Agree. Also there was a lot more crossing over between stages. I know they need to put the cure, the xx and Gorillaz on the main stages but if they could have put your Blood Orange, Big Thief, Baxter Dury on Cupra and Occident with Jade and Pinkpantheress on the main stages, it would have been a massive improvement.
100% THIS! I haven't quite been able to put my finger on it, but I think you've just nailed why I didn't enjoy this year as much as usual. In last years edition, the likes of Slowdive or Big Thief would have had evening slots at Cupra or Occident, instead of being shoved on to the main stages during the day. Apart from the very biggest acts (ie The Cure, the pop headliners), most performances at Mordor just lack that special "wow, I'm so lucky to be here" feeling that I remember from the Jesus Lizard and Anhoni sets that you've mentioned.
Sidenote: I wonder if there's a decent chunk of ticket holders that gravitate towards Mordor simply because it's the biggest stage, without really caring who's playing at that time, thus the increased (and incredibly noticeable) yapping.
Some horrible talkers around me as well for that one. Plus the mobile beer taps pressing through almost all the way to the front, which really should be illegal.
1. Kevin Morby - Little Wide Open
2. feeble little horse - bitknot
3. Genesis Owusu - Redstar Wu and the Worldwide Scourge
Decent month though - Kurt Vile and Ed O'Brien would have been top 3 most months