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radioOver 50 performances, seminars and events at the Greenbelt Tree Of Life festival on 26th-29th August are put under the critical microscope by the Cross Rhythms reviews team.
FRIDAY
THE OTHER WINDOW - Stage 2 - 5.55pm
Described as
psychedelic space rock The Other Window pretty much stick to their
remit. Although if you were hoping for a British Brave St Saturn you'd
be disappointed. For this is a brand of psychedelic rock harking back
to the good old days of the 1970s when prog was king. But this is
guitar-led prog with a synth in support and not the vice versa. It
also manages to incorporate heavier, more metallic moments too
(reminding us that the band features ex-members of Seventh Angel and
Ashen Mortality). Whilst '70s psychedelic/prog rock is not my forte,
the nearest comparison I can muster is the mighty Hawkwind -
particularly with their closing song. Despite my Dad being a much
bigger fan of prog than myself, it does not stop me appreciating it.
This does highlight that this is a band that do have a particular
audience, who sadly were not there to appreciate it. Large swaths of
intricate instrumentals left little space for lyrics, which
spiritually does perhaps leave them a little light. But overall a very
well crafted set performed to a high standard.
Greg Sammons
SONS OF ADAM - Stage 2 - 7pm
Playing out to a
packed Stage 2, Sons Of Adam from Bristol kicked straight off with a
well received introduction leading into a brand of funk rock sorely
missed by fans of V12. The vocals are gritty and slightly grungy which
simply add to the lazy comparison I've decided to make! From thereon,
the band developed their own style, which was described in the
programme as "power rock". It's as good a name as any other but I
certainly heard elements of funk and Brit rock. They reminded me also
somewhat of the Elevation bands, particularly Quench and Supervision.
If they play their cards right they may well get onto the
aforementioned label, they've certainly got the talent for it. They
also have the capability of working up the audience too, although I
feel a strong home/fan contingent in the crowd helped that along.
Nonetheless a brilliant live band with some beautifully worshipful
moments too. They really do have the potential to go far (especially
when you realise this is their first proper gig!), something the
former editor of NME also agrees on. This is a name to look out
for.
Greg Sammons
MARTHA TILSTON - Stage 1 - 8.15pm
Another year, another Greenbelt. Even a cursory examination of the
programme/diary reveals an even further expansion of the attractions
and venues on offer to the expected 20,000 punters. I count a
staggering 22 plus venues this year - surely too many. The tendency
for so many competing attractions to thin the crowd at each event and
dissipate the 'festival atmosphere' is surely demonstrated by the
meagre crowd (about 100) who gather at Stage 1 (the nearest thing GB
has these days to a Mainstage) to see Martha Tilston though maybe,
like me, it's just that few GB punters seem to have heard of her. It's
all very well for the Greenbelt programme to tell me she's supported
Damien Rice and "gained huge respect and a dedicated following in the
underground new-acoustic scene" but her presence here as Stage 1's
opening act seems more to be a reflection of committee members'
personal tastes/CD collections than any sensible expression of
festival programming particularly as Martha's hauntingly ethereal
music is far better suited to a warm, relaxed, intimate venue than the
cold concrete underpass that is Stage 1. Despite the setting and poor
crowd Martha Tiltson does quite well, her impressive pipes echoing out
through the concrete. With her guitar and a mandolin/violinist
accompanist though most of her lyrics are lost in the harsh/brittle
sound that echoes around the concrete. Martha's voice is truly
impressive though and the occasional phrases that carry through, like
"Now that I've found you," "I'm only paddling," "All the angels" leave
me pondering if this gifted Irish songstress is, in fact, a
believer.
Tony Cummings
SOMEWHAT CONFUSED - Cabaret: Gold Cup - 9pm
I
think the title of the show fairly accurately described my state of
mind come the end of the show. Described as a comedy sketch show, I
can't help thinking the "comedy" tag was a little generous. Rarely did
the show raise the level beyond the odd titter; causing more people to
react with disgust than laughter alas. You see, for some reason the
writer of this show had a recurring obsession with bodily functions
and also deemed it fine to use both blasphemous terms and some milder
swearwords when it really wasn't needed (if it's ever needed at all).
