Friday, March 29, 2013

Glastonbury Line-Up 2013

Glastonbury Line-Up 2013



So, after endless months of speculation, the line up for Glastonbury 2013 has been announced.

It came out Wednesday night (as I’m writing this it’s Friday, Good Friday actually, morning) so I’ve had a day or so to ponder upon it all and wonder what it’ll really be like.

Like many things in life, it is impossible for it to have lived up to (mine, or anyone else’s) expectations. It’s a bit like wondering about a big lottery win; what would you do with all that money? What would your dream line-up for Glastonbury be? What was I really expecting?

There were a few times in the past couple of years, since the last festival, that I’ve daydreamed about who might have been pulled out of the Eavis’ metaphorical magic hat. Could they have got Led Zeppelin to reform? What would have been the possibility of Pink Floyd half reforming and giving it a go? Would they go off the wall and pick a wholly unsuitable, but massive heavy metal band such as AC/DC? How about Kate Bush? Dylan? Could it be Prince?

Putting all such notions to one side, I’ve then thought about who I’d personally like to see-The Fall, of course, and the perennial favourites such as The Flaming Lips and Wilco. Then  there’s the possibility of artists who I’ve just got into or heard a little bit of but never seen live. The other side of the coin are artists who I really liked for a while, but who have slightly slipped off my radar.

Whichever way it was, upon seeing that line-up for the first time on Wednesday, I scanned it and speed read it for those artists who weren’t on there; The Fall, The National, Flips etc. A bit like a very spoilt child at Christmas, there was a certain level of disappointment. Where were all these great bands that should have been on there? How come Mumford & Sons were headlining? Was it the first sign of the Apocalypse? What are the four horsemen? Famine, death, pestilence and plague? Are a bunch of flat-capped posh boys bringing up the rear?

However, on reflection and having had a good nights’ sleep, I’ve looked at it all again and realised that it’s not half bad. Discounting the aforesaid Mumfords, there’s some pretty good stuff potentially. (Still not wholly convinced about the Rolling Stones.) Elvis Costello, Dinosaur Jr, Vampire Weekend, Portishead, The Strypes and Evan Dando will be worth a look see.

Anyway, as I keep reading and hearing about Glasto, it’s not about the music it’s so much more. And whilst I agree, it does kind of beg the question that if that’s the case, then why not just spend a few days in a random muddy field with your mates getting stoned and pissed? Wouldn’t it be cheaper?

Only joking.

Glastonbury is something so special and I can’t wait until June.

Off to get some new wellies.

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