Photo: Alexia Arrizabalaga
Tenacious D brought day two of Roskilde festival to a close last night with a mammoth 20-song set drawing from their three albums.
Jack Black and Kyle Gass were the heart and soul of a theatrical, extremely funny, and tight hard rocking show.
Material from their 2001 self-titled debut album proved to be the biggest hit of nostalgia for the MTV generation. Songs like 'Tribute', 'Wonderboy', and 'Fuck Her Gently' received overwhelming support from the packed main stage crowd.
In addition to the acoustic guitar wielding front duo, guitarist John Konesky melted minds with his flash soloing and tight rhythm playing. Meanwhile, the drummer and bassist were equally powerful and ensured that Tenacious D, although a satirical version of a hard rock band, were actually as strong musically as a lot of the greats.
Moreover, in-between song stage banter doesn't get better than the nonsensical insanity of Jack Black - and he couldn't put a foot wrong as the Danes lapped up every last minute. The potency of this band hasn't faded in the last 15 years and they did everything to deserve their 00:30 starting time on the main stage.
Although Tenacious D didn't wrap up until 2am, Roskilde knows that heavy gigs are greater late at night and the mosh pit for Seattle-based nihilistic sci-fi punk trio So Pitted, up on the Pavilion stage, was one of the most primal expressions of love for alternative rock seen all weekend.
The young grungy crowd was only about 100 strong but those who witnessed it will have the show brandished on to their mind for some time. The intensity of the feedback in between songs created a dramatic attrition that heightened the adrenaline of moshers, who were engulfed by the Big Black and The Jesus Lizard-esque three piece. The band, who are currently signed to Sub Pop, were so powerful it gave a hint that Seattle should still be looked upon for its rich music scene today as the greats don't only lie in the past.
Earlier in the day, Secretly Canadian signees Destroyer performed a mesmeric set of sophisti-pop . With the band at their artistic prime it was the perfect time to catch Destroyer. Although they're ten albums in their last two, 2011's Kaputt, and 2015's Poison Season have been their best yet.
In addition to the arresting Loud Reed-esque vocals of Dan Bejar there was a six piece band, including a trumpet player who played through a variety of guitar effects pedals, who filled space with beautiful harmonious textures. The musicianship in this band is up there with PJ Harvey's lot.
However, the atmosphere didn't compare to the ecstasy and astoundment of the enormous gathering for PJ Harvey. The crowd were nearly delirious with joy and PJ Harvey herself had a lump in her throat, and a hint of a tear in her eye at one point - she was overjoyed by the praise in reaction to the superb new album. It wouldn't be a surprise if the band later turn around and announce Roskilde as one of their favourite shows of this extensive 2016 tour.
The highlight of the set was a retrospective jam of 1995 cut 'Down By The Water'. The grungy riff by guitarist John Parish and Harvey's snarl was a welcome addition to a festival with its history steeped in heavy rock. They could quite easily have headlined.
