Guildford Live 2001
Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th August 2001Stoke Park, Guildford, Surrey., England MAP
weekend £64, Fri £27, Sat £32, Sun £30, camping £25 (per tent)
Early on saw a beautiful set from Eddie Reader - once she was happy with the sound - accompanied by two excellent guitarists. She was followed by The Blockheads, who gave a great show playing songs from a new album out in October as well as a few classics sung by various members of the band. Ending with 'Sex & Drugs & Rock & Rock', sung in Ian Dury's style without trying to imitate him, this goes down in my personal list of 'proud to have seen'!
Following Delerious? and Roland Gift, the day was closed by Reef, who'd interrupted recording to come and play. They seemed a little unsure as to what they were doing there, but the crowd - although a little thin - were soon enjoying a great set of their uncompromising rock.
The Aladdin's Cave Stage had Eddie & the Hot Rods still doing anything they wanna do - and doing it very well, with an enthusiasm many young bands can't muster (but what's with the bikini wearing bassist?). The stage was closed by another old-time act (of sorts) Dead Men Walking, who attracted a large crowd.
Elsewhere, the new comedy tent proved a popular detraction from the music, while the Kidzone kept the youngsters happy with shows and activities. In the Dance Tent Banco de Gaia played a storming set, with the crowd kicking it up so that dust was billowing out of the entrance like smoke!
This festival - put together by the obviously uncompromising Tony Scott - is continuing to grow while managing to keep a special feel, more of an old-style festival without much of the corporate bollox seen elsewhere (there was the huge Lipton Ice stand, but it did mean free drinks all weekend!). The policy of booking top-quality acts rather than big name bands pays dividends, and by including some leftfield acts such as Chumbawamba and Drunk in Public ensures the diversity to stand out from the crowd.
review by: Neil Greenway
photos by: Neil Greenway