

Leeds – Saturday – Leeds Festival

• 24th Aug 2008

Sunshine! Lots of it, and what was a swamp yesterday now resembles somthing approaching terra firma.

Beans On Toast is the first act of the day, well-known to us as he lives about 14 yards from the Glasswerk London Office. He does his best to wind up the Leeds crowd but an empty tent at the beginning is full half an hour later. Later on in this acoustic/comedy tent we watch Stephen Lynch – a new one for me but most comedy bods will probably know him as he’s apparently on TV lots. Very good he was too, nothing like a good bit of political incorrectness in the afternoon. Songs about The Special Olympics, Anne Frank and AIDS tests left us very guilty about the fact we were in stitches.

Jack Penate proves easy listening and not much more. Yes there’s some catchy singles but the rest all seems to merge into each other. The same could be said about MGMT according to Glasswerk Mat, but they seem a cut above many of the other breaking bands this year. To have 10,000 humming your tune for a good 10 minutes as they left the tent must be awe-inspiring for the band backstage.

Then it’s over to the main stage for the heavyweights that are QOTSA and RATM. The sound’s not great and half way back it is pretty devoid of atmosphere. Queens play a routine set, pretty well received, but it’s clear who the majority of people are there to see. Rage come on 20 minutes late, in civilian clothing rather than the orange boilersuits apparently worn at Reading. Killing in the Name Of is saved for the very end and provokes a big sing along. Everyone seems impressed. Roll on Sunday…