Guilfest

Went to Guilfest on Sat with some initial trepidation; didn't want mud like when i was in Glasto and dying for solid ground. The site is just near the station; none of this trapsing for miles. Great to be in the outdoors with food, sitting around. We saw Eddi Reader perform, the vaunted return of the Charlatans and Lightning Seeds. Tim Burgess is establishment; and the most indie looking person ever. Brian Wilson did a sit down set which left some youngsters with frowns. He is a troubled genius; his treatment from his dad is a story. 'Good Vibrations' was brilliant. Pendulum did a dance tent dj set as people sought sanctuary from the now teeming rain. Brothers festival cider is loopy juice. As you sleep you hear the rain against the tent. Sunrise in a field is beautiful and the tent later warmed up to toasty level. It was noisy till about 4.30am but then quiet for the next 4 hours.

Sun morning having reinforced provisions from the town centre and caught up with the Sunday papers we saw the Hamsters who have been knocking round for a while. They did one of my favourite songs Sharp Dressed Man by ZZ Top. Next up was..the Beat. Now with the new generation in the band and the material still relavent eg about bankers 'Bigshot, you want the whole lot'. Also Two Swords; those of anti-racism and violence. It was a top atmosphere in Guily and wanted to see the Wailers but had to go to a wedding reception in the plush Grosvenor, Park Lane. The outdoor Southern Exposure and suitably luxuriant wedding food made for good sleep.