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.