Leeds Festival 2010 Review

Sunshine, Alcohol & Good Music… But Don’t Forget Those Toilets

Overall – 7/10

While sister festival Reading is swamped with days of rain, up North yet another festival to remember takes place in Branham Park. From hours of sunshine to Axl Rose’s… memorable performance, Leeds festival 2010 most definitely came out triumphant in the summer festival league.

Despite a surprisingly small site and nauseating toilets, approximately 80,000 enthusiastic music lovers had bombarded the various tents spewed across the site for their share of rock, dance, folk and even the odd glimmer of a comedy set. 

By Sunday night, thousands of festival goers were filled to the brim with musical satisfaction, not to mention alcohol, and were already planning next year’s shenanigans. With tent burning and wrecked gazebos a-plenty, Leeds Festival 2010 really was monumental.  

Site – 7/10

With a site shaped like a slightly deformed golf club, the Leeds organisers clearly pushed the boat out this year. Fitting an 80,000 strong mass in such a limited area as well as 6 stages and a Ferris wheel deserves celebration.

Despite the everlasting human traffic jams which clearly indicated the end of an exhausting set and time to make the voyage from the NME/Radio 1 stage to the main stage, plenty of happy campers found the space amongst the throng to sit on the beer-trodden ground with a £5 quarter pounder and a £2 coke. Battered wallets and bruised fingers all round!

By the second day of the edgy Northern festival, you’d be lucky to spot a patch of un-littered grass. Apart from the selected cardboard cups which could earn you a whopping 20p, any unwanted carton, bottle or rejected piece of clothing was conveniently dumped - making the site unsightly and unpleasant for all.

Regarding sanitary; the toilets were no better either. They were somewhat tolerable early Friday but as thousands of worse for wear bodies earned their fair share of relief, it became a different matter. As the queues built and the stench intensified many desperate individuals began to doubt whether it was worth the wait at all.

Travel – 8/10

With a straight route down the A66 and the A1, getting to Bramham Park couldn’t be simpler. Taking around 2.5 hours the journey is just long enough to have a few thrilling games of ‘eye spy’ and ‘first one to speak is the loser’. As you approach the festival site, eye-catching road signs printed with ‘Leeds Festival 2010’ keep you on track and build the excitement at the same time.

After exiting the motorway a short minor road leads to Bramham Park where stewards fitted with aluminous jackets enthusiastically guide you to a parking spot as if they are landing a jumbo jet - their comical sense of urgency adding to the excitement. 

Once in the car parks, shuttle buses are on hand to convoy fans on the approximately 5 hour round trip to the nearest Tesco and taxis are scattered generously ready for the weary traveller who fancies a clean toilet break. Although, most of the crowds tolerated the queues and braved the queues into the campsites.

Atmosphere – 8/10

With a Mexican wave of roars sweeping through the campsites, it is impossible not to be drawn in by the excitement. Known for being rowdy and edgy, Leeds festival lived up to its reputation again this year.

Because of this feeling of a lack of control the festival does possess a sense of fun as well as its care-free attitude. With campsite DJs providing further improvised chaos, everyone mingles together for a genuine good time.

On the Sunday, the final day of madness, being woken by cries of relieved menaces who have finally found ‘ALAN!’ and looking no further than 50 yards before spotting an unlucky tent on fire, it all resembled ‘Mordor’ rather than Blue Valley campsite. Even despite this cause for uneasiness the festival itself still proves to be safe and trustworthy; with stewards patrolling all hours of the night, eliminating unruly fires and generally keeping the peace.

The Music

Friday

The Libertines – 8/10

The much anticipated four-piece put on an old-school style gig filled with their classics such as ‘I Get Along’ and ‘Boys In The Band.’ After one song good old Pete marched off stage causing confusion amongst the adorning crowd. But, thank goodness, he soon returned with a heart-warming message to his admirers, exclaiming – “Look after each other.” “Don’t stamp on each others’ heads and that.” Glad to see you care Pete.

Luckily for him, drummer Gary Powell entertained the crowds with a lively solo and the crowds’ excitement built. The ultimate highlight of the set was Pete Doherty and Carl Barat sharing the mic during ‘Can’t Stand Me Now.’ An ironic moment enough to convince fans that there is hope for the broken pair.

Dizzee Rascal – 8/10

A backdrop of London rapper’s demented eyes staring back you was enough to cause a stir amongst the bouncing crowd well before there were any signs of the man himself.

Nominated for his third mercury prize for most recent album ‘Tongue N’ Cheek’ Dizzee is obviously doing something right. Performing an enthusiastic and festival-perfect set, his Leeds performance was full to the brim with summer anthems and sing-a-long tunes.

Following an electric ‘Dirtee Disco’, ‘Dance Wiv Me’ and ‘Holiday’ the hip-hop star left the stage leaving fans pining for more. Returning to the stage shortly after he stated – “You know I couldn't leave you like that could I? It's time to get a little bit bonkers!" The tease fulfilled his promise and provided the crowds with his atmospheric No.1 anthem, leaving the mobs exhilarated.

Pendulum – 7/10

With the NME/Radio 1 tent already packed from Enter Shikari’s rampaging set, a mind-blowing show was on the cards.

The drum’n’bass assembly played many of their classics from 2008 album ‘In Silico’ and most recent ‘Immersion’. Getting the show on the road with ‘Salt In The Wounds’ followed by well known ‘Granite’ enabled the crowd to go wild.

