Going APE

After various disastrous outings to East London's Victoria Park for Field Day, and therefore swearing never to attend it again, this year I'm either on for two unexpectedly great and relaxing day festivals or in for a double whammy. Field Day has been moved closer to me at Brockwell Park and Viccy Park is hosting the new All Points East. With the attraction of LCD SS fully out of retirement I can't resist a trip out east (OK, I do cycle through Viccy Park every day and watched the fencing and stages go up this week) and as it's Simon's birthday celebration I'm risking FD again. So first off is APE on Friday 25th. Ramsay and Jo arrive at lunchtime and after a couple of G&Ts and a lovely warm filling lentil shepherds pie (thanks Debs) we set to work with hypodermic needles and a glue gun for the utterly ingenious water bottle water replacement with vodka and gin replacement program which isn't as seedy as it sounds. The neighbour opposite seemed intrigued and I was worried the NSPCC would be knocking as we enlisted L-R's assistance. And we're off. Sun's shining and it's a lovely day for a festival. The start is not auspicious as my crotch is sniffed by a dog and I'm pulled over by security and cops. I think it recognised my odour from last time it pulled me over. Stupid animals. Or maybe my 2nd hand jeans (not washed yet) belonged to a dealer. As an aside it also explains my slightly itchy crotch which I put down to overheating whilst cycling. Probably too much information there but please read on as that's the last of my medical conditions. Anyway this time it's not a full strip search but a quick frisk down and after arguing about the guy writing down my name (if you don't write it down then you won't get into the festival - not sure about the logic in that but hey where's the logic in any drug laws) I'm released into the wild (right side of the fence this time) and hook up with my buddies at the Hookworms. To be honest I could've had a few grams of crack in one boot and a load of skunk in the other cos they didn't even get me to take them off. At least this time I didn't have some ugly effing copper looking up me back passage.

Hookworms are worth the hassle and regale us with a great set of dancy psychie verging from rock to electronic dance with a lot of twiddling thrown in for free to excellent effect. As Ramsay says, they're more Hawkwind than anyone else out there and as that's my normal lazy comparator I'll go with it. If you like Hawkwind then you'll like Hookworms. They even toyed with unleashing a sonic attack going into space is deep but pulled back at the last. A great start. We then chill out at a table mixing our hypodermically filled bottles with chilled mixers and ice thrown in whilst listening to Young Fathers who are pretty good to listen afar but hardly got us rushing towards them. Next we try Vessels but there's a queue and I hate queues so Debs and I leave Ramsay and Jo to support the Leeds band. Unfortunately we then don't see our mates for the rest of the day which is a real shame. Ah well. Debs and I try out the Despacio stage which is meant to be James Murphy with 2ManyDJs and I guess it was the latter on then. Good dancy vibe but not Debbie's cup of tea. But next up is right up her street and we're soon jigging about to a fine and energetic set by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. We enjoy a high powered rock and roll set which is definitely american and quite possibly punky. I guess it's high powered indie. Great front woman and the encore is a ticker tape storm which is a great replacement for the forecast lightning storm we're due sometime soon. After all that excitement we have a little rest soaking up the last of the day's sun, pop back to Despacio and our man with a mixer van. We've caught a couple of other acts along the way but not worth mentioning, OK, I can't remember who they were or what they sounded like except that Glass Animals sounded pretty good. Then we're off to see the headliner. LCD Soundsystem always pump out a banging set and we're not disappointed. The start is slow and if I remember rightly a few new tunes which are a little more laid back than some of the earlier barnstormers but excellent all the same indeed I was a little wary about what the new album would be like live but sounded great. Debbie and I push down the front left which is the usual meeting spot but unable to see our mates, these damnably tall youngsters, we retreat to a bit of space which seems to be the VDA and we dance our socks off. Well, shoes at least in Deb's case. I think there was a bit of Chic thrown in there at one point reminding me of many years ago dancing to all out disco funk when James Murphy DJed Fabric. He's definitely got good taste that man. The finale is a couple of big numbers that gets the old man dancing like a git (me, not JM). A last hoorah as soon the LCDs are off. Don't retire again James. I can't afford another retirement DVD.

After not being able to get hold of Ramsay and Jo all night we eventually touch base (and I get Julia's texts) and meet in a pub on the way to Mile End tube. Better to pass a couple of drinks winding down in a civilised fashion rather than brave the Central Line crowds from APE and the Rolling Stones who have played the Olympic Park. We try to change onto the Northern Line at Bank and cos it's night time can't but it's a good excuse to be driven across the Thames and through South London albeit an expensive one. A night cap caps off a wonderful day, with vegan pizza! Thanks for joining us Ramsay and Jo. Definitely seriously consider this festival for next year. I guess a brisk frisk in a police tent is worth the hassle. Same time same place next year you stupid mutt. BTW the VDA TLA is Vigorous Dance Area.

