If Kasabian the previous night were basically playing "lads day" at Finsbury Park, today was ladies day. And whatever one's opinion on the quality of the acts, I can say unequivocally it was much more civilised than the day before. No flying beer cans - indeed I suspect much lower alcohol consumption generally. Little pushing and shoving. But, although the place looked pretty well attended, judging by how much easier it was to leave at the end compared to the day before, I don't think Wolf Alice had attracted the same size of crowd. Maybe not same size as day before, but almost completely different crowd (well apart from yours truly!)
This time I was right at the front barrier, so much closer to the action as it were. The disadvantage was that the copious amounts of dry ice used, to little purpose, drifted quickly in the wind in my direction. Many times during the day I felt I was watching a gig through advancing fog.
Opening act were entirely new to me, Florence Road. And while one might expect the openers to be the weakest act of the day, this was far from the case. Certainly much better than the previous day's opener.
I might add that the lead singer played the gig (as did some of her successors) looking like she was singing in a gale, with long hair fetchingly swept back in the wind. Unfortunately for the crowd, this was not a breezy day. Rather the front of the stage was furnished with industrial scale fans - it was another stifling day.
Just as Sofy the day before was the token female act, today Keo was inserted as the token male act. They stuck out not just being four lads, but also because they were a much heavier rock act than the others on the bill. Felt a bit like "Well we have to have some blokes, lets stick a pin in a list of male bands" And this was the result. Not bad, but honestly they felt like a bunch of lads who had watched rock bands and they just copied the movements. Took themselves vastly too seriously. And should have been a bit insulted to end up on this bill given that on Friday there was a bill with proper rock acts headed by Biffy Clyro and Nothing But Thieves. But they were on this one.
Rachel Chinouriri is possibly not a name that would resonate with you. Never heard of her either. Bouncy, apparently had an album out a couple of years ago. But not my genre
As I observed to my friend, it is commonplace for singers to thank their bands as, after all, they were doing all the music. And Rachel did. But usually they introduce the band members by name, so we can show a little appreciation. She did not, and furthermore the band were all tucked away at the back of the stage. She evidently didn't want to share what little limelight she had.
I was gratified to find after the gig that my teenage friend agreed with me that the following act, Lykke Li, was the weakest of the day. A Swedish artist, she was just embarrassingly bad. Dull songs which she executed while feeling herself up. She seemed to match a waterproof hoodie with leather pants
The Last Dinner Party were a band I wanted to see as heard some hype about them. To be honest they disappointed. Quite heavy rock band, although not in the same league as Keo. Just didn't seem to have much about them apart from swagger and glamour. Also unfortunately this was when they decided to really let loose with the dry ice, so photos worst here as largely taken through swirling mist.
And finally to our headliners, Wolf Alice. While most of the preceding acts were all female, Wolf Alice actually just have the one female band member, singer Ellie Rowsell. She has an extraordinary voice. This is a long established band, with a Mercury Music prize to their name. This was described as their homecoming gig - a local band for local people. I think in truth they have had more critical than popular acclaim. This may have been their biggest ever gig
Loved the massive mirror ball!
Quick costume change for Ellie - white to black
Wolf Alice sound much heavier in real life than on their albums, and maybe I prefer them as a recorded band. But there was a fair old show here. And I appreciated how much easier it was to escape after the gig than my other recent festival experiences. Had time for a pint at the Finsbury with young Mo and then we walked all the way home. It was by now a very pleasant temperature for a walk.
