Glastonbury Festival Glastonbury Festival 2000
Chemical
Brothers (2)
Pyramid Stage
22:50 23rd June 2000
As
we approached the Pyramid Stage from the top of the hill the Chemical
Brothers had already started playing. We were immediately impressed
by the new Pyramid stage. In the darkness the lights pitched out
over the crowd in impressive spins and arches. The new position
of the stage - turned slightly towards the centre of the festival
- meant that the view was great from the top of the hill. As we
walked through the crowds who were sitting on the hill we were impressed
by the great atmosphere.
As
the crowds deepened and 'Hey Boy, Hey Girl' came out over the loud
speakers the mood intensified and people danced, leapt about and
cheered. We made our way to the mixing desk where everyone was standing
and the mood drooped as the view of it all was obscured. So we decided
to make our way up the hill again where we could experience the
best part of the performance - the light show.
To
be honest the Chemical Brothers themselves were incidental in this
gig. Yes, the music was good, at times varying the mix on favourite
songs, but overall it was the light show that was impressive. Vegetable
Vision were responsible for the strange lights and images that caught
the eye and captured the imagination. Initially five screens portrayed
the images which then shrank to three as one large screen replaced
smaller ones on the stage. There were tropical beaches, dancing
men and children's faces as songs like 'Block Rockin' Beats' and
'Private Psychedlic Reel' rang out.
The
Chemical's were rather self indulgent in this gig, allowing over
dramatic pauses that only weakened the party mood of the crowd.
But for those of us on the hill, with full visual stimulation, the
gaps were filled with light.
review by Zoë
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