Breaking Bad 

This is serious!

Eyes shut as ever

Hookworms

 

Ramsay under the delusion he's watching Judas Priest

Yeah...

Yeah Yeahs!

 

Slightly dodgy dancing as can be viewed on line google Kawala. This is NOT the VDA but when for some reason we walked to the back of the audience (quick getaway?) and ended up next to the bins.

I want to go to Huddersfield

There’s a good reason for the title to be the start of Exploited’s Sex & Violence as, apart from it being the only other words in the song except for I Like, it’s the last UK gig that The Sex Pistols played. If you discount the Finsbury Park reunion which was the only time I saw them. Obviously with original bassist and not Sid who was at Huddersfield playing a Xmas Day gig for striking firemen. Remember the Green Goddesses. Goddesses my arse. That’s the music part of the missive.

Cycling bit. I tightened all me spokes on the back wheel, thereby getting rid of the annoying clinky noise, and then trued it so didn’t wobble (the tightening put it right out) which I was very impressed with if I say so myself. Dark art me arse. Admittedly it does have a slight radial bulge which I’ll have to sort out this weekend but even so…

The main bit is about footie. Ramsay got tickets to go see Arsene’s last game against Huddersfield. Very exciting at the time of offering last weekend as I was looking forward to being in the Gooners end and Ramsay was looking forward to seeing his Yorkshire rivals relegated. As it turns out we’re in the Huddersfield end and they are already safe.

The Sunday morning train has three bullshitting bigoted Arsenal fans in front of me. It’s crowded but at a stop I give up my seat so an old couple can sit together. Accidentally leaving my anarchist activist mag in the seat tray. I hope they read it. Out loud to the twats in front. Late into Leeds and the train to Huddersfield is as crowded as the Northern line with some entertaining Gooner vs Terrier banter. We enjoy a couple of swift ones in the blazing sun. Holidays in the Sun? Come to Huddersfield! After parting money with an animal sanctuary collection vegan we walk to the stadium. There’s no statue of Herbert Chapman maybe cos he deserted Huddersfield for Arsenal for double salary so nothing's changed since 1920s. There was one of local boy Harold Wilson in the main square tho. Without pipe. In the ground it’s a real party atmosphere with free T shirt and clapper sporting the crests of the two clubs and their managers on the other side. Very nice touch Huddersfield. Wenger walks to The Arsenal faithful beforehand which unfortunately is the other end too us. He gets a standing ovation from the entire crowd. Another nice touch. The game is end of term fare but end to end and exciting enough. On 22 minutes the whole ground starts the There’s Only One Arsene Wenger chant which is nice but around us it morphs into There’s only one David Wagner. Fair enough I guess although I’m sure there’s more with that name than Arsene Wenger. Mind you we used to sing There’s Only One Alan Smith – ironically as about 10% of those singing were probably called that back in the 80s. I digress. The scrappy game continues but the Yorkshiremen (well, those who play for a Yorkshire club) look resilient and look pretty damn good to Ramsay who’s used to Championship fare. The Arsenal goal looked scrappy and a bit lucky but watching on MOTD afterwards it was in fact a beautiful and typical Wenger team move opening up the defence with pin point passing. Lovely that the longest serving first team regular made the assist and Arsene’s last signing tapped it in. The Beautiful Game will never be the same. A couple of light planes go overhead trailing Merci Wenger banners. Must’ve been nicer to see than the Wenger Out planes earlier in the season. I like to think that the same folk coughed up the dosh to pay for it. Just before half time a local player walks around the stands causing chaos and more selfies to be taken than are taken at the Eiffel Tower.The Terriers have a few chances in the 2^nd half to be honest better than us and they hit the cross bar late on. Maybe 3 points flattered us but I don’t think most of the stadium resented Wenger winning his last match and getting his first away points of 2018 which is why he needed to go. Anyway, we can be sentimental today. Tannoy reminds us that entering the field of play after the final whistle is illegal but of course as it’s blown all on the pitch sprint to the tunnel whilst the inevitable pitch invasion goes into full flow. Classic moments of people slipping up on the grass and players being mobbed. We decide to leave as we’re not celebrating with the Gooners opposite, as we pass them I think they’re being kept inside so they’re singing TOOAW over and over. We get a train straight away to Leeds then as the London one is soon after we get in and I saw Ramsay 5 days ago and will in 12 days time we don't go for a last drink. It’s been a long and sentimental day. Like many other Arsenal fans I’ve spoken to I felt a personal sense of guilt when he announced his resignation because I wanted him to leave. Read that how you will. On the train I read an interestingly strange and thought provoking book which you can read my further musings on here but watch out for the spoilers (https://psibooked.blogspot.co.uk/2018/05/south-of-border-west-of-sun-haruki.html). Soon enough it’s lovely to be home welcomed with a hearty meal.

