Bloc Party @ Leeds Festival 2008
By Joseph C Seager
The last day of the festival. It threw it down on Saturday Night but when The Blackout came to the main stage, they had a little battle with the elements. The rain came down, they played harder, the rain tried a little harder, they played louder, the clouds parted and the sun came out to play. The day was bright and The Blackout had done exactly the opposite of their name. Creating a bit of competition between Leeds and Reading they got the crowd up and moving and the two vocalists launched themselves into the crowd toward the end of their set which livened things up 10-fold. Their tracks were lively and fun and jam packed full of aggression! They told everyone to check out other home grown talent including Kids In Glass Houses and You Me At Six, flying the flag for the UK. I enjoyed 'blacking out'.
Next up were The Automatic who I was going to interview shortly after their set. Most of the crowd dispersed after The Blackout but more arrived to watch The Automatic. Playing new tracks including 'Magazines' and 'This Is A Fix', the album track from their new album, they got a good response, but the old material was what got people dancing. 'Raoul', 'Recover', 'Monster' and the latest single 'Steve McQueen'. An enjoyable performance.
After interviewing Paul and Rob from The Automatic I caught the end of The Subways' set. The guys from The Automatic said they'd enjoyed listening to The Subways at Reading and they kicked it into overdrive for Leeds. From 'Oh Yeah' to 'Girls and Boys' and finishing off with 'Rock and Roll Queen', Billy, Charlotte and Josh rocked Leeds Festival like they have for the past five years! They clearly love playing this stage!
I headed over to the BBC Introducing Stage and caught a few songs of The Last People On Earth. The lead singer reminded me of Jack Black a little bit. He had a big beard, was a great front man and was very comedic. They had some great rock and roll style songs and obviously enjoyed playing the stage. They attracted a pretty big crowd as well for the small stage.
When I realised I'd got my times muddled up for Editors I fled the BBC Introducing Stage and watched some of their set. Tracks from both albums had the crowd jumping around and joining in with the choruses. Most notable tracks included 'Smokers Outside Hospital Doors', 'All Sparks' and 'An End Has A Start'. I love the vocal work, it's so operatic as I've noted before, and live it was exceptionally emotive and passionate.
I think I was one of millions of people heading to the NME/Radio One Stage. Not only did The Ting Tings manage to pack out the tent, they'd have sold it out eight maybe nine times over. The tent was crammed, out the entrances to the tent was full, around the screens was packed and pretty much anywhere in the vicinity of being able to hear the lyrics was stood still listening. I only hung around for a couple of songs but they opened with 'We Walk' which, to me, goes on and on about twice as long as it needs to. I enjoy this band, but it's very simple; perhaps that's why they've been so successful and are such a hit!
The Festival Republic Stage was where I headed next for Los Campesinos! Again, extremely packed out. I think the stage was just about big enough for the masses of members in the band. They rocked the tent right out. Everyone was singing along to their tracks which included 'My year In Lists' and 'Death To Los Campesinos!'. A very enjoyable show by such a bounding band!
Heading back to the BBC Introducing Stage allowed me to check out York band Hungry Ghosts. I was extremely impressed. The front man reminded me a lost of Rhys Ifns, not only in appearance but also in some of his mannerisms on stage. That's a complement, I like the actor, and I like this band. They've got a single called 'Snap Shut' coming out soon and I think this will propel them into the faces of more people and start to bring them success.
I didn't bother watching The Killers as I've seen them before and aren't that bothered about them so before I left for the car park I watched Bloc Party. What a way to wind up to the weekend. Bloc Party absolutely nailed it. Colin Murray wouldn't even let them onstage until the crowd were screaming their heads off for them. He said they were the best fucking band on the stage last year and I think they may have been the best thing on it this year too! 'Mercury', 'Hunting For Witches', 'Flux' all the big tracks were there and their new album is going to be massive. Leeds Festival 2008 was incredible! What a year!
