Leonard Smalls

It is... As an ex BBC sound recordist and Post Production manager I can assure you that, especially with current budget constraints, only the bare minimum number of staff (or contractors) are sent there. I never went on a beeb junket! In contrast, I remember when I was training; I did 3 months on Keeping Up Appearances in Kenilworth... We got pay, plus overtime for while we were there, plus travel allowance, meal allowance (even though there was location catering) and overnight allowance for being away from home, and hotel... I bought a motorbike with just my overnights! But it's not been like that for 30 years or so. My old department doesn't even exist anymore!

Forgot about Nova Twins (how could I?). Awesome, as usual...

Yesterday I enjoyed Cymande (what bass? ACG headless?), Black Uhuru, St Vincent, Scissor Sisters and particularly, Getdown Services with their insanely catchy "Dog Dribblin'". Here at 20'30 in... https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002fd6s/glastonbury-sunday-evening-live And even though I didn't want to, thinking it would be annoying music-as-product girlypop-pish, I also enjoyed Olivia Rodriguez' set. Great band, great stage-craft, decent songs and great overall production. Kids nowadays, eh? And I was a little disappointed with the Amyls' set - maybe because I'd given the Osees a good go and had a bit of a headache... I gave Rod a song to entertain me, just long enough to throw a bottle of piddle, but I was bored as soon as I saw the Vegas-alike set. And my Mrs insisted we gave CMAT another go... And while they all played well, and she sang excellently I still have the feeling that it's all a bit like that sign you sometimes see hanging in offices - "You Don't Have To Be Mad To Work Here But It Helps"; trying desperately hard to be wacky, different and fun but ultimately failing completely.

Next gig I'm wearing a waistcoat and cowboy boots with a big fluffy perm...

Yesterday I watched using The Big Stereo at A Reasonable Volume... English teacher I found alternately excellent and deeply annoying. My Mrs likes 'em more than me, I feel! Loved Gary Numan - serious bass sounds! If only he'd played It Must Have Been Years... Enjoyed Fat Dog with their Klezmer-tinged punky stuff - singer very shouty and looks like James Acaster dressed up as the Man From Delmonte. Shame the bass level wasn't upped till halfway through. Briefly watched Haim for a look at The Bass Face but found it all rather too cheesey and wet. Liked The Ezras, though I prefer max rather than min funkin'! Unfortunately, missed Big Bad Bobs Vylan - nice to see the boys still causing trouble! I wonder if the Beeb will put his show up for our viewing pleasure? 😁

Jump Around - House of Pain

I'm a thumb plectrum man... Basically hit the string on both the Up- and the Down-stroke! Some times with a slap for emphasis. Then 3 fingers wiggle about doing other widdleystuff.

Having seen her on Later a while ago I'll be steering well clear. But some folks are clearly huge fans!!! It clearly takes all sorts... Shall hopefully be catching up with Bob Vylan later, then search for entertaining oddness, like the Porn Crumpets last year!

I thought they were great - excellent musicians. Though I feel their cover of "Sunshine" was ill-advised; musically they nailed it but the drummer's "singing" and constant shouts of "hey Glastonbury" would have poor old Ayers spinning in his grave!

I would say that The Electric Bass Guitar is a Whatever-You-Want-it-to-Be Instrument! Original purpose is irrelevant; after all, Viagra wasn't invented as "support instrument" either...

Up The Junction - Squeeze

We're going to Ibiza - Vengaboys

Holiday Head - Screaming Blue Messiahs

Let's Start