THANKS FOR THE TICKETS RAMSAY. YOU ARE A STAR. A MOMENT I WILL NEVER FORGET. AMONGST OTHERS SPENT WITH YOU.

If it's always this sunny - I Want To Go To Huddersfield

Me and Harold in sunny Huddersfield

Ramsay's pic (none of mine came out for some reason). The Boss is down there. Somewhere. Au revoir Arsene. Merci beacoup.

Alive at Leeds, just

Another year another spring visit to my second home in Yorkshire. Ramsay and Jo, in case you didn't realise I have squatters rights. Driven back to Otley by my chauffeur Mr Palmer in new sporty car eschewing some indie band so that I can watch Arsene's last game in Europe (at least with The Arsenal). We lost. At least Dulwich Hamlet won and are into the final play off [stop press. they are promoted into the heady heights that Bath City enjoy]. Thanks for accommodating me Ramsay. After a couple more pints in empty pubs (I guess it is Thursday before a big weekend) we roll home. Shortly afterwards Jo rolls home too.

Friday sees the 2nd day of le Tour de Yorkshire. I cycle to Pool to have a beer at Ramsay's parents and then watch the women start the daunting climb of the Cote de Old Pool Bank. Then I race back to Otley but of course don't beat the women to Ilkley despite them having to tackle the legendary Cow and Calf. For my 20 minute 5 mile effort see below and https://www.strava.com/activities/1548866627

The leaders on the foothills of Old Pool Bank

The Peleton

My Strrava

After a pleasant afternoon with Jo I walk up from Otley to the top of Old Pool Bank, hot enough walking the cyclists must be wishing for the usual British Yorkshire weather, where the throng on the summit are kept off the wrong side of the road (as if there is one) by power mad stewards and coppers. Little less zealous just down the hill and as the leading riders fly up and the stragglers struggle up I get a few good shots including Cav who I seem to photograph often and not intentionally. Then it’s a half hour wait for the roads to open and bus into Leeds. Ramsay is coming back from a beer festival so I chill out on a grassy knoll before we hit the Wardrobe and lig with the movers and shakers of the Leeds music scene. First we see are OUR GIRL who are a pretty damn good way to start the weekend’s festivities with the 3 piece serving up quirky indie reminiscent of Courtney Barnett in both style and content. Worth another listen definitely. Next is CHELOU (pretty sure of that) who are a 2 piece with spacey guitar over alternating real and digital drumming XX stylee. By this time Jon and Scottie have arrived from the West Country and we’re whisked back to Otley where it’s hugs all round with Jo and we indulge in a few drinks ending with French vodka which we really didn’t need but hey it’s good practice for tomorrow.

The leaders nearing the top of Cote de Old Pool Bank

And into the crowds

Cav along with the struggling stragglers

Saturday and yep definitely didn’t need that last drink but we’re all up and out to pick up Malcolm en route to the bus station and X84ing into Leeds. Starting off the day with an early midday start to see KOYO who play a great pulsatingly rocked out veering into the psychedelic hinterlands set ending with a free form psych rock jazz crossover with the added bonus of a sax player. After a climatic ending we chat to Poppy and Tom (drummer) and I tell him it was a lot better than when I saw them on Tuesday and he agrees that the sound was crap then. Better reception than when I gave my opinion of Toy, to Toy, up at the Crows Nest but that belongs to another story. After that we hot foot it to the justifiably legendary Nation of Shopkeepers to catch another near family connection, well, tenuously by parents being close friends, to see our hero Daniel and his band KAWALA. I was a little worried that they’d only have 6 middle aged men dancing badly (check out my half second of fame in previous blog link to video!) as kids were hardly going to be up and about at 1pm regardless of who’s playing but the place is rammed. I manage to wish Daniel good luck and then chat with girlfriend’s dad and mates (thank god someone else of my generation is there) and are then treated to a great set of jangly beat driven songs. Great vocals and guitars. Tight bass and drums. Audience interaction between songs – it should be compulsory for bands to make dodgy jokes between songs instead of studiously retuning their instruments and looking serious, not that your joikes are dodgy Daniel! – brings us closer and they go down extremely well. Veering from indie with a nice sprinkling of poppiness, just enough, to an African / Carribbean beat with that distinctive guitar sound very appropriate to the weather outside and with a stripped down guitar and vocals only number thrown in for free in an unplugged style. Gets us in the mood for the rest of the day. Thanks Daniel and friends. Apologies to both bands that my dodgy camera phone didn't get any pics worth showing.

