I returned from the End Of The Road Festival which is held in North Dorset around 2 days ago and I still can't stop thinking about it.
Although, two weeks previous to this, I saw the best live set of my life. The band responsible was Rivers Cuomo and Weezer. They played a career defining set including Buddy Holly, Pork and Beans and Island In The Sun. Rivers entered the stage by kicking a football, the band were already well into a song and by this point you could tell he was in a jovial mood. Saying he was rampant would be an understatement. He was from one side of the stage to the other, climbing fences, pinching items from members of the crowd. He was 'on it'.
This was at Leeds Festival 2010 which also included Biffy Clyro, Yeasyer, Band Of Skulls, Blink-182, Mumford & Sons, Gaslight Anthem, Thrice, Limp Bizkit...oh and Guns 'n' Roses. The less said about them the better.
So, two weeks after attending my fourth Leeds Festival I was heading 300 miles down South to the End Of The Road Festival. I knew it was smaller (5,000 people), I knew it would be intimate and different to what I had experienced before. But it exceeded all my expectations and beyond.
Enjoying 'real' ale on straw bales is awesome. Chilling out whilst a band is playing in the next tent. But they weren't just tents erected for the sake of it. Each one had its own atmosphere and personal touches. The Tipi Tent (not sure if its supposed to be Tepee Tent?) which was carpeted and filled with straw bales and a bar at the end. Through the other end is where some bands play. The Tipi Tent is the smallest 'official' tent for bands on the line-up. For the chilled out quieter acts, people sit and enjoy. If the music picks up then so do we and get crunk, if you will.
Willy Mason was already in mid flow in the Tipi Tent which was a perfect start to the weekend. Allo' Darlin' then proceeded with their light and breezy banjo-loving folk. We insisted they play Fibbers at the end.
Thursday night is supposed to be the early night as everything closes down at 12 but the people stay about and just meet new people. Well, we did. There was just a great feeling and everyone just seemed happy. At Leeds there's a kind of war like mentality with wankers shouting inane bollocks for the sake of being a cunt.
I said that word a lot at Leeds, I don't think I said it once at EOTR (apart from to Dave).
On the Thursday we managed to lockdown our local and become familiar with the bar staff. A home away from home. Later this would allow us to receive 3 jager bombs for £3. Although credit must go to our new brummie friend.
Friday was all about the Big Top Stage and Modest Mouse/New Pornographers. First was Elliott Brood who were the biggest surprise of the weekend. Their first time over in the UK this punk band playing folk sings really got the day off to a fantastic start. They wanted to party and they wanted the crowd to party. Then Woodpigeon played a great set of music which has opened me up to some fantastic Scottish bands such as Meurasault, Eagleowl and Withered Hand. Their acoustic sensibilities were not lost on a large stage because they believed every word that left their mouth. Still peering at the front of the stage we then saw Cymbals Eat Guitars and they were a bundle of energy and nerves. But they could play and did wonders for their 2009 amazing album 'Why There Are Mountains'.
In between bands there is so much to do. Make music yourself, watch and be involved with a circus, go to the library or eat a crepe.
The headline act on the Friday was Modest Mouse. Now I had seen an underwhelming set from these at Leeds two weeks previous but they pulled all the right strings this time around. Isaac Brock had the passion which he had at Leeds but he seemed to enjoy it that little bit more as he compliments the intimate festival.
Usually that would be it but there was one more small band about to perform. New Pornographers. Again, not much was said, just a five album spanning set. Some of my favourite songs were played along with new album favourite, Crash years.
The night was then danced away via the lit up dance floor in the forest.
Saturday was all about Wintersleep. They were one of the main reasons for attending the festival. Phoscerensbt brought cool to the early afternoon and Citay massively impressed.
We stumbled upon Meursault/Woodpigeon/Eagleowl preforming completely accoutsically in the 'half living room'. Now This was magical. No affects, no amps just Neil Pennycock and some friends playing music they love. Roz from Blackpool joined in along with an over confident baby. Just sensational. I am now forever addicted to 'One Day This'll All Be Fields' by Meursault and ' by 'No Cigarettes' by Withered Hand (covered).
Positions were set for Wintersleep when we reconvened with our Thursday pals. Right at the front for one of Canada finest. They concentrated on New record 'new Inheritors' whilst briefly going back their third record 'Welcome To The Night Sky'. There could have been 24 or 1,000 people in the room, it wouldn't have mattered. They shone in the Devon night sky! Time to get pissed to Jarvis and Richard playing old '60's records.
Sunday morning started around 1pm with Dylan LeBlanc claiming to be cure for all the sore heads on the sunny day. Lazing about was the task of the day until The Antlers preceded two magnificent bands. I found The Antlers a little low key but did enjoy 'Two'.
Felice brothers know how to put on a show. Each member in their own little world with Farley Felice looking as though he was at a Jay-Z concert and not in folk/rock band. A fantastic set by the upstate New Yorkers.
The Sunday night headliners were long time favourites, Wilco. Jeff Tweedy voice was magnificent with every word sang with such passion and indignation. With eight eponymous albums to play with Wilco had the ingredients for a great rock show. And that's exactly what it was. I find it hard to believe I saw WILCO on a relatively small stage and such a beautiful setting. A truly magnificent show to end a (can't find superlative) festival...
...hang on, earlier in the day, whilst speaking to the Felice Brothers we were informed that they would be playing a secret show in the Tipi Tent.
The last Waltz. The Felice Brothers start playing at 12:30 on Sunday night with more energy than a sugar induced baby on Christmas morning. A great send off for the weekend with a stage invasion and watching one of the greatest bands on this planet today.
So, another festival is over. But it will be a long time until I forget this one (if ever!). The setting is beautiful, the people are cool and the music is sensational. A truly unforgettable experience.
Stephen 'Kokanez' Caines
Listening to whilst writing: Frightened Rabbit - Winter of Mixed Drinks/Mursault - One Day This'll All Be Fields/Xcerts - Young (Belane).
