Leeds Festival 2009

After months and months of contemplating bands, set lists, fellow goers and how many cereal bars to take another seminal Leeds Festival is over.

Reality is a bitch!

This year was all about the early bird. Acres and acres to choose from for pitching the perfect camp-site. We weren't quite upper-class but the Green camp-site allowed us to live in a little camping luxury. Just the two of us arrived on the Wednesday with the rest (minus a few jessies)of the gang joining us on Thursday.

No music on Wednesday night so we got talking the the 'Wakey' lads who knew their bands and also knew how to have a good time. So, after shining lights in the faces of people, talking absolute rubbish for hours we decided to hit our uncomfortable tents at 5.15am.

Thursday was here after 1 hour and 45 minutes half sleep but sleep is not needed for the next few days as I will be living off adrenaline and beer.

The rest of the crew turned with their tents already pitched and the drink starts to flow and abuse of friend continues. I caught the last few songs of Airship who were just as good as when I saw them at the Duchess. Bear Hands were enjoyable but didn't play the song I wanted them to play so we left.

Friday arrived and the music will commence. First up on the main stage was Mariachi El Bronx who opened up the festival in great form. A surprisingly enjoyable set from Fightstar was watched via 'Moon Base Alpha'.

A quick skip and a hop over to the NME/Radio 1 tent to watch an energetic and enjoyable Metric. The Courteeners didn't seem right on the main stage and were politely ignored by myself. Enter Shikari surprisingly filled the stage well and played a high tempo set which included favourite 'Juggernauts'.

Then it was time for one of my all-time favourite bands. Rival Schools were on in the Lock Up Stage and they were better than what I was expecting and I was expecting a lot from these guys. Walter Schreifels was incredibly relaxed on stage and seemed to be having the time of his life, as was I. They played most tracks from their 2001 eponymous albums 'United By Fate' along with some great sounding new songs.

Next up was Maximo Park who did not disappoint in any way. I have never been a massive fan of Prodigy so we decided to take a walk and we stumbled across the best find of the weekend. Punch & The Apostles were playing to 30 people max but every single one of them were having a great time. This rock-jazz-alternative-reggae ramshackle of a band made no sense whatsoever which allowed us to rip the muddy dance-floor up even more.

The one of the few bands I was looking forward to all weekend was the Arctic Monkeys. I honestly believe they have released one of the best albums of the last 20 years. I am a massive fan. The band turned up on stage with the potential of being heroes but they crashed and burned. Alex Turner was half cut they played a very subdued set mainly consisting of new material. A great disappointment.

Spirits were not dampened though, it gave the impetuous to find something else special. Saturday did not disappoint. I was pretty much perched at the front of the Festival Republic stage for half the day. We got there just in time to see the last couple songs from Titus Andronicus who's lead man was fashioning a beard not too dissimilar from Mark 'E' Everett's.

The next four bands were sensational:

The X X - Light electronic Jesus and Mary Chain-esque performance from the Londoners. The drum machine was brilliant as all the band were pretty much in a straight line at the front of the stage.

The Joy Formidable - Missing them twice in the year in York was more than made up by this tight performance. There is no sexier thing than a beautiful female with a guitar.

Grammatics - Owen Brinleys voice is sweet and high at times then screaming as if he could be in Slipknot. 'Murderer' was a highlight.

Broken Records - Similar to Okkervil River in their performance, Broken Records performed tracks from their album 'Until The Earth Begins To Part' with passion and vigour.

Vampire Weekend brought the sun with them and performed a few new ones. The Gaslight Anthem did not disappoint in any way. Brian Fallon was very sincere and appreciated the crowds delight.

Radiohead entered the main stage which looked spectacular with light columns coming down. If I was a die hard fan I would have thought this was the greatest thing on earth, don't get me wrong, they were fantastic but the songs started to go over my head. I was a bit of a Radiohead whore and just wanted the hits.

Day three was once again all about the morning. Kicking off with Dananananaykroyd who were...mental mother fuckers. They played my favourite 'Black Wax' and got the crowd to do something a little different. No wall of death but a wall of hugs. Their album 'Hey Everyone!' is one I highly recommend. Manchester Orchestra were up next and to say I was excited about them was an understatement. Their last two albums have been seminal and their rock roots and his soft but loud voice just sounds fantastic. They played a very good set but Andy Hulls guitar wouldn't tune and I believe that they had to cut the set by a couple of songs. After that I was pretty much stuck at Moon Base Alpha for Alexisonfire and New Found Glory.

It was time to get involved for Funeral For A Friend in memory of the Big Dog has been along my side all the FFAF gigs I have been to (they are now my most seen band). They once again were fantastic, opening with new song 'Wrench' and finishing with 'Oblivion'. Truly sensational. I watched Fall Out Boy a little closer but I have never been a massive fan. Although they did do a cover of Journey's 'Don't Stop Believin'.

I decided to have a nap whilst punk outfit Bouncing Souls were in the middle of their show and I still don't know how managed that. That morning I was handing out a barrage of insult the Kaiser Chiefs way regardless of what anyone else thought. I then managed to watch them from afar and enjoyed them a little. Very good live but I still despise them.

Then the last band of my weekend was Kings Of Leon who, to my delight did play songs from all four albums. I was worried that they would play a hit laden show from their latest release. I have never danced so much outside and it was a great show. Caleb though did go on a bit too much about how we are amazing. I mean I already knew this, I didn't need a member of KOL to tell me.

So another year is over of fantastic music, truly ace friends and sligtly warm beer. Next year though there will be people there who couldn't attend. Well I'm going... I have my ticket on order already.

Much love for Leeds Festival 2009

Stephen 'Kokanez' Caines