Start of the day - we didn't all stay together

At this point Ramsay and Jo hop in a cab to go see someone ages away whilst a few of us wander towards somewhere getting distracted by firstly the Millenium Square le Tour fan zone with dodgy Bradford cover band and then distracted by the Fenton for a drink (afterwards: Ramsay “I didn’t know they had any bands on there”; me “they didn’t we played table football”; stunned silence due to incomprehension). Very pleasant and existential as we drew as only even number of balls. Anyways we then catch the fabulously laid back, wittery, whilst demanding SUPERORGANISM who deliver an excellently quirky set with brilliantly crazy background graphics and a dancy not too poppy not too anthemic up beat hands in the air yeah! (under instruction and later dancing like shrimps) songs the nearest being Go! Team for a lazy comparison. We saw Rams and Jo for a while in the gig but they leave early. Sunning ourselves outside Malcolm and I catch up with lives, lig with Daniel and his mates as they pass and find Jon and Scottie. Wander further out of Leeds we flake at the Library Lending Room where the unpromisingly named VUNDERBAR are on and decide to give them a shot. Very good call as they are a fine Boston Rock and Roll band who are shit hot on their instruments and chat with us about ridiculous things (we’re on a roll with audience participation and dodgy jokes). Proper high energy rock jumping across the pre and post punk years and dipping back into the 70s . All at the same time. Fierce guitar solos at times like the pumping action of Wilko Johnson. Great. Come back soon.

My preferred position. Left Back. In the changing room.

Half of Superorganism without plastic macs

And the other half including diminutive but big lead singer

Straight Outta Boston

Yay!! It’s Brudenell time and I’m feverishly anticipating their new room. By this time it’s swelteringly hot and possibly the best May Day Bank Holiday since workers revolted and May Day began. Hyde Park (Leeds version) is covered in uncovered flesh with the indigenous population trying their best to get sunburnt and although tempted we’ve got more important things to do than sit around drinking in the sun. Having reached the Brudenell we get the pints in and sit around outside in the glorious sunshine boozing. We’re tempted inside by the amusingly named PIP BLOM (later I ask them where the weird name came from, embarrassingly I’m not it’s the name of the lead singer (they’re from Amsterdam) so that’s another band I’ve insulted. The conversation is stopped short). Anyway that’s in the future. For now they’re playing a great set of late 80s heavy indie with a great drummer and bassist. Although great they’re the sort of band who you’d buy the single rather than spend your hard earned on the album. Then we spend the next couple of hours hanging out in the sun chatting and drinking. I think I caught the howl and the hum when at the bar but can’t be sure. Malcolm and I are left which is no bad thing (at least for me – you can ask him) and we get a real bonus in the shape of STELLA DONNELLY from Australia who plays a big guitar, both sound and dimensions, singing about gritty subjects such as hating her old boss (get over it girl) but soon moving onto sexual assault (ignore last parenthesis). It’s sort of first album Tracey Thorn (and that is a comparison that I don’t make lightly as that is a top ten album of all time) with a jokier (OK not all songs) side and Stella entertains immensely. As I say, a real bonus. Vocals are intense, both lyrics and sound, which at times brings tears to the eyes n a wistful otherworldliness sort of way. Brilliant. Next we pop next door to see SUZI WU and her digital drummer and part time synth player Otto. I love her diverse urban sound with cutting lyrics almost Ian Dury-ish in the poeticness (I read that she was compared to him and I agree) but all too soon she’s off. Malcolm’s not so sold but has the decency to say he loved the set when we chat to her outside I dread to think what I’d’ve said if I didn’t like her. Then it’s BOY AZOOGA who are a decent enough indie band.

