Sweet Anticipation
- Jun 20, 2008
It would be an understatement if I said I liked festivals. Theres just something about a day packed full of bands you can't wait to see and falling in love with bands you never heard of in the breaks in between. Jumping up and down next to strangers who feel the exact same way as you as you crush your ribs against the barrier. Playing spot the dodgy toilets and paying a insane prices for that beer you just got to have. And my next 2 fests pose no exception, a healthy fusion between the old and the new not to mention 3 of my top 5 performers of all time.
O2 Fest, Friday the 4th of July
Though I am not American I do very much look forward to celebrating my independence with the King of English rock music Morrissey himself. Lead singer of The Smiths till the group broke up in 1987 who influenced such bands as Radiohead, The Cranberries, Oasis, Blur, Belle and Sebastien, The Killers, Placebo and The Organ. The UK music magazine NME went so far as to call him called him the "most influential artist ever" for his role in the band. After the Smiths broke up in 1987 the Morriessey went onto a very successful solo career which includes ten top 10 hits in the UK.
Siouxsie is most notably remembered as the lead singer of the group Siouxsie and the Banshees, pioneers of the "rock is dead" philosophy of the post-punk movement. Siouxsie is the quintessential rock goddess who's energy and vocals influenced the likes of Robert Smith of the cure (who was even a guitarist in 1979), Garbage, Jane's addiction, Scissor sisters to name a few. With last year's solo album, 'Mantaray', Siouxsie demonstrated that she remains a powerful presence within the UK music scene and Morrisey himself said "None of them are as good as Siouxsie and the Banshees at full pelt. That's not dusty nostalgia, that's fact."
Wild in the Country, Saturday 5th of July
18 hours of jam packed of artists in six marquees and 1 out door stage. It's true that a whole lot of music is going to go down including the current indie stars of 2008 Foals, mixing and DJ maestro Soulwax and Sydney favourites The Presets, which yes I am excited about. But I would be lying if I said that I wasn't going to go for one reason and one reason alone. Björk. With her first recording contract at aged 5, a delve into the punk scene in The Sugarcubes, an astonishing solo career not to mention nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, an Academy Award and two Golden Globe (including one for acting). Need I say more? Love her or hate her but either way everyone has an opinion. Björk is nothing but an entertainer and I have to say that I have nothing but love for the swan wearing Islandic pixie.
So stay tuned as I bring you the news in two weeks time from up against the barrier as always in sweet anticipation.
