AGENT2 HAD A FIELD DAY

LAST WEEKEND SAW THE SAHARA DESERT DUSTY VICTORIA PARK IN EAST LONDON HOST THIS YEAR’S FIELD DAY. PEOPLE WERE OUT IN THEIR DENIM AND SUN HATS BRAVING BEING BURNT IN THE OPEN MEADOW. A HORIZON OF CHECKED SHIRTS MET YOU AS YOU WALKED IN AND OUT OF TENTS FOR SOME SHADE AND SOMEONE TO DRINK YOUR BEER WITHOUT GETTING A MOUTHFUL OF DUST AND STRAW. JENNY BUTLER OF AGENT2 MAGAZINE LOOKS AT A RUNDOWN OF THE BEST BANDS ON OFFER AND ALL THE DAY HAD TO OFFER.

When I got through the rather lengthy ticket queue just to get into another queue to get in the cider was really about to hit on. A plethora of fairground shenanigans were all around and I couldn’t help but be a little tempted by the coconut shys. From the corner of my eye I could see a number of crazy trendies having a go at a sack race. Of course this was no match for the skinny jean wearing boys, who were use to feeling restricted in their every day movements.

The first band that caught my eye was Amiina at the Village Mentality Tent. I could hear the familiar sound of violins, plus it was the first tent as you entered the festival. A chilled way to start the day, the use of a saw to create a haunting whistle was pleasing so early on in a hot day.

The early part of the day is generally spent spiralling in and out of tents trying to squeeze in as many acts as possible. As I went winding in to the Adventures in the Beetroot field tent to see Atlas Sounds, one of the bands I was desperate to see I could hear sound problems from the outset. Riddled with sound issues, the muffled vocals and crumpled instruments made this brilliant band sound terrible in comparison to their great album.

The main stage held host to a number of quality acts. Lightspeed Champion got the crowd dancing in the 4 o’clock heat. His raw energy and simple set up was perfect. By far the best band of the day was The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. It was Jay-Z with trumpets, synchronised moves and rippled six packs. If you haven’t heard of them this Chicago based 9 -piece is something special. Mix in the occasional rap and you have a mixture of soulful hip hop.

As night time fell the stage was lit for Phoenix. Having seen this band back in the Camden Roundhouse six months ago I didn’t rate them and went to see them, as most people, because they were headlining. Although they have improved and some of their songs are catchy, they are nothing more than a band of the moment. They were a light bite after some of the days more complicated and more musically capable bands, but they were nothing special. But, for a brief moment as least, they got my feet dancing like a cat on a hot tin roof.

Words Jennifer Butler  Images Professor Nerdester