Weather Tonight: 9°c Light showers Morning: 14°c Overcast

Critics' Choice

Film

Andrew O'Hagan

quoteNew Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of itquote

Andrew O'Hagan The Twilight Saga: New Moon Theatre

Henry Hitchings

quoteA smart, prickly and rewarding view of sexual and emotional confusionquote

Henry Hitchings Cock Restaurants

David Sexton

quoteKitchen W8 is a bargain for this area, if such sophistication is what you crave quote

David Sexton Kitchen W8

Reader reviews

Film

Adam, Harrow

quoteToo long and drawn out but very entertaining with excellent special effectsquote

2012 Theatre

Rob, London

quoteThis is a peculiar play and does not work for me. Some of it is very funny but there are real flawsquote

The Habit Of Art Music

Bernard, London

quoteAlex has a strong powerful voice and was faultless, she is far better now than she was on the X-Factorquote

Alexandra Burke

Music reviews London,

Glastonbury Festival

Your rating
one startwo starthree starfour starfive star
Click on a star to rate


Evening Standard rating Rick Pearson's rating
Evening Standard rating Reader rating
 Add your review


 

Blasting into space at Glastonbury

By Rick Pearson, None  29.06.09
 
Blur at Glastonbury

Glastonbury moment: Blur have the crowd chanting the refrain to their song Tender

Other reviews

If last year was a spectacular comeback for Glastonbury, this was more of a routine victory.

Tickets sold out quickly, the sun shone bright and its three-pronged attack of Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen and Blur had more than enough firepower to wow the Worthy Farm faithful.

Without a controversial headliner like Jay-Z, however, it lacked a little for drama.

Indeed, many of the best moments were to be found away from the larger spaces.

Disco darling Little Boots got things going at the John Peel stage, where her infectious electropop had the crowd partying like it was 1989.

On the fist-pumping new single Remedy, Little Boots sounded ready to step into bigger shoes.

It was crazy horse Neil Young who kicked hardest on Friday, however.

With hair and voice remarkably intact, the Sixties icon kept us rocking in the free world.

His two-hour set covered his many guises — from grizzly rock monster on Cinnamon Girl, to tree-hugging hippie on Mother Earth (Natural Anthem).

On Saturday, Spinal Tap took to the Pyramid stage “direct from hell”.

Sex Farm had a funky makeover, while Big Bottom featured notorious mooner Jarvis Cocker on bass.

It was Dizzee Rascal, however, who really turned things up to 11.

Coming to Glastonbury on the back of two number ones, the Londoner’s rise from left-field grime upstart to fully-fledged pop phenomenon is now complete, and his high-octane set was met with utter pandemonium.

New material such as Road Rage and Holiday sounded like future favourites, while Bonkers sent the crowd, well, bonkers.

A few more hits and he could be headlining next year’s festival.

Status Quo certainly won’t but the Essex stalwarts are great for a Sunday singalong.

While that fourth chord remains elusive, Whatever You Want and In The Army Now were rollicking rock’n’roll for the biggest of stages.

Over at one of the smaller ones, Glen Tillbrook provided a great Glastonbury moment by performing old Squeeze numbers backed by his young son on bongos. “The spirit of Glastonbury is still alive,” he said, “but particularly on the fringes.”

You’d have agreed too but headliners Blur enjoyed a Glastonbury moment of their own.

During the chant-like Tender, the crowd sang its refrain of “Love’s the greatest thing” and music’s power to connect people felt almost palpable.

A few more exciting signings next year, and Glastonbury will remain the festival to beat.

Related articles


Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.

 

Other reviews

[ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ]

Reader reviews (0)

 Add your review

No comments have so far been submitted.


Add your comment

 

Your email address will not be published

Terms and conditions make text area bigger You have  characters left.


 
 


 
 
London's Weather
Tonight
Light showers
9°c
Morning
Overcast
14°c
5 day forecast
 
 

Daily Mail Mail on Sunday Travel Mail This is Money Metro

Loot | Jobsite | Homes & property | London jobs | FindaProperty.com | Primelocation.com | Educate London | Holiday Villas