Boards

friday broke me - too much alcohol - so i felt awful all weekend after that but had a great time anyways. our chalet was fairly OK by sunday night but was so cold until then, some douche left the window open before we checked in.

favourite bands bla bla melt banana especially

The nearly 2 hour queue to get wristbands in the cold and missing most of Shellac on the first afternoon was bad. As was the woeful alcohol selection at Pontins.

Favourite bands, in this order:

1. Melt Banana
2. The Ex
3. Rachels
4. Future of the Left
5. Shellac.

Overall a good solid ATP with flashes of inspiration: 6/10.

The chalets were ok and the electricity meter was stuck at 20p so didn't have to pay for that. I wouldn't say it was good to be back at Camber though, I liked it when there were better drinks and bigger bars so you didn't have to stand forever queueing. Mind you I didn't spend as much money and didn't get as drunk as usual because of it so I suppose that's good really.

Also if there's one thing on at a time when people won't still be in bed you should have the one thing on in the big room so everyone can actually see them. Huge queue for Nina Nastasia that remained there the entire duration of the set pretty much. Gave up on that room after Rachel Grimes (AMAZING) on Sunday.

The Ex were maybe the best.

Kim Deal solo was great whadda voice. Charmingly nervous. Thought solo Cannonball was a potential disaster but it totally worked.

Zeni Geva & KK Null solo set was really good. That sort of thing is great as a two piece if your drummer is Yoshida Tatsuya. What a guy. KK Null seems like a top bloke too. 'I present my solo project. If you only came to see Zeni Geva now is a good time to go to the toilet'.

Melt Banana as a two piece weren't really any different! 'You can't replace that bassist, she's a machine!' My friend said. Well they've replaced her with an actual machine and it sounds the same.

Buke & Gase might be the next sufjan newsome sensation. Verr good

I liked the Cravats frontman reviewing the band's performance straight after the song. 'Hmm. Nearly flawless'.

I liked Stnnng & Scrawl & Turing Machine on the Friday.

Always been to Butlins so not sure what to expect. Sounds like I need some warm pyjamas and a fuck load of booze, anything else?

What is the alcohol selection actually like in the bars and do they actively stop you taking your own in?

i had a fucking blast. didnt think the chalet was THAT cold, although one plug socket per kitchen was a bit of a pain. some minor admin gripes aside, it was pretty near perfect for me.

highlights: the ex, shellac, shannon wright, nina nastasia, uzeda, rachel grimes, red fang, mono, bottomless pit, three second kiss, the cravats.

to Shannon Wright. She was as awesome as ever.

...I think we've been a bit spoiled with Butlins tbh. I'd forgotten how much of an absolute and utter dump Camber is by comparison.

So so so so bleak. I never even ventured outside during daylight. Couldn't face it. Imagine going on holiday there?

The positive stuff is that several bands were absolutely exceptional (especially Melt Banana) and the general vibe was great fun. Everything being sort of in one building, claustrophobia/bottlenecks aside, meant I only really remembered I was in a Pontins when I went outside, whereas Minehead was all BURGER KING PIZZA HUT BIG TOP WOO.
I liked as well the 2 stage mostly staggered lineup, plus the late night stuff (what I remember of it). Bit gutted about missing both Shellac shows thanks to arriving in the evening/leaving Sunday night but if it wasn't them it just would've been someone else so whatever.

Not particularly happy with the chalet. OK it was old and cold, expected that, because Pontins. But a "5-berth" consisting of 1 tiny bedroom with 3 beds plus a sofa in the main room was a bit of a pisstake when we'd all punted in a grand or so altogether to be there. Thankfully some of our group got down early and phoned up an airbed order.

But overall, ATP is ATP. Glad I went.

