Cornbury Music Festival 2008

Another weekend another festival. Despite the fact the country is going down the shitter at a fast old rate of knots, at least we have one industry that appears to be thriving. Yes, UK music festivals are now big business and not a weekend seems to go by without some enterprising soul with a big field and a beer tent setting up shop with a few bands and a small Barclayloan.

Cornbury is yet another example of how to do a festival right, not too big, with an eclectic line-up set amidst a lovely country park and with relatively clean amenities (that's toilets to you and me) and lots of things to do when the band who are on are shite ( Beverley Knight i mean you!), namely a funfair, cd stalls, people selling good quality clothes, ditto the food, RESPECT! to the homemade pie stall!.......minus 2 points though to the lady who sold me some dodgy jerk chicken.

The event is organized by that fine monthly music mag 'The Word' and overseen by nice bloke personified Mark Ellen. Richard Allinson from BBC radio two opened proceedings with a hearty welcome to all and sundry and then introduced the opening act......the elfin, Maria Llet, who appeared to be overwhelmed by her debut on the main stage, her nervousness was apparent through-out, but she did put in a likeable set of gentle girlie rock. Iwon't be too harsh as she had a lovely pair of legs (much like my own, but less hairy). Much more fun ( although with uglier legs) were eighties pop ska legends from the two tone era, The Beat, Brummie legends whose infectious rhythms proved irresistable. Their original vocalist Dave Wakeling is no longer with them but Ranking Roger more than compensated for his absence. Of course everyone wanted mirror in the bathroom which was an undeniable treat, but they do have a large number of nearly hits that are almost equal to their most famous number.

Mid afternoon saw the arrival ofthe glorious Half Man Half Biscuit, fine purveyors of shambolic do it yourself punkery and sporting the funniest lyrics this side of the Mersey. We were treated to fine renditions of 23 years tending the wrong grave, blue badge abuser,running order squabble fest and the immortal joy division oven gloves amongst others....and of course they predictably finished with a cracking version of Trumpton riots.

By the time the sartorial dandy that is Eric Bibb took the stage, the storm clouds were gathering (well it is UKsummertime after all) ..regardless, Eric delivered an exquisitely played set of acoustic blues. Amid the brewing hurricane and the ominously sized rain clouds Carbon Silicone fronted by ex Clash guitarist Mick Jones and his best mate, the frighteningly healthy looking Tony James (Sigue Sigue Sputnik, Generation X) hit the stage, they were greeted like royalty and promptly blew us all away with a set of gritty punk, mainly tracks from their proper debut album The Last Post. It would have been so easy for Mick to win everyone over by playing old Clash numbers, but no, he stuck to his guns and went with all new stuff and such was the quality of their new material they didn't have to resort to the back catalogue. To see the big grins on all their faces it was evident that they were having as much fun as we were. Good on yer lads.

Why Nick Lowe isn't a household name i'll never know. A songwriter of great panache and with an ear for a great tune he gave us a rivetting set of classy self penned tunes that in another universe would see him lauded as a God. Whats so funny about peace love and understanding is his masterpiece and tonight it sounded magnificent. Sod Paul Simon, go on Nick give us another! But no it wasn't to be, this all too rare appearance was far too short but wonderful nevertheless.

The Bangles despite being nearly as old as the Stones remain beautiful. Susannah Hoffs in particular brought out the Benny Hill in most of the males in the audience (myself included) and of course there was much silly dancing when they did Walk like an Egyptian. The second half of the festival belonged to the weather but it didn't ruin our time there, we fought back with good vibes from ... Crowded house, K.T. Tunstall, the incredible Joe Bonamassa and the aforementioned Paul Simon - all who helped lift our (damp) spirits.

So with memories of psychotic looking morris men on mobiles, Toots and the Maytals, the Splot Brothers with the amazing George on keyboards, middle aged women dancing awkwardly, large numbers of teenage fairies, lots of Hobgoblin beer, clean toilets and the obligatory Pimms bus, we say farewell to yet another memorable festival.

Written by: John Haylock