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Peronally I wish I hadn’t watched Blondie, yes she’s nigh on 78, but there’s
a time to hang your boots up, well from live performances anyway. It’s not
just that she sounded awful, the strutting was just too cringy. She was awesome
back in the day, this just wasn’t the day.Okay, Elton John wasn’t quite the standing on the piano exuberant artist of old
but I thought he was damned good and connected with the audience well. He’s one
of very few, maybe 2 (McCartney) who could pull that off at his age. He at least
realises it’s the end of a long road. Hats off to him.We went to see Blondie when they reformed. Seeing them ( well her) was very much on Mikes bucket list. But her voice was pretty bad even back then. INXS, even minus Hutchence, were actually better. Having said that I saw a documentary about Clem Burke a while back and hadn’t realised that, not only is he a world class drummer, but also an all round good guy, Never did the drugs that the rest of the band did and works with universities on health and fitness routines. Debbie really needed good backing singers. I was amazed at how good Elton John’s voice was but, after enjoying the first few songs I soon got bored. The Pet Shop Boys were much better last year. I haven’t found a new favourite band: something that Glastonbury always used to throw up. There was nothing I’ve seen this year that I want to rewatch over and over again like I did with PJ Harvey performing Let England Shake, or Nick Cave one year. Going back even further The Cure performing From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea ( I think that’s what it was called). Or The Levellers, still relatively unknown, wowing everyone. And as good today as they were then. Cat Stevens was superb! I’ve just had a message from a friend from primary school saying what memories listening to him brings back. Unless I hear anything better he was the highlight of this years Glastonbury. And I still like Tinariwen ( but still don’t know how to spell them….).
I really enjoyed Cat Stevens too.
Teaser and the Firecat was one of the first Albums I ever bought and I knew every word of all the old songs he sang yesterday. He looks amazing for his age and The Old School Yard certainly had the memories flooding back
I haven’t seen Blondie or Elton yet but nobody on this earth, (not even Elton) can top Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe as a headline act they were electric last year.Shame to hear that Blondie has deteriorated so much Graham, she really did have it all in her day but as you rightly say this is not the day anymore.
The only one of her era who can still rock the crowd in that way is Chrissie Hynde and she is still a class act.
JacThings turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...“Presenters aside (seriously, who likes them? They seem to be almost universally slated), the BBC does a good job covering it.”
Maybe my old (don’t watch it any more) ITVRacing mute button strategy might work inbetween live acts?
I’ve never tuned into Glastonbury, but reading the annual thread on it on TRF is something I always enjoy – many thanks to all contributors to it.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"In fairness, the live iPlayer coverage was presenter-free, as are the impressively extensive amount of full sets that are available so it’s not hard to avoid them. That’s a mark of good coverage I think, make it easy to avoid the presenters!
From the sofa I’d say overall it probably wasn’t as good this year as it has been. Agree with those who loved Pet Shop Boys from last year, there’s not much that will top that. It’s probably different if you actually go. Given that it sells out before much is even known about who is performing, you’re probably going to enjoy it anyway. I’d probably be more inclined to check out some of the smaller stages if I was there.
I have always been a bit ambivalent about Elton John. I recognise he is a very fine musician and you don’t stay at the top of a fickle and cut throat business for over 50 years by luck alone. But I always admired his work more than I liked it.
Last night, I wasn’t sure at first. He seemed to be shouting more than singing. But he more than won me over by the end. “Your Song” was beautiful, “Candle In The Wind” was genuinely moving and “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” was sublime.
I agree the presenters are annoying but they were right to pick up on just how much the event clearly meant to him. He milked the applause for sure but his thanks to the crowd and his fans for their support over the years was touching.
He was by far the best of the headline acts. If that is his last British show, it was a great way to bow out.
Ok, my Elton John story.
I was at The Independent and Independent On Sunday in the 1990s, and the IMO truly obnoxious Janet Street-Porter had been appointed Editor of the latter.
A young lady who was an aspiring freelance who used to sit next to me in the open-plan office was struggling for work at the time and agreed to take on the temp role as Street-Porter’s PA for the week as the regular one was on holiday (no doubt to recover from working for the vile Street-Porter).
Said young lady took a call one lunchtime and the caller said: “Tell Janet Elton called.”
“Elton who?” Said my young friend.
“ELTON JOHN!” he apparently screeched down the phone, furious at not being instantly recognised.
My young friend was later given a telling off by Street-Porter so severe it left her in tears, all because she didn’t recognise that **** John’s voice on the phone.
This gives an insight into a vile world I am so glad I am out of.
My lovely friend got over it and went on to be a successful travel journalist in national newspapers, so at least it’s a distasteful yarn with a happy ending.
But even so, F right off, John and good riddance, you old has been – you once made my beautiful friend cry!
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Steven Georgiou became Cat Stevens became Yusuf Islam: is he now Cat Stevens again?
‘Tea For The Tillerman’ and ‘Teaser And The Firecat’ were/are excellent: beautiful songs sung by a beautiful young man with a beautiful voice; and that’s how I like to remember them, him and it
To see and hear the old grey man reprise them 50+ years on would sadden this old grey man: ditto Debbie Harry, Chrissie Hynde and any other old ‘rock star’ from my gilded youth
The should have all done a Hendrix-Joplin-Morrison… and shuffled off when young, daft and pretty
Memories are made of that, harsh but true
Agree that Blondie were not great. Debbie Harry is only one year older than Elton John – but he has the luxury of sitting down at a piano. Ms Harry still trying to strut her stuff at her age was not a good look.
I suspect Glastonbury will be stung by the criticism this year and next year’s festival will have a more diverse set of headline acts. But nowadays the event does appeal more to people who want to watch Elton John instead of Queens Of The Stone Age.
Elton John looks more like Ena Sharples every year.
I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I've walked and I crawled on six crooked highwaysLana Del Rey’s cut short set is not available on BBC iplayer. The BBC says it has only put selected tracks on the service “with the agreement of the artist”.
Turns up half an hour late and won’t allow her set to be shown. Anyone might think she is a bit of a diva.
Disappointing.
‘But nowadays the event does appeal more to people who want to watch Elton John instead of Queens Of The Stone Age.’
Have to say if I’d been there it would have been QOTSA for me last night. That’s one of the ones I will be watching on catch up. If you wanted a spot anywhere near EJ it would have monopolised your whole day almost. Those at the front were there since the morning. It’s a festival, you’re there to see loads of bands, not camp out all day for one act!
I believe Josh Homme introduced himself as Elton John last night. A nice, self deprecating touch.
Haha, very good. I saw the last couple of tracks after EJ and there seemed to be a reasonable crowd, although a bit hard to tell in the dark. The ones who were there certainly had some energy, can only admire their stamina after three days.
I started watching The Pretenders last night, meaning to listen to just a couple of songs,but ended up watching the whole set. They were brilliant, and I’ve never been a great fan of their music. The guitarist is also in one of my favourite folk groups, The Rails. I’m going to have to find out which Pretenders albums some of those songs were on. I have watched a couple of documentaries about Christie Hynde recently. She is a force of nature: she wouldn’t like me as she despises meat eaters!
Have only watched a few sets on catch up, Artic Monkeys were ok on the Friday night, bit underwhelming, but the highlight so far is the Pretenders set, what a proper Rock Goddess Chrissie Hynde is, and she is unbelievably 71!!! Plus Johnny Marr joining them on guitar, fabulous.
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