Back in Camber. Hurrah!
Nina Nastasia (wonderful set, so much better than the last time she played ATP)
Buke and Gase (my pick of the weekend, probably)
Shannon Wright
Arcwelder
Shellac, obviously
Mono (despite the chatty crowd)
Neurosis
Prinzhorn Dance School
Zeni Geva
Future Of The Left
The security guy who looked into our chalet, saw the lasers, lights, smoke machine, amp and mixing desk and offered be our bouncer.
Walking all the way along the beach on Saturday morning and down to Rye Harbour

-ves
The lack of plug points
The bar staff not knowing how to work along the bar to serve people
Not enough staff on the bar
Shit beer selection and running out of Newcastle Brown every evening and all beers bar Carlsberg by Sunday afternoon
The amount of bands who just sounded like bad versions of Shellac
Gay Witch Abortion not really being that out of the ordinary
Missing the following: The Ex, Kim Deal, Kim Deal doing kareoke, Rachel Grimes, Red Fang

about tickets/wristbands. did the wristbands get handed out when checking into the chalets (like in minehead) or was there a separate wristband exchange? how does it all work at camber sands?

somebody had put an old Reds line up in their window and I did feel a bit nostalgic for the breadth of acts you got with four programmed venues rather than two.

As I understand it, Pontins is still in administration, so the fact the staff weren't very experienced/plentiful was due to them mostly being temps (because it's not opens for holidays). But I thought they were very nice, and security were positively saintlike next to the Minehead lot.

A few too many bands who sound like Shellac, but actually the Saturday and Sunday line-ups were pretty diverse in their way. Nina Nastasia, Kim Deal, FOTL, The Ex, Shellac, Buke and Gase all highlights.

Music Highlights:

Shellac
Oxbow
Prinzhorn Dance School
Arcwelder
Bottomless Pit
Melt Banana
Bear Claw
Pinebender
Future of the Left

Was a bit disappointed with Mission Of Burma and Wire as love them on record but they weren't bad by any means, and really enjoyed everything else I saw.

The second stage occasionally got too full and was annoying when you couldn't get in but don't really see what they could do about this... Security were overall great, didn't have any bad experiences, no unnecessary searching of people or dickhead attitudes, kept the crowds flowing.

The sound was awesome on both stages, seriously every band sounded great, was a treat to see bands who would normal play small venues really work on bigger stages.

As mentioned lack of beer choice was disappointing and they could have done with bringing some extra food in though the one Vegan choice was yummy. Also if you did go for any trash Pontins food it was pretty cheap.

Managed to keep the Chalet warn and everything worked and was nice and clean. We had one extra space luckily as think it would be really crammed if full.

Obviously there could have been a few improvements i.e. food and drink, but seeing as you could bring your own I think this is minor gripe. I was too busy trying to catch as many bands as possible so didn't spend much time in the chalet or doing anything else in Pontins so can't comment on that.

Overall possibly my favourite ATP ever. I mean music wise it very much catered to my tastes so was always going to be fun but getting to see bands like Arcwelder sound so great on a large stage was really special.

No one has been complaining about sound quality, bands running late or anything like that which goes to show how well things ran. A few problems with organisation elsewhere but I think ATP should be congratulated on putting on a brilliant festival.

Really pleased that I went despite not knowing quite a few of the bands in too much depth when making my decision to go. Melt Banana were amazing and the crowd was an absolute riot. But great to see some other acts which I'd never normally see and which I will explore more on record (Zeni Geva, Love in Elevator). Missed Buke & Gase but their performance seems to have gained a lot of acclaim. Rachel Grimes was great; perfect for a Sunday afternoon.

Pontin's did look rather tatty, and I can't imagine staying there on holiday, but the chalets were ok for a few days stay. Do bring everything that Marckee mentions above as they are quite austere in terms of stuff provided. Electric meter didn't decline at all while I was there, so we just had the heater on the whole time (it was very cold). Security were fine, not heavy handed at all.

Apart from that, big fan of the general ATP vibe. It felt small, compact, friendly, fun loving. Definitely thinking about going to the TV On The Radio one in May.

via the ATPeople Facebook group, are they going to have any trouble?