Pip Blom

A Stella performance

An entertainer despite technical difficulties with guitar (not shown)

Suzi and Otto (if I remember rightly)

Sunset from the Brudenell taxi place

To be honest the Resplendent Pale Ale or whatever it's called and the sun make our last band a little hazy and we taxi back into Leeds as Malcolm’s going to church and I’m reuniting with my posse at YAK who deliver a blisteringly energetic set complete with moshing (yes, I was somehow dragged into it kicking and screaming – I think it may been Poppy and the Koyo  band members). We have the obligatory post post punk now rediscovered rock band member crowd surfing (the singer guitarist who carried on playing) and a jolly good time was had by all. We decide to go for THE HORRORS as the late night clash of bands decision. It’s in an old church which suits them well. Start is dodgy sound wise but it improves and as we’re at the front we witness a great dancy rock infused set that I thoroughly enjoy. Good choice Ramsay and Jo. Next up to Lending Room for another bout of hard core thrashiness courtesy of AVALANCHE PARTY with the singer dodging through the audience and ending up on the bar. OK, only a short distance but looked good. We get taxis back into town which for me is fairly taxing as everyone who I’m with have non working Uber and no taxis are free. Chatting to Ramsay’s work mates is a bit odd what with the Korean getting involved but eventually the two of us left get a cab and end up at the Wardrobe and catch up with the rest for a few hours of dancing to indie (bet I look good on the dance floor), classic indie rave tunes and other miscellaneous stuff. At 3 we’re moved on upstairs where a few hard core can’t stop their feet and I chat nonsense to anyone who will listen and roll rollups for spaced out girls who are dexterously challenged across the street on smokers row where it's all smiles where you from and what's your story, By 4 the place is winding down and we wander around the bus station area eventually getting a cab big enough for the 5 of us (Malcolm caught the last bus back with the family ticket) and on the way back home I’m thinking how much the half moon is lighting up the countryside. Of course it’s the sun and by the time we’re back it’s daylight. We crash and surprisingly I fall fast asleep.

Yakkity Yak

The Horrors with stain glass behind

The Horrors from side of stge

Avalanche Party - note singer guitarist off stage

Sunday is the day after with little sleep but as it’s late morning we can’t get back to sleep. We hang out in the scorching sun in the Palmer’s beautiful back garden and I watch le Tour de Yorkshire on telly. Lunch is Jo’s Fabulous Lentil Stuffed Red Peppers and then we’re off into Otley and a few hundred yards up the Chevin Road to cheer on le Tour as it passes by. After that amazing excitement (I'm not being sarcastic) we say farewell to Jon and Scottie and then it’s round to Malcolm and Lisa’s for her Birthday Pizza Party with the usual suspects out in force. It’s lovely to catch up with them in the sun. After a few hours the restorative effect of rhubarb steeped gin is giving way to the soporific effect of Leffe and a chilly night air. Back home to bed. A much better sleep tho not 100% but it’ll do. After breakfast and sunning (what a weekend!) it’s fond farewells and I’m on the train back to the Big Smoke and home which I’m greatly anticipating as I write this on the packed train.

The crowd

Rossetto in front and stays there to win the stage

The rest

Starting to feel the Cote de Otley Chevin

Eats Everything

Free gig at a new venue with Poppy’s squeeze Tom as the headlining drummer. I meet Pete in the pub and after a couple of vegan burgers (one each) Nick turns up, long time no see, and he goes for the same. I see Tom at the bar and have a quick chat.

Drummer Eats Everything. First up are VEINS (I think – that’s what the poster says with times in the venue). The sound isn’t great and the drummer drowns out most things that you can hear. The music is not particularly interesting although the bassist is good. Or at least a lot better than me. They are a little bit BSP anthemic but when they play a dodgy gig as they have been known to do.

Echo Eats Everything. Next up are MOHIT (I don’t think they’re Veins). They are very good with a ridiculous amount of echo on both guitar and vocals. Which is a problem when the singer’s chatting the punters as you can’t understand a word but which is very good when he’s playing songs. Maybe the echo but they have a surfy psychedelic Floydy sound to them. The singer guitarist is in shorts so maybe he’s also heavily influenced by the Beach Boys. Not sure they wore shorts at gigs but this guy looked set for summer despite our predicted heatwave in London not appearing. The drummer was excellent really showing off how to vary a beat. Bassist reminded me a little of Norman Watt-Roy with a rocky but very funky rhythm which got a fair few feet shifting about and possibly a few lifting off the floor. Guitar varied from sharp strumming to out there psych and touched on hell for leatherness. Great stuff. Pete’s off after this due to tiredness brought on by overexcitement abroad over the weekend.

Noise Eats Everything. Our headliners and KOYO. They have a pychedelic heavy rock sound with some solid songs. Unfortunately the Curse of the Sounds that pestered the first band has hit again and the general noise drowns out the undoubtedly good musicians. Shame. I don’t think it was just me as Nick thought the same and the band did seem to spend a lot of time gesticulating at the mixing desk to push up or down monitors. Hopefully will be better this coming weekend at Live at Leeds. We sneak out before the end as it’s getting late and we both have a cross London journey . Pleasant tube back with Nick where we properly catch up.

Possibly Veins

Probably Mohit

Definitely Koyo