Soon enough, idiotic male fans were forming pits and the crushes began. With the set at its climax, front man Ben Mount bellowed the band’s biggest hit ‘Propane Nightmares’ to thousands of chaotic fans as many worse for wear supporters were forced to fight their way through the masses looking for their nearest escape route.

Despite this bedlam and drama, the band rounded off their successful set with hit ‘Watercolour’ as Mount rejoiced – “Leeds, you’re f****** amazing!”

Saturday

The Drums – 7/10

After the first night of mayhem, The Drums gave a relaxing and rather therapeutic performance. The NME/Radio 1 tent was not packed but there were enough people to mingle amongst and have a decent time listening to the music without getting your head stamped on.

Beginning with ‘It Will All End In Tears’ and ‘Best Friend’, the Brooklyn based boys treated the crowds with a mellow, feel-good show. Despite front-man Jonathon Pierce and guitarist Jacob Graham’s flamboyant dance moves the band did disappoint the expectant festival goers by excluding ‘Let’s Go Surfing’, their best known single.

Wrapping the set up with ‘Down By The Water’ was soothing and rhythmic but not what the fans were most looking forward to seeing. But at least they looked good...

Weezer - 9/10

What more could you want – Rivers Cuomo dressed as Lady Gaga, ‘Teenage Dirtbag’ and security guards wrestling the crowd off Cuomo.

Playing the classics such as ‘Buddy Holly’ and ‘Beverly Hills’ the crowd were thrilled throughout. Putting on what was undoubtedly one of the best sets at Leeds Festival 2010, computer geek lookalike Rivers firmly stamped Weezer back on the music legends map.

In between a manic cover of Lady Gaga’s ‘Poker Face’ and bouncing on an on-stage trampoline Rivers pulled off a cover of MGMT’s ‘Kids’ spectacularly, setting the crowd’s atmosphere alight. Ending with Rivers escaping onto the Main Stage Field and dragging a crowd member up to sing with him; the Los Angeles formed rockers gave a performance to remember.

Blink 182 - 9/10

“This is a song about masturbation.” Blink endorsed their classic childish humour into their fun filled set. The punk veterans may be aging but with the main stage full to the brim it is clear they are still popular boys.

Getting the show on the road with ‘Dumpweed’ the Californian trio soon progressed onto their classic ‘What’s My Age Again?’ and ‘All The Small Things’. The crowd’s energy was electric as Tom Delonge made offensive remarks about ‘your mother.’

After an 18 song strong set the ultimate surprise was still in store. Featuring a stage which flipped 180 degrees upon itself, the legendary Travis Barker performed an amazing drum solo which sent the crowd ecstatic and cheering for more.

It’s true to say that Blink-182 are still hot in their game and are not ready to retire yet. They may be nearing the big 40 but it doesn’t look like the mischievous 90’s rockers will go down quietly and may still have a few crude comments to throw in the mix.

Sunday

The Big Pink - 7/10

London duo Robbie Furze and Milo Cordell seemed relatively quiet appearing on stage at the NME/Radio 1 stage on the last day of Leeds Festival 2010. With the tent already packed it looked like a good show was in store.

They made a promising start with ‘Too Young To Love’, with crowd anticipation building. Although The Big Pink are entitled to a few anthems of their own their crowd interaction seemed a little scarce. Cordell rarely looked up from his decks and Furze seemed to become absorbed in his own private rock show.

The crowd didn’t find it difficult to forgive though as the award-winning ‘Dominos’ lifted the dwindling spirits. Overall the band gave a comfortable performance, suitable for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Mumford and Sons - 8/10

One of the biggest rising acts in the UK right now and they certainly earned their right to be. Throughout the previous acts on the NME/Radio 1 stage the crowd excitement was building and as the moment neared the tent was buzzing.

As the London based quartet emerged on stage the crowd went through the roof and what better way to begin than with ‘Sigh No More.’ The foot-stamping anthem set the scene for further musical delights from the folk band including ‘Roll Away Your Stone’ and the remarkable ‘Little Lion Man.’

As the atmosphere in the tent soared to electric levels front-man Marcus Mumford thanked the crowds for turning out as the rest of the band smiled and laughed at what seemed overwhelming for them.

Concluding their mind-blowing set with ‘White Blank Page’ the talented musicians were enthusiastic and were clearly thankful to be upon stage. Although ‘Dustbowl Dance’ was not included the boys put on a staggering show that was genuine and totally natural for them.

Guns N’ Roses - 6/10

As Sunday night came upon the edgy Northern festival there was one thing on the people’s minds – Axl Rose. Will he or won’t he? Rumours were spreading that he had cancelled and the anticipation was building.

The Main Stage was overflowing and the fields surrounding it were a sea of eager festival goers. Eventually, after a 30 minute delay, the reformed band appeared. ‘Welcome To The Jungle’ soon kicked the crowd into gear as Axl tried his hardest to be the rocker he once was. Although the anthems the band churned out have made musical history Axl soon made a fine job of ruining the fun. Abandoning stage part way through and leaving the audience hanging soon changed the tune. At one point the audience resorted to chanting: “Axl’s a t***!”

Bumblefoot’s guitar solo of the ‘Pink Panther’ theme lifted the spirits but as the set was cut short at 11:15pm the crowds lost patience and many left to drown their sorrows. The set seemed to last forever and maybe it would have been an epic performance if Axl would stop being an aging anarchist and just deliver the music.