Here's a short, personal anecdote. Your reporter was spending a pleasant Sunday afternoon wandering the Glastonbury site last year (very slowly, of course), when he decided it was time for some sustenance. Perching at a stall just by the side of The Other Stage, there was an interminable wait for what you'd think was a pretty basic item of food to produce. I admit, it was a sausage baguette - I'm not proud - but it seemed to take eons to arrive. During the wait, the most beautiful music imaginable floated across from the Jazz World Stage. A strange combination of emotional, almost operatic vocals and bizarre Mexican mariachi-style trumpets, it was utterly beguiling, so I sloshed over to the stage once my grub had turned up.
Fumbling for my Q programme, I discovered it was none other than Beirut - much applauded, but not given any airing at my house. The brainchild of Santa Fe's Zach Condon, Beirut's first recordings were two albums inspired by Balkan music, Gulag Orkestar and Lon Gisland, released in 2006. Relentless touring caused Condon to be hospitalised for exhaustion late last year, but Beirut came back with a new album last year, The Flying Club Cup, on the legendary 4AD label.
See the video for Elephant Gun here:
Have you see many great acts at Glastonbury, purely by chance? What did you stumble across? Let us know.
Posted by Mischa Pearlman at 12:52 PM | 29/04/2008 | 0 Comments
Eric Bibb, in the acoustic tent last year. Blew me a way. Having since checked out his back catalogue, I can't believe I'd never come across his music before. Going to see him in mid-June and will see him on the Jazz Stage this year.
Posted by doug at 10:39 AM | 30/04/2008 | Report Abuse
We saw Beans on Toast in the Leftfield on the Thursday. Such simple music, but great lyrics and got so many laughs from the audience. Set the tone of the festival
Posted by Paddy at 7:43 PM | 02/05/2008 | Report Abuse
Glen Tilbrook last year on the way back to the tent was pretty special, singing Labeled with Love.
And John Martyn a few years ago. I'd never heard of him before, and was actually trying to find some kicking rock and roll, or some beer.
I found the beer, but instead of Kicking Rock and Roll, got one of the most beautiful sounds I'd ever heard. It was Solid Air, and it was brilliant.
Posted by freddie at 8:45 PM | 02/05/2008 | Report Abuse
Captain in that beer tent thing by the Other Stage..... . Highlight of 2007 and they are on this year. Huzzah. See you there.
Posted by jockwink@yahoo.co.uk at 6:20 PM | 26/05/2008 | Report Abuse
Two of my highlights last year would have been in your tent!Goldspot teaching the crwod the words to Friday when the power went out and Duke Special! Only popped in for a pint on both occasions!
Posted by Ashley Griffiths at 10:43 PM | 15/06/2008 | Report Abuse
this topic for tests cars
Posted by Brireagmism at 1:36 AM | 23/07/2008 | Report Abuse
tests time mashine
Posted by gjoppers at 10:31 AM | 30/07/2008 | Report Abuse
Here's a short, personal anecdote. Your reporter was spending a pleasant Sunday afternoon wandering the Glastonbury site last year (very slowly, of course), when he decided it was time for some sustenance. Perching at a stall just by the side of The Other Stage, there was an interminable wait for what you'd think was a pretty basic item of food to produce. I admit, it was a sausage baguette - I'm not proud - but it seemed to take eons to arrive. During the wait, the most beautiful music imaginable floated across from the Jazz World Stage. A strange combination of emotional, almost operatic vocals and bizarre Mexican mariachi-style trumpets, it was utterly beguiling, so I sloshed over to the stage once my grub had turned up. 
