Reviewed by Kevin Gaughan
Glastonbudget 2024 overview & vlog
My Saturday started off by missing a number of bands including the extremely popular, local ska party band, The Moderators, which was less than ideal.
I did, however, manage to catch some of The Eminem Show, in a packed marquee at 13:15, this chap had all the conviction along with the voice of Eminem, powering through my favourites including Aerosmith’s Sing For The Moment, The Real Slim Shady and Stan, which actually brought a tear to my eye. There’s something about seeing a live performance with the lighting and the energy from hundreds of people seems to make your favourite songs even more poignant.
Next up in the big top was supposed to be Seriously Collins but turned out to be The Police Academy. I heard someone say Seriously Collins and The Police Academy had swapped slots which was a useful bit of information as they were both on my radar. Sounding great but looking slightly dubious, the Police Academy pulled in all the classics including my favourites, Roxanne, finishing with Every Breath You Take.
Took me right back to my youth.
Then off to meet the Mrs & her sister at the main stage for a bit of Spice Forever – Spice Girls tribute – thought I’d have a quick peek out of curiosity. They hadn’t started and were running at least 25 minutes late, so I wasn’t going to hang around as I had an appointment with Dizzy Lizzy I couldn’t miss.
After hot-footing it over to the big top, making my way through the crowd, I headed for the void near the front, after almost slipping over in the mud, I realised why no-one was standing there!
Dizzy Lizzy were great to watch – they looked like they’re having a great time on stage, no wigs or fancy make-up here, they do look a little like the band, especially with the front-man’s huge afro! The Thin Lizzy party included some of the lesser-known back catalogue (which I also didn’t know) as well as crowd favourites such as Rosalie, Dancing In The Moonlight and my favourite Still In Love With You which was dedicated to the late Philomena, Phil Lynott’s mum.
Having borrowed their guitarist from Dirty DC, Dizzy Lizzy sounded spot on and made this old rocker very happy. I just needed Whole Lotta DC and Metallica Reloaded (both on Sunday) and that’s pretty much my entire childhood done, well, with the exception of Blondie, who I don’t think have played Glastonbudget.
OK, back to the gig – following on from the Dizzies, were Kazabian, this year, they were on the main stage, but they packed it out and owned it as only Kazabian can. With maximum crowd participation, the Kasabian party was in full swing. Finishing with Fire, the crowd were in fine voice.
Seriously Collins deserve a mention, although I missed some of his set due to a clash with The Sex Pistols Expose, but he sounded every bit as good as I remember Phil Collins did on my old record deck.
Upon entering the big top, it sounded like I was walking into a fight – with cries of ‘get off, you’re rubbish’ or something like that, and a bottle of something being thrown at the band who weren’t shy about returning the compliments! – ah no, it wasn’t an actual fight, it was the Sex Pistols Experience! – I had to laugh when I realised what was going on!
Musically sounding spot on, and playing the part well, full of anger and hatred for just about everything, I could imagine if I was lucky enough to ever have seen the Sex Pistols, this is what it would have been like!
Predictably ending with Anarchy In The UK, the frontman shouted ‘we are officially making our brexit’ and walked off. There were suitably sized mosh pits both at The Sex Pistols Expose and Kazabian.
Next on my clash sheet was New Purple Celebration. Out of curiosity, I thought I’d see what this tribute to the artist formerly known as Prince (TAFKAP) was all about. I quickly realised that, rather than trying to sound like Prince, which they did, to a point, they also remixed and added their own touches to some TAFKAP’s songs. Once I got my head around this, I was rather enjoying their set.
When Doves Cry was special, very special, the guitar solo was immense!
What a brilliant show, I thought.
Having replenished my reusable plastic pint cup, I trotted back to the main stage to get in position for the one and the only Absolute Bowie.
By the time Absolute Bowie came on, it was dark and the crowd was plentiful. Starting thirty minutes late at 10:00 and kicking off with Fashion, the sound at the main stage was awesome, as it had been all day, this chap even looks like Bowie.
Ploughing through some of Bowie’s back catalogue, including The Jean Genie and All the Young Doods. You’d be forgiven for thinking you were at an actual David Bowie gig, if that were possible.
There’s something even more special when it gets dark, standing in a large, like-minded crowd watching one of your favourite bands, the energy and comradery with your neighbours is a great feeling.
But, as all things do, Bowie had to come to an end and I trotted off to the bar to reflect upon the day that was… and what a great day it was, too, with so many memories, I looked forward to introducing our reviewer, Adam, to Glastonbudget on Sunday.
Glastonbudget 2024 overview & vlog
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