The idea was to theme the show around questions found in newspapers
and magazines . and utterly fail to answer them in the name of
post-modernism! To my mind the best moment was their clever reversal
of the situation of a man finding out his mate is cheating on his
girlfriend, ie, he wasn't. But even that only managed a wry smile -
some less experienced comedy consumers did react slightly more
positively however. Some people seemed to enjoy this show but most
remained nonplussed. Drop the "comedy" tag and they may have got away
with a witty look on today's culture, but with it it simply failed to
deliver.
Greg Sammons
DUNCAN SENYATSO - Outside Sticky Music Tent -
9.10pm
I'm on my way back to my tent feeling well fed
(overpriced Thai food) and footsore when I espy a group of musicians I
initially take to be buskers doing an impromptu gig outside the Sticky
Music tent. In fact it turns out to be Duncan Senyatso from Botswana
with a handful of Scottish accompanists and the music they're making
is a delight on the ear. It's haunting, wistful and has an air of
melancholic longing quite unlike anything I've heard. Duncan plays his
electric guitar with delightful deftness conjuring up riffs for the
others to follow while his voice carries the folk melodies of his
homeland with plaintive musicianship. By the close of his set there's
close to a hundred sat on the grass enjoying Duncan's artistry.
Tony Cummings
NORTHUMBRIAN COMMUNITY - Sovereign Lounge -
10.30pm
We follow the Boisil Compline service used at
the Northumbrian Community and it is a lovely way to draw to a close
the first evening at Greenbelt '05. The service is very popular and
the Sovereign Lounge is full. The worship space sets the atmosphere
for this short Celtic worship; lots of twinkling candles, Celtic
artwork and a beautiful tented ceiling consisting of swathes of
colourful cotton fabrics. Accompanied by a few members of the
Community's choir and the worship leader we sing "In The Shadow Of
Your Wings" and finish with a prayer which we all recite in sections.
After a full day of loading our vehicle with everything but the
kitchen sink, travelling to Cheltenham, pitching tents and exploring
the new festival layout this service is the perfect opportunity to
thank God for the day and the weekend ahead as we prepare to retire to
our sleeping bags.
Ruth Saint
SATURDAY
ARADHNA - Centaur - 00.15 am
With its restful
mauve and amber lighting, the Centaur at midnight is the perfect venue
to encounter Aradhna. Aradhna, which means "worship" in Hindi, are
Chris Hale and Peter Hicks, although on Saturday night their special
blend of South Asian worship music is complimented by a female guest
vocalist and a very talented friend on tablas. Peter was born in Delhi
and Chris was raised in Nepal and together they combine eastern and
western music influences to play beautiful Indian devotional songs to
Christ called Yeshu bhajans. Peter plays acoustic guitar and vocals
and Chris plays sitar and lead vocals. An evening of singing bhajans
is called a satsang (pronounced "sutt-sung" and is also the title of
their latest live album). Eyes closed, sitting or lying on the Centaur
floor listening to the enchanting sounds of the guitar, sitar and
tabla, together with the dipping and soaring of Chris' vocals you are
transported in your mind from the campsite of Greenbelt to India. The
bhajans are sung mainly in Hindi but the fact that I didn't understand
one word doesn't matter in the least as the music and sense of
devotion to Christ is mesmerising and rise above language. Chris
however, kindly interprets the meanings of the songs and we are all
soon chanting simple Hindi phrases, such as lines from my favourite of
all the bhajans - "Bhajo Naam": "Bhajo naam, japo naam, pyaara naam,
Yeshu naam" (Sing his name, chant his name, the beautiful name, Jesus'
name.)
Ruth Saint
RADIATE - Stage 2 - 10.30am
After a lengthy
sound check, delaying the start of their set and potentially mucking
up the rest of the schedule, Radiate finally start off after a
building anticipation. And they don't let us down, starting off with
former Rock And Hard Place favourite "Electric Indestructible". By the
time their third song "Is It Ever Gonna Happen?" comes to a conclusion
the lengthy sound check was well worth it as their live sound is
bang-on. Quieter, more thought provoking, songs run alongside harder,
intense barn-stormers. Elements of funk, Brit-rock, stoner rock and
nu-metal create a sound I can't really attribute a label too, which
will no doubt please them! A near-capacity crowd (at this time of the
morning - testimony in itself to the quality of this band) are ably
warmed up for the rest of the day by this bunch of genre-melding
musicians fronted by the dreadlocked, gravely-voiced tones of Steve
Bradfield. He is not only capable of singing both loud and quieter
songs but also able to give a positive message that everyone needs to
hear. God's spirit is definitely felt by many in the room.
