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Saturday was the main draw of London’s newest two-dayer with Annie Mac Presents… taking over the Planet Turbo Tent for the afternoon and Leftfield closing the Main Stage. Headlining Creamfields the next day you can imagine how much of the budget L.E.D. spent on their biggest act. It was worth every penny.
In contrast, South Africa’s ‘Die Antwoord’ (‘The Answer’ in Afrikaans) aren’t worth a McDonald’s coupon for a Fillet of Fish. On the Main Stage in the afternoon, the DJ fails to use his headphones for over half an hour. Instead choosing to jump up and down waving his arms like he’s on a special day out. MC duties were split between a tiny woman in gold leggings and a tall man complete with Fresh Prince of Bel-Air-hightower haircut. Mixing English with Afrikaans one lyric of note was “I think about you when I masturbate.” Even if it had been ironic it wouldn’t have been funny; as it was Gigwise was unusually lost for words. Worse than N-Dubz on a lot of cheap speed.
Promising the same system and vocalists as the last time they played live, Neil Barnes took to the stage without Paul Daley – who is currently working on a solo album – a little after the scheduled 9.15pm, backed by a full band. Formed in London in 1990, a long time has passed since 1999’s ‘Rhythm and Stealth’ followed 1995’s eponymous debut ‘Leftism’, which created its own genre. The orchestral ‘Song of Life,’ started their show, albeit somewhat quietly, the angelic female harmonies juxtaposing the dub beat way before its time. ‘Storm 3000’ and the beautiful ‘Release The Pressure’ follow, but it is the second half of the set that really kicks things into gear.
Earlier in the evening Annie Mac took over the decks from grime outfit ‘Boy Better Know’ and delivered everything we have come to expect from the Irish Radio 1 stalwart. After an uninspiring 20minutes of low-key dubstep, Mac started smashing big tunes from breakbeat, grime, house and most things in-between. It worked though. A remix of Yeah Yeah Yeah’s ‘Heads Will Roll’ kicks off a relentless half hour as the pace shifts to Primal Scream’s classic ‘Come Together,’ onto Mr. Vegas’ ‘Heads High’ before Aphrodite’s remix of ‘Ready or Not’ takes a pulsating tent onto another level.
Aphex Twin are technically brilliant but, having retreated to the bar, it proves very difficult to get into from outside. It isn’t loud enough, as Leftfield will find later; the age-old problem with putting festivals on in residential areas. Goldfrapp finish with ‘Strict Machine’ over on the Main Stage, but the 45 minute gap to Leftfield is too long. Prior to Friendly Fires taking to the stage a small downpour resulted in a double rainbow. It should have been a ‘festival moment’ – the kind organisers can’t buy – but with no music on it proved to be quickly forgotten, except by the limited number of National Geographic readers in attendance.
Back to business though and Leftfield close with three tracks worthy of any set list. The burly, vocodered-monster that is ‘Afrika Shox’ precedes tune of the night and Digweed- favourite ‘Space Shanty,’ before a Guinness-tinged ‘Phat Planet’ sees all the band’s vocalists take to the stage for a final bow. The trio combine perfectly as ‘Shox’ pounds and growls, ‘Shanty’ twists and turns before the horses take to the surfboards for one final knees up.
There is a lot of work to do if L.E.D. is going to become a staple of the festival circuit. The organiser’s really need to think about going back to basics and book a lot of new (cheaper) talent instead of a couple of big names, if this festival is going to have any longevity in a saturated market.
