The_Tortoise

Music-wise. But here's hoping that the next (only 2 weeks to go) will be better - certainly looks like it on paper. This one was only saved by having a decent bunch of mates there and (taking issue with one comment in this review) seeing the mighty Dave Pajo do his stuff as Papa M. GO PAJO!

I'm also a little disappointed that most people are fickle enough to like someone just because they slag off NME on a myspace blog. It doesn't take a genius.

This is all very average isn't it. NME - uninspiring. Lily Allen - uninspiring. Nathan Barley - uninspiring. I am so uninspired I can't think of a more creative way of saying it.
I'm surprised that anyone cares what an NME editor and Lily Allen actually think. Who knows what was behind their decision not to run a cover with 5 women on it but maybe there is another side to the story? Regardless of that, the stilettos comment was just typical hyperbole and shouldn't be taken as a totemic pronouncement on the position of women in the world today.
Can we have some proportion please? I guess that is a bit boring though.

And the review is spot on about people getting into Bat for Lashes who probably wouldn't have heard of her. All the tracks I have heard so far are brilliant, I think we have a winner on your metaphorical hands.
Nice to see you there soupy.

Instead.

For reviewers to slate the first ATP weekend if they weren't there. Some people (i.e. me, obviously) managed to go to both and the first weekend was probably better. As for criticising it for having a day of freakish folk also-rans, there was actually some very good stuff on show. Vashti Bunyan and Devendra aren't also rans; and Bat for Lashes were great.
But I will concede that I agree with Mr Diver about Lightning Bolt. The whole on the floor gimmick is tired now and encourages a few idiots to jump around with elbows in everyone else's favourites. When I see a band I want to concentrate on the music, not defending my body from thugs.

I've seen them 3 times now and I couldn't say that I would rate them in a top 10 let alone top 1. Yes they are very interesting and do something different. But the whole thing of not using a stage is getting very cliched now. They also attract too many thugs (not necessarily their fault) and I don't want to spend an hour fighting them off while trying to hear the sound.

It is a crying shame

And the BBC says it will probably rain but Met Office doesn't. So who knows. Was nice and sunny last weekend though for a change. Saves on the electric too because you don't need the heaters on constantly.

A quick summary would be:
Lots of great bands (of course);
Getting complacent and missing bands you would normally be desperate to see;
Nice cups of tea in a chalet;
Dancing until 5am;
Eating overpriced food in a beach cafe;
Nobody being aggressive, except during Lightning Bolt;
Trying to stave off a hangover for 3 days;
Depression setting in once you're on the way home;
But generally having an amazing time and wanting life to be like that every weekend.

And no Bonnie Prince Billy & Matt Sweeney?