Monday 18 May 2009

All Tomorrows Parties Vs The Fans 2009




Middle Boop's favourite festival has outdone itself yet again. The weekend featured some of the best music you will ever hear. The lineup was as diverse as ever with a crazy mix of some of the heaviest bands you will ever hear to shoegazey electronica and folk. The weekend started on an absolute high with Health being the first band I saw and boy, did they set the bar. Having only heard their remix album I was expecting extreme indie electro but what we got was one of the most frantic, loud and aggressive sets I have ever seen. Imagine Sonic Youth turning it up and necking a pack of Red Bull, the general consensus was that they were the band of the day, if not one of the weekend. They have to be seen to be believed. Next up was M83, probably the best way to get over the craziness of Health, playing a great set of atmospheric pop showing what indeed the fuss has been all about. The headliners on the Friday were Devo, who crammed their set full of all of the classics dancing around the stage proving they have definitely still got it. Friday drew to a close with two of the most minimal, heavy and atmospheric bands possibly ever, Jesu and Fuck Buttons. Jesu, a band I have literally been waiting around five years to see live did not disappoint, tacky backgrounds aside the noise those two made was astonishing and the same with Fuck Buttons, drawing one of the biggest crowds of the night, and deservedly so, playing most of their debut album 'Street Horrsing' and messing about with a few of the classics they showcased exactly why ATP signed them up. Saturday saw host to some exceptional talent, Sian Alice Group, mixing in bits of free jazz, modern classical and soul amazed me, as well as the wonderful Grizzly Bear and Cave Singers who both played charming, happy, brilliantly executed folk. This also provided a respite before the almighty Jesus Lizard. Back after a ten year hiatus, within 30 seconds of the opening number lead singer David Yow had ripped his shirt off and dived into the crowd, by the end of the song he had managed to crawl his way to the back of the venue he is an absolute nutter, both sets they played were genius. An amazing return to form. Sunday saw a few fairly uninspiring sets from Parts and Labor who probably shouldn't have played the main stage, musically they are pretty cool but their live sound was awful. I was also a little disappointed with Killing Joke, playing to a small crowd of extreme fans and a few onlookers. Their performances were entirely overshadowed by Future of The Left whose ironic brand of heavy, fast rock was surprisingly refreshing, they were also hilarious to watch, ripping into various people in the crowd, it was great to watch. Now on to the last two bands of the weekend. School of Seven Bells and This Will Destroy You. School of Seven Bells up first played one of the most emotional and breathtaking gigs I have seen since Sigur Ros. I get the feeling they will be having a big year. This Will Destroy You, a band I knew nothing about closed ATP with a band, playing the smallest stage they stunned the packed crowd playing Explosions In The Sky esq post rock, before they came on I wondered why they had been put on last but as soon as the first song had ended I knew why. Epic. ATP is without a doubt the best festival that exists, long may it continue.

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