Leeds 2005 - Sunday

[vck]

Well we got into the arena between one and two o'clock. I'm surprised how uncautious the security were. Anyway, we walked ot the main stage to catch Biffy Clyro. I'm not a massive fanboy, but I was quite pleased to hear My Recovery Injection. Afterwards I got a lovely veggie burger, before exploring the arena a bit. The NME Tent was crammed with Nine Black Alps fans, so we watched local band Mojo Pin on the Lee Unsigned Stage. They were, at best, average, despite the huge crowd drawn. We then headed to the NME stage to catch Juliette Lewis & The Licks. I have to say, I did enjoy her set but it was a bit corny, especially when she said "Is this Reading? Not it's not, it's Leeds!" However, I had to miss the last five minutes of her because I wanted to catch underrated Rock legends Dinosaur Jr. With the band almost OAP's, they still managed to pull out an awesome set, with songs like Feel The Pain and Just lIke heaven. However, we could easily get close to the front as most of the trendies there didn't know who they were, depsite the fact they were a major influence on their heroes Foo Fighters and Razorlight. Later, we went to buy a staple of the festival diet Noodles. Whilst we were waiting, veteran Indie rockers The Charlatans came on. If people were bored with Dinosaur Jr., then the crowd at The Charlatans looked narcoleptic. I bumped into a few mates form school who were, along with the two thousand-or-so people in the crowd, drifting off. The only thing that got the crowd's attention was the two toddlers dancing on stage. But even then, the shock wore off. Afterwards, we went to buy some T-Shirts. The que at the T-Shirt stall was apocalyptic, but I managed to miss the first few minutes of Razorlight. However, I caught most of the set, which went down a treat. And of course Johnny, who I thought looked like Anakin Skywalker with his curly hair, went topless. They finished with a sweet version of In The City. After their rather energetic set, the sun was going down, so I figured this would be the last opportunity to get some food. I bought another veggie burger (I think i'm having a dependency), and I got close to the stage, as me and my parents wanted good spots for Mr. Grohl. We came across my brother and his mates, who were staying the weekend, and he was quite blatantly off his face. On came Kings Of Leon and they were a great singalong, with somgs like Molly's Chambers, The Bucket and Pistol Of Fire being played. Still relatively new to the scene, but if The Killer's could have got this slot the previous night, anyone could've. Notably, Caleb said "It's raining, so that means God is dancing." They left the crowd hyped up. Soon, the crowd started chanting, "There's only one Dave Grooooohl!". They were growing impatient. Then, when we were beginning to think that they weren't coming on, Foo Fighters stormed the stage, starting with In Your Honour. The crowd was mental. The only downside was that some drunken pricks were pusing into everyone, making people spill their drinks. So we moved to a less chaotic spot. Dave got booed when he said that he played Reading the night before, but redeemed himself when he commented that "Northeners are more fucked up". They closed with Breakout, the flangy rocker with the video of Dave acting as a guy just come off anger management. In all, it was one of the best Sundays of my life. Wil lI come again? Heck yes!

And here are some pics to compliment my review:

Dinosaur Jr.:


Razorlight:


Kings Of Leon:


Foo Fighters: