Jeff Mangum's second set brings the queues, Sebadoh close the festival

All Tomorrows Parties curated by Jeff Mangum 2012 review

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All Tomorrows Parties curated by Jeff Mangum 2012

Friday 9th to Sunday 11th March 2012
Butlins Resort, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5SH, England MAP
£170 per person

Daily capacity: 6,000

An eerie sea mist, reminiscent of one of Sunn O )))'s shows here, descended on Minehead on Sunday. Impressively, about 25 people actually turned out to go jogging along the seafront with Alan Sparhawk early in the day (ATP time). Visibility was about 30 yards so you'd have needed to keep up.

The string quartet American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME) put on another pleasantly sedate, icebreaker set to start the set on Crazy Horse stage. They finished with an epic 27 minute tune with string movements based around a haunting vocal loop of an unknown homeless man singing 'Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet'. Difficult to get out of your head nearly a week later. . .

Given the previous day's performance, it seemed only right to go and watch Boredoms do it all again back on Centre. Some familiarity with the new song/movement made it that much more enjoyable this time round, a very difficult act to top for the rest of the day again.

The Magic Band put on a lively set, showcasing the music of the late Captain Beefheart. The colourful Sun Ra Arkestra ensemble followed, returning for a consecutive ATP festival to play their broad array of Jazz. The Magnetic Fields took the pace down a few notches with their brand of strings and keyboards indie-pop. The two guitar duo of Tall Firs continued the lower-key vibe on Crazy Horse. Next up, the welcome return of Olivia Tremor Control who put on another popular Indie-rock set on Reds, with more participation by Elephant 6 musicians.

Jeff Mangum returned to the stage Sunday to play a different set that included a cover of 'True Love Will Find You' (Daniel Johnson). The (very) long queue of the weekend was testament to the quality of Friday's set; obviously most people had opted to try and see him again. Those who missed out Friday had priority through the use of a priority wristband system. Sets elsewhere were put back half an hour to respect the quieter, acoustic nature of his set. Jeff enthralled once more as he had Friday evening.

Jeff Mangum set list #2: Oh Comely - The King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 1 - The King of Carrot Flowers Pts. 2 & 3 - Song Against Sex - A Baby for Pree - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea - Two-Headed Boy Pt. 2 - Holland, 1945 - True Love Will Find You in the End (Daniel Johnston) - Ghost - Little Birds - Engine - Two-Headed Boy - The Fool.

Last seen here at the Animal Collective ATP, Group Doueh is a family affair of 30 years experience. They hail from the Western Sahara, near Timbuktu no less. They performed a lively hour of Sub-Saharan folk/ Rock crossover, accompanied by much traditional dancing. A complete change of musical direction then, as is the way of ATP.

Sebadoh closed the festival proper in typically upbeat Rock fashion, popular with us 90's types. Elsewhere, members of Elephant 6 Holiday Surprise and other bands refused to let the festival die with another random jam set.

Three days of fairly solid music for myself then, and much stage hopping as usual. All in all, one of the stronger line-ups ATP has put together I thought, particularly Friday night. All thanks to Jeff Mangum for his selections. My favourite sets from the weekends, and many others no doubt, the two epic performances by Boredoms. Members of Elephant 6 Holiday Surprise contributed most to the spontaneous moments that are a tradition at ATP. Also notable was the return of great sound to the Centre Stage, something that had (unusually) gone astray last December.

The sister festival 'I'll be Your Mirror' takes place at Alexandra Palace this May, boasting the likes of Slayer, Mogwai and Afghan Whigs. The National make the trip to Minehead this December to curate their own line-up of bands.

review by: Jason Wood

photos by: Jason Wood