Actually liked CamberSands a lot more than I thought I would, and we just kept the heater on all weekend so it wasn't cold or anything, the actual venue bit really suited ATP as well, and if there was a queue for the downstairs stage you could just go round to the Queen Vic entrance. Nearly every band I saw was great, but especially The Ex + Brass Unbound, Future of the Left, Nina Nastasia, Rachel Grimes, Prinhorn Dance School, Melt Banana and Red Fang.

In the chalets like minehead?

were my no.1 I think. Amazing combination, really fantastic for bringing out the affinities/convergences between two very types of music that maybe aren't immediately obvious. Or, idk, but those at least were my musings after about 8 beers.

Bands-wise, I actually think *everything* was pretty great, maybe sans Gay Witch Abortion (a bit boring) and a couple of them Italian bands (a little meh, although I was kind of zoned out at that point).

As for chalets, I had no real complaints. Were some much better than other, or are my standards really poor?

chalet was hideously cold, but by the second day having left all the heaters on, it was quite pleasant.

bumped into Marckee but not Yesiamaduck and Sarcastic Fringehead or any other DiSers. shame!

had a weird encounter with some 'friendly' girls who might just have been terrible people being terrible.

Buddha Boxes are so tasty.

our table bossed the (interminable) book bingo. if they hadn't asked Danny to hold back, he would have got way more than five.

finally seen Mr. Show. :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uco5Ed-5y2U

:D :D :D

Rachel Grimes and then Nina Nastasia with Grimesy and Helen Money were perfect on the Sunday morning. gentle and deeply affecting extended moments of calm.

Neurosis had a really sparse crowd, FU BEDWETTERS. they were monsterously good, though. heaviosity.

Oxbow full band AND orchestra? orchestra should have been higher in the mix, though. so great, though.

so glad people digged The Ex. me and my pal Danny danced quite a bit to them.

FoL freak-out at the end of their set was fun.

Dead Rider were so worth checking out. like US Maple plus Suicide divided by Royal Trux. or something. 'It's quiet time' *crazy drumming* 'NOOOOOO'.

I love KK Null. and his song title announcements. mini solo noise set yay but not nearly LOUD enough. Zeni Geva were cool but I was too tired to enjoy.

Melt Banana were great and all, but it felt less spectacular with just programmed drums and bass.

Turing Machine were unexpectedly fucking super fun. DFA does krautrock. so much energy.

Cravats were great, avant jazzy noise punk with chubby aged droll northern frontchap.

Bottomless Pit were really nice, top guitaring.

poor mixes for Arcwelder and MoB, I reckon.

should have watched some of Shannon Wright.

Shellac were great both times. immaculate sound. love Bob.

we walked back to Rye station because we failed in taxi booking, but it was a gorgeous walk. was chatting to my friend Arfie about Warp records and I started thinking about old times walking through fields as a teenager listening to 'Music Has The Right...'. really wonderful countryside. good for my soul or what have you.

see Uzeda? Their pre-ATP show during the week was stunning, ridiculously under-rated band.

they were magnificent.

Funny to hear all the bitching from people who'd only ever been to Minehead.

Still the best for actually seeing bands and still the worst for actually living there for a weekend but hey, ho. It's about the music more than anything else.

Generally great line up.

I think I preferred Nina Nastasia's stories to the musical interludes in between, except when she got Helen Money and Rachel Grimes on stage.

Enjoyed Bear Claw. Enjoyed Helen Money a lot. Mission of Burma and Wire disappointed. Future of the Left weren't at their best but still a good show from them, although that new guy unbuttoning his trousers and feeling his dick was a bit much, really.

Did anyone see the guitarist from neurosis head butt the microphone and start bleeding from his head? That was cool.

The Ex with brass were so good, as were Turing Machine who I had absentmindedly assumed were an electronic group.

