The Levellers (acoustic)

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Guilfest 2004

Friday 16th to Sunday 18th July 2004
Stoke Park, Guildford, Surrey., England MAP
w/e with camping £80 ; w/e £70; each day £32; Campervan £50; under-16's £20; phone 01483 454159

The Levellers (acoustic) always confuses me, it’s like they are suddenly transformed into an easy going Sunday afternoon cover band of themselves. In fact that is exactly what they are. Well, it’s Saturday afternoon and there are plastic picnic chairs on stage and a huge crowd is ready to receive them on the Uncut Stage.

I mean a huge crowd, at one point I wonder if the rest of the site is deserted and there are just a few freaked out space cases wondering what the hell is going on. The band stumble on stage and instantly I think of Sunday lunches and being down the pub for a pint or six. They are so familiar to us all now, it’s no surprise they have their own festival.

What they capture so well is not so much their all too familiar tunes but a typically British atmosphere. I’m reminded of Gaye Bykers On Acid Cancer Planet Mission where the opening song went on about muddy para boots and playing cricket. The Levellers are an institution, they are alternative lifestyle incarnate, an afternoon in your local, with a few games of pool, a great jukebox and plenty of cider and smokes.

Just how they pull this off with didgeridoos and fiddles I dunno, maybe they have something latent couched in the tunes but for me they are the ultimate festival band and clearly looking around I’m not alone. The audience is full of old friends and tunes to sing along to or talk of other festivals and happy times. To have a laugh and feel at home at last.

They over run, but they can cos they are The Levellers and the headliners and there is no curfew to stop them. Clever thinking and we’re grateful for it. A laid back performance, quietly powerful and full of warmth the world is a better place for the UK’s best songwriters.