Electric Picnic : The Aftermath (Part III : Sunday)

Apologies for the delay in part III of my EP09 review but I had to swan off to another little festival across the water but, as they say in the entertainment business, keep the best until last…. (In fairness they never shut up and just listen in the entertainment business either)

J. Tillman

First up for me early on the Sunday was Fleet Foxes drummer J Tillman who is slowly but consistently building up a cult following of his own. The poor guy had to deal with the harshest of conditions on the bare Body & Soul main stage but the crowd fortunately recognised talent and were going nowhere. It says an awful lot about the man that on the last of a three day festival/binge early on a small stage in harsh weather conditions that I never even once thought about my comfy warm sleeping bag. A talent of his own and highly recommended.

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble

As I was pushed for time with Okkervil River starting shortly I did manage to catch the first three or four tracks of HBE. However I was also present for their very entertaining line-check! With seven brass instruments to check inidividually this could easily have been a serious off-putter for any half-hearted specator but their cheeky “front-man” kept the crowd amused with jokes and light-hearted banter which really set a formidable foundation for the oncoming set. Barack Obama’s favourite band didn’t disappoint and did much more than simply build on the pre-laid foundations giving an energetic performance coupled with well rehearsed routines and, of course, that great powerful sound that only brass can produce.

Okkervil River

Okkervil River are a favourite of mine and therefore this review may be slightly biased. However the bias may lean to either side as, although I am very aware of their material they have also set such high standards that they may find them hard to consistently match. Either way Will Sheff and his wandering troubadours played a truly electric set with the ghost of rock ‘n’ roll burning through Sheff and their short set with “John Allyn Smith Sails” a personal highlight. Disgusted to find out they were running out of time at the end of the set, it only served to emphasize how much this band love to play

The Wailers

The Sunday afternoon reggae slot has now become a permanent fixture on the main stage and when it comes to reggae they do not come much bigger than The Wailers. In essence I suppose they are not much more than a tribute act at this stage.

Their nucleus formed in 1969, when Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, and Peter Tosh recruited the Barrett brothers – bassist Aston “Family Man” and drummer Carly – from Lee Perry’s Upsetters to play on hits such as Lively Up Yourself, Trenchtown Rock, Duppy Conqueror, and many more besides. 40 years on “Family Man” is the sole survivor. Singer Elan Atias could never live up to the massive shadow that hangs over the band but, on a wet and muddy Sunday afternoon, not even the Sun can resist popping its head out for such versions of “Stir It Up”, “No Woman No Cry” and “Is This Love”. The lineup has changed dramatically but it is very difficult to ignore the spirit that emanates from such classics.

Fleet Foxes

A delay of approximately an hour meant that the excitement and expectation awaiting the newly crowned saviours of indie-rock was at fever pitch by the time they hit the stage (for the second time as they frantically line-checked their instruments during the time they were scheduled to be playing). “Sun It Rises” eventually rang from the stage and the wait was over. Fleet Foxes Irish festival debut was here. Harmonies expertly delivered the most satisfying aspect of the performance was the booming volume of J Tillman’s drums adding an extra bite. “White Winter Hymnal”, “Your Protector” and “Oliver James” were all included as Fleet Foxes gave one of the performances of the weekend, provided you could make it into the tent that is.

Passion Pit

The standard of the Cosby stage was raised considerably this year with Sundays schedule alone also comprised of Bell Orchestre, Skream & Benga, The Acorn, The Jimmy Cake and The Big Pink. The highlight though was undeniably Passion Pit. Bursting with energy led admirably by frontman and vocalist Michael Angelakos the crowd and band alike were amazed at the performance and how well it was received with the 45 minute set not letting up for a second. Overwhelming boos at the mere mention of Oxegen seemingly highlighted the glaring difference of opinions of both sets of festival-going fans. One thing for sure is, if they do return to play EP2010, it will be on a a far bigger stage which makes this performance all the more special.

Flaming Lips

The setlist never really changes anymore and, to be very honest, neither do the theatrics but you cannot help but enjoy yourself when the cartoon that is The Flaming Lips explode onto the Electric Arena stage. Wayne Coyne stage-rolls onto the crowd in his trademark bubble. Dozens of animal-costumed crazies invade the stage. Balloons are set free from all angles and confetti rains on the crowd from above. Nothing surprising or new but nothing even slightly approaching disappointing neither. As in all cases putting The Flaming Lips in a box is as easy as catching that bloody Road Runner.

Basement Jaxx

In all truth I was not really a part of this gig but their last few songs i.e. the encore served as a great outro to my Electric Picnic as I left the main arena to the beats of “Where’s Your Head At” and “Rendez-Vu”. Basement Jaxx will always be fun. Basement Jaxx will always be lively. By the sounds of it this statement will remain accurate for another few years yet.