The dunes and beach were nice in the sun, with had lots of bizarre buildings and a dead sheep (metal as fuck).

Off site there is a super weird place called the Camber Café where you can get an okay breakfast if you can stand the weird pictures of clowns and patio doors. Round the corner is a much nicer place called Rye Bay café with free wi-fi and peroni.

You say Pontins is bad but it does have its own Pound shop.

The great bits:-

Mono closing Stage 1 on Friday night were a joy. Could’ve done with playing a song from one of their earlier records rather drawing the entire set from the last 2 records though.

Kim Deals performance seemed to be pretty divisive amongst those who saw it. Personally I thought it was outstanding. Particularly the slow song she played off Title TK (“Off You” I think it’s called) and of course Cannonball.

Nina Nastasia was class. Staying seated throughout and playing a set of largely slow songs worked wonders. Her ‘twinkie’ story could’ve maybe been cut by 30 or 40 minutes to squeeze in some more songs though.

Rachel Grimes was mesmeric. Her beautiful smile alone lit up Stage 2. Coupled with her magnificent piano it was easily one of the festival highlights.

The beach

The shit bits:-

Only two stages

Very limited number of bar staff

Too many bands sounding like Shellac. Nowhere near enough variety (despite the defensive claims made by ATP)

Cold Chalet (by Sunday it was ok)

Poor selection of drinks at the bar (and running out!)

Overall I’d say going back to Camber is a negative thing, especially after the relative luxury we’ve experienced with Minehead. Personally, I wont be going back to ATP if they hold it there especially if I’m parting with £180. After the terrific value for money I felt from the last 5 or 6 ATPs I do feel slightly fleeced.

I can only really think of Uzeda and they were brilliant.
(Love the faces their guitarist pulls)

How can Wire have disappointed anyone???
Absolutely utterly glorious noise for an hour.
Total bliss.

were really poor. they were more like bush than shellac or even nirvana. in fact they were a lot like bush. a lot.

Prinzhorn, Wire, Red Fang, Shellac, Shannon Wright, The Cravats, FOTL, The Ex all killed it. Not as good as last year's NBC thought. I kind of wish ATP would have a different curator for each day more often as I was getting a bit sick of serious white people with serious guitars by the end of this weekend.

First time at Camber after going to 6 at Butlins - it is a truly awful and depressing place. It makes me very sad to think that people go on holiday there. Anyone who thinks Camber is better than Butlins is basically either mental, nostalgic or being a contrarian hipster. Literally the only 2 good things it has over Butlins is proximity to London and a nice beach. OK, and there's less walking as it's smaller. I suppose Camber gets extra points for managing to sell hot dogs without filling the venue with the smell of rancid arse. So that's 4 things.

Shit stuff about Camber:

- chalets freezing, damp and should probably be demolished soon
- bedding was disgusting
- reception too small to deal with loads of people arriving at once
- beer running out and nowhere near enough bar staff
- no proper supermarket nearby
- not enough to do aside from watch bands
- JUST LOOK AT THE FUCKING PLACE!

Basically, they should move ATP to fucking Center Parcs or something.

first one at camber and sure, i missed the minehead chalets but the venues are better at camber. i like that the site is smaller too as i have a shit sense of direction and get lost a lot.

Red Fang were amazing. i was really looking forward to seeing them and they didn't disappoint. cool guys too as i met one of them and the merch guy on friday night.

wire and gay witch abortion were disappointing. shellac were awesome (both times). i'm kicking myself for not speaking to steve albini when we walked past him.

STNNNG?

was blown away by them.

thought kim deal's set was cringingly amateurish but kinda lovely too.

wire were very dull and shoddy.

were VERY excellent - one of the best of the weekend - I was going to do a write up saying that but I am too busy being knackered.
I bought an LP and I'm after more now!

Prinzhorn Dance School were another band who were cracking...

Really enjoyed The Membranes and The Cravats from the past?