Greg
Sammons
QUENCH - North Stage - 1.30pm
Greenbelt festival darlings and local heroes Quench are the first
band to grace this new venue. Two questions occupy my mind as I sit
waiting on the grass: 1) Will this venue work? and 2) Will Quench have
some new material? The answers are both "Yes." It is true to say that
the sound does blow around a bit but, by the end of their set Quench
have been turned up and everyone is happy. North Stage works well.
Quench gigs are always great fun and today is no exception. Jamie Hill
is jumping up and down, singing his heart out. Mark Cocks rocks on
guitar. New boy Ed on bass seems at home, and we're all singing along:
"Kill my, kill my idols," and then "I'd give anything to see you
again." Most of the set is drawn from the excellent 'Afterglow' but
there are three new ones: "Identity Crisis", "Consuming Destroyer",
and "No More Pretending". As the titles suggest, the themes are
heavier, as is the rock, as Quench confront their struggles with
customary passion. A live DVD is about to be released and Jamie
expresses hope for a new album next year.
Stuart Blackburn
STEVE - North Stage - 2.30pm
Steve is
playing Greenbelt. Is anyone surprised? Their omnipresence is second
only to God's. Neil is on fire today. "Are you all for worshipping God
with me, people?" he asks. The magnificent "My Ever My All" sports a
mellow introduction but is soon cooking at speed and Neil is urging us
to raise our hands. "Divine Design", another favourite of mine from
the 'Falling Down' album, follows. Funky bass prevails and we all join
in: "It's all because, it's all because of you." The band drops back
as Neil reads from the New Testament. He's on a bit of a preach today,
but you can tell that he loves us. Now he's giving us a demo of their
new Casio keyboard. I'm glad he's pleased with it. "In The Zone" is a
poppy little number but Neil is laughing. A black-spotted yellow horse
has turned up with a black and white cow, both of the pantomime
variety. I don't think they are an official part of the act. "VIPs"
rocks us to a finish but the band have not really been at their best.
Not to worry. They're on tour in the autumn and should not be
missed.
Stuart Blackburn
SNEEK - Stage 2 - 3pm
Kicking off this year's
Meltdown at Greenbelt, Sneek start off with their most well known
track, "King Of The Ring". This quickly establishes their nu-metal
sound which they continue through the set. In their quieter moments,
elements of funk are displayed as well however. Sadly they do seem to
lack some of the slickness and tightness of some of the other bands
but that may not be entirely their fault - Stage 2 has a reputation of
mixed results with its sound. The vocals at times seem a little
stretched, lacking the intensity that is perhaps needed to accompany
this style of music. However the music never falls below par and often
rises well above it - with some excellent build-up and breakdowns.
During their more mellow moments the music flows beautifully and the
vocals match well. It is during their louder moments that the vocals
sometimes don't match. Lyrically the songs are strong, with clear
Christian messages that are relevant to today's society - many of the
songs are explained at the beginning or end to make double sure the
message gets across. A good start to the Metal Meltdown but leaving
room for improvement.
Greg Sammons
AFTER THE FIRE - North Stage - 3.30pm
North Stage is filling up nicely. What's going on? Many of the
newcomers are 40-something men (and older). This can only mean one
thing: After The Fire. I had the privilege of joining the
40-somethings at ATF's 25 year reunion gig here last year, at the
insistence of my friend Roger. They all knew the words and sang along
with the passion of a football crowd. Nostalgia touched hearts and
grown men wept openly. "Life In The City" opens today's set and the
band sound surprisingly fresh. "Dancing In The Shadows" follows with
its optimistic guitar intro and sing-along chorus. Those men are at it
again. The guitar-orientated tunes have fared better than those
dominated by the keyboard. Those keyboard riffs and swirls are cheese
to the contemporary ear. Such is true of their new single, a re-make
of "One Rule For You, One Rule For Me" which re-lives as "One Rule For
Trade Justice". Even the collaboration of the Psalm Drummers is unable
to rejuvenate the sound. "Der Kommissar" confirms that the years have
not been good to the ATF sound. "Starflight" concludes and
contradicts. There is something compelling about this track. Keith
Smith, the new lead singer, dressed in white vest and trousers, refers
to the band's "Bounce-back-ability." First time listeners will
struggle to understand.
Stuart Blackburn
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