This year I was invited to the ATP’s The Nightmare Before Christmas festival at Butlins in Minehead, or as I read on a recent tweet “the bearded guy in Skinny jeans and trapper hat festival". I have always wanted to go but for one reason or another have never made it to any of the events over the last ten years.
I can honestly say that I am gutted that this was my first one because it was right up my street. Known for its alternative approach to a music festival, it takes over the out of season holiday camp with a single band or artists choice of music. This year was a special tenth year celebration and is being held over ten days. The festival kicked off with a long weekend curated by My Bloody Valentine then you have the opportunity to stay for the in between days to watch various bands playing in the smallest venue and to 100 or so people watching, starting up again on Friday for another long weekend with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Mudhoney and Sunn O))) to name a few of the fortyish bands playing.
My highlights of the last weekend was the good banter in the chalet and lovely vegetarian food cooked up by Karen, we had a good crew of ATP buddies including Josh and myself, Lee, Bev, Kerry and Karen. We also hung out with Dave and his chalet full of Thanetonians.
On a musical note we started off with WITCH that I enjoyed and has J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr) drumming for them. That night we watched My Bloody Valentine and let’s just say they were loud, very loud.
Other bands that stood out for me were Lightning Bolt that are famed for their gorilla style gigs as in they set up on the floor with everyone around them.
A Place To Bury Strangers, who are quite possibly my new favourite band.
Sonic Youth who were my old favourite band.
J Mascis and the Fog that had Kyle Spence (from Widespread Panic) on bass that I watched on my own while everyone had dinner back at the chalet and they were excellent.
The Buzzcocks playing hit after hit and some might say blew MBV off the stage.
Plus a band called Fucked Up from Toronto, Canada that finished off a night with a blast of lead singer Pink Eyes punk rock excellence.
Also, surprisingly for me, I enjoyed Harmony Rockets - Performing Paralyzed Mind of the Archangel Void, a single 42-minute ambient noise piece.
To sum up I had an enjoyable long weekend that I will be attending next year and possibly in New York this summer my fingers are crossed while I type (Hint, Hint Nicole big birthday coming up).
Oh and if anyone would like to take over my Christmas duties this weekend so that I can nip down for the ten years of ATP shows, I would be forever grateful.
KK
Wednesday 9 December 2009
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