I missed Buke and Gase who I think I may have liked (although foot percussion? really? I think the voice may have grated too)

however Potins many short coming were made all the clearer in the winter when the beach and good communal areas around the site aren't exactly popular choices.

We got lucky and go to bust electric meter in our chalet so just kept the heating on all the time without the credit going down.

Best bands I saw: Melt Banana, Red Fang, Future Of The Left, Rachel Grimes, Love In Elevator & Buke & Gase

Same group of people spotted moshing at EVERY single gig (within reason) including a half empty 2nd stage with enough room to swing a cow in between each person

Also the tactile strike on the unfortunatecamera man in the pit for Melt Banana (no photo pits) was a personal festival highlight only if it meant yelling charge with 14 strangers

I hadn't seen a mosh pit of any not at an ATP before, so this was a bit jarring.

Also Pontins is really shitty in the winter, it's fine in the summer as I love the beach and communal areas between chalets. But it really offers nothing but a bar with no beer and an arcade without any functioning machines besides that.

http://youtu.be/Bv6og-PvKAg

special moment from rachel grimes and shannon wright. this is what makes ATP great.

YOU HAD FUN.
HANNAH THE HOT BARMAID DIDN'T SEEM TO WANT TO HAVE FUN WITH ME IN A BED.
I DIDN'T ACTUALLY HAVE ACCESS TO A BED.
I FEAR, HOWEVER, THIS WAS NOT HER PRIMARY CONCERN.
ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, I STILL HAD FUN.
ATP = FUN.
FUN.

so glad it's back at Camber Sands - I'm not being a hipster or a contrarian (although there is possibly a little bit of nostalgia colouring my judgement, having been going to ATPs since the original Bowlie) ... I just think the atmosphere there is so much better - less people in less places means you bump into friends more often and everyone is happy, friendly and sociable and there are more chalet parties so you make plenty of new friends ... Butlins did grow on me a bit over the years, but it always felt like a festival in a shopping centre
+ loads of great bands/performances
+ winning the pop quiz and the top trumps
+ great karaoke on Sunday (Kim Deal, Nina Nastasia and woman from Uzeba performing a haunting rendition of Are You Lonesome Tonight?, followed by Carrie Weston doing an excellent and sultry Fever, followed by my mate performing The Real Slim Shady)
+ I was delighted at being IDed at reception

A really pissed Dan_thw going up to Jamie Summers in the pub (who was DJ'ing) to say hi, and accidentally spilling beer on the decks, which he then tried to clean up with his hand, making the record skip... cringe :D

Asking for a friend.

piece. if you'd like to read it, go here:

http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/lists/atps-nightmare-before-christmas-curated-by-shellac-our-highlights-114064

I didn't see as many bands as I desired, due to Stage 2 being rammed or clashes and my friends mostly being annoying weirdos who wanted to play the puggy machines instead of watch bands as well as being hard to rally for awesome stuff.

What I did see was great, though! These especially: Neurosis were huge, Melt Banana was insane, Mission of Burma was triumphant, Red Fang ruled (totally needed some galloping metal right when they were on), and Shellac was Shellac. And other stuff!

Did not like Buke & Gase at all though. I thought I was losing my mind while they were on because it sounded like they were all playing different songs from each other. idk.

Pontins is also pretty bleak, my word. I'd go back there in the summer, but no more winter ATPs - and my chalet was RIGHT NEXT to the venue this time.

Camber sands is brilliant. It's horses for courses i suppose, but i don't think minehead compares really.

Shellac were excellent, as performers and curators. Little touches like getting everyone to come for the starters each day, opening and closing the festival, playing great music.

Really enjoyed shannon wright, uzeda, rachel grimes, three second kiss, the first half-hour of bottomless pit, turing machine, loads of other stuff. The ex and brass unbound were amazing.

Buddha bowls! Pretty much perfect festival food, had one three days in a row.

Yeah, great weekend.