Reviewed by Kevin Gaughan
Glastonbudget 2023 review overview
Glastonbudget 2023 review Saturday
Glastonbudget 2023 review Sunday
Kevin writes:
My first band of Glastonbudget 2023 were four-piece from Stoke, Of Kings and Captains who played a number of covers including Green Day’s Paranoia as well as their own songs which I rather enjoyed. They left the small audience wanting more when they finished their set with their original and hip-wigglingly catchy song Jack my Boy.
A great way to ease me into this year’s Glastonbudget and all the musical mayhem that is about to ensue.
While making a bee-line to the beer tent on the other side of the huge arena, I was intercepted by a representative from The Achillies who assured me I wouldn’t want to miss this band who were just about to play on the IcOn Stage. I still had a few minutes to get my beer, so I sat & watched them on my way back.
A very young band, with ages ranging from 12 – 16 and from Birmingham, they played mostly covers. I was impressed by the front man’s varied vocal styles. They played a number of different songs/styles, from Madness’ Baggy Trousers to The Smiths and Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love.
Next up on the IcOn Stage was Alanish, my first tribute band at this year’s event.
Good name, I thought, like Oasish, as Alanish did what it says on the tin – they sounded quite a lot like Alanis Morisette and played all the instantly recognisable classics including my favourite, Ironic, during which the plentiful crowd were enthusiastically joining in.
After Alanish was one of my highlights of Friday, local singer/songwriter, JJ Lovegrove. Armed with only her keyboard and performing on the mid-sized Loco Stage, I had been looking forward to her performance ever since interviewing her a couple of weeks ago (listen to the interview here – approx 15 mins in).
The tent smelt very aromatic as I walked in as JJ had a joystick smouldering away which was a lovely touch.
Having plonked myself on the grass again, quite near the stage, for that more intimate experience, I enjoyed her well-crafted, heartfelt, mostly original music. JJ’s set finished with her version of U2’s With or Without You made even more poignant by JJ’s signature style with a slower tempo, haunting vocals and intricately played keyboard.
JJ Lovegrove. Photo (c) Kevin Gaughan
I wasn’t disappointed and only wished she’d had a late-night slot in the intimate setting of the VIP tent.
Following on from JJ Lovegrove were originals band Eddie & The Wolves. Starting off with a token audience, as a lot of original bands do, especially when the headliner on the main stage are about to start, is always a challenge.
However, Eddie & The Wolves put on a full-throttle, high-octane set and managed to stop a good amount of people in their tracks as they were marching over to the Main Stage for the Micheal Jackson tribute.
Mrs Eddie’s vocal skills were quite impressive, as were her range of musical talents as she took to bashing her own drum as well as being on vocal duties.
Now it was time for my first major clash of the weekend – I hadn’t seen ‘Michael Starring Ben’ before, but was curious, as I do like a bit of Michael Jackson, but he was on at exactly the same time as my favourites, Jilted Generation (Prodigy tribute) but I also wanted to see local covers band, Out of the Blue, as they always go down well.
Michael and Jilted were both on for over an hour so there was enough time for me to see bits of all of them.
First of the three-way clash was Michael Starring Ben. As you would expect with a headlining tribute band, the quality was spot on, close your eyes and you’d think you were at a Michael Jackson gig, open them and you’d be sure you were at one!
Yes, I thought he was THAT good! – he played all the favourites, including one of my personal faves, Dirty Diana which took me right back to my youth.
Definitely added to my list of must-sees for next year’s Glastonbudget, if he’s there.
Halfway through, over to the Big Top, via the Loco for a bit of Out of the Blue.
Local covers band, Out of the Blue play a wide range of covers and add their own acoustic and rather pleasant style. They played everything from Dire Straits to Aha with a bit of Shania Twain thrown in for good measure. It was great to see a big crowd giving it some moves in the Loco tent, especially given the clash situation.
Now for one of my regular favourites, The Prodigy tribute band, Jilted Generation. They always pack the huge Big Top marquee with their full-on, in-your-face, high-octane performance and this year was no exception.
Jilted Generation played a good selection of The Prodigy’s old-school tracks mixed in with their iconic hits, my favourite, being Firestarter. This year, however, I did notice they used to have two frontmen, the other looking a little like Keith Flint, who wasn’t there this year, which did affect the performance slightly.
At the end of the day, there’s nothing I like more than to relax and reflect in the VIP tent, while seeing more musicians perform, this time acoustically.
It was great to catch up with Chris Ostler, who used to be a big part of the Leicester music scene while studying here, but tonight he told me he had to make his way back to his home town of Exeter straight after his performance.
Chris played a wonderful set of covers including Lionel Richie’s All Night Long and his charismatic chatter kept us all entertained into the early hours. A regular at Glastonbudget, it was great to see him again.
I can’t finish Friday’s review without mentioning the very last act in the VIP tent, local acoustic Duo, Edie’s Echo, who were nothing short of spectacular. Performing covers ranging from Portishead’s classic Glory Box (Give me a reason to love you) to The Zutons’ Valerie all stripped back and performed in their own acoustic style with a voice to die for.
What an amazing way to finish off my first rather amazing day at Glastonbudget 2023.
Glastonbudget 2023 review overview
Glastonbudget 2023 review Saturday
Glastonbudget 2023 review Sunday
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