Michael Rother plays a set of NEU!/Harmonia, a quality evening follows suit

ATP has always been a festival where artists are to be seen mingling with fans, The National took this to the next level with their '5-A-Side football with The National & Other Bands' event. Other bands included Local Natives, the event turned into somewhat of a kick around with festival attendees.

So Percussion, might not have been the best choice to sooth headaches early Saturday, but put on an intriguing show on Stage 2 to start musical proceedings off again on a lively note. A NY 4-piece, all drums with elements of Jazz complexity. The Kronos Quartet turned out on the main stage to play another set of strings, a similarly genre-diverse set to the previous evening. They ended with their strings version of 'Purple Haze' (Jimi Hendrix), a love-it or hate-it experience it seemed gauging peoples’ reactions. Lower Dens followed with a dreamy set of their atmospheric psychedelic/shoegaze sounds.

Highly influential for many bands that play ATP, Michael Rother performed the music of Neu! & Harmonia to kickstart a real quality run of bands Saturday evening. Rother was his typical understated but enthusiastic self as he effortlessly juggled between guitar and electronica, showcasing his innovative brand of krautrock. A highlight of the weekend for fans, organisers and other bands alike no doubt. A difficult act to follow, but Sharon Van Etten's album 'Tramp' has been winning the praises of the critics this year and she performed an equally captivating live set of her brand of ethereal indie-folk. Older numbers 'Serpents' and ‘Save Yourself’ were notable highlights as ever, Tramp cut 'Magic Chords' the best from the new album performed to the eerie sound of an Omnichord.

The Antlers bear some comparison to The National with their style; epic long tunes that build slowly, and which tend to grow on you over time. The trio performed with an extra guitarist, and despite some sound problems they delivered a quality set, heavy on layered chords and haunting high/low vocal arrangements/harmonies. Their performance drew heavily from latest album 'Burst Apart', highlights included 'Kettering', 'Rolled Together' and the set climaxed with the usual epic version of 'Putting the Dog to Sleep'. Probably not a band for people with shorter attention spans admittedly though.

ATP is the sort of festival where bands are encouraged to do something different, and Wild Beasts used the opportunity to perform their album 'Smother' in its entirety during the first half of a lively set. Canadian indie/post-punk/experimental rock band Suuns closed a superior evening with their expansive and unpredictable guitar and electronic sounds. You could hear a little of the Michael Rother influence in the electronic mix which serves as the backdrop to the rambling guitar sounds. Searchlight illumination effects through thick dry ice added to a claustrophobic atmosphere on a packed Stage 2.

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