Glastonbury Festival Glastonbury Festival 2000

Dandy Warhols
Other Stage
18:20 Sunday 25th June 2000

I saw the Dandies a couple of weeks prior to Glasto, and had really enjoyed the gig in the Astoria. However, I don't think they felt as happy in the great outdoors, facing dirty, mad Limeys at what is usually regarded as tea-time, an unusual time for a gig. The Dandies' music is best heard in gothic surroundings with plenty of black paint on the walls - the solid wall of guitar sound which is their most recognisable trademark was nowhere near as exciting in the Glasto setting. In fact, they were bedevilled by sound problems at the beginning, making the band even more jumpy than they were already, probably contributing to the bad-mannered exchanges between the front man and crowd.

They did plenty of tunes from "Come On Down", their second album, including a rockin' redition of "Hard On for Jesus". Tracks from the new album came over well, and I even found myself humming along with them - not bad for only one hearing, from the gig I went to before. "Boys are Better" was strangely subdued, considering how many people know it.

The Dandies could be described as "monotonous" (thanks, Pete S), but only because I think they are not particularly good as a live band, and the intense repetitions of riffs, etc, which work very well in the comfort of one's own home, seem to go nowhere live. I was not disappointed exactly - but I wasn't that impressed. At times, there seemed to be whole lines missing (obviously from the songs I know better!), especially from the top of the harmony - it wasn't clear to me whether someone was supposed to be singing them or playing them on the guitar.

However, all was forgotten when I obtained the new album after returning from Glasto, which is splendid. And after the gig - bumping into Zia in the backstage compound and getting me photy took with her. Nashville Pussy indeed.

Review sent in by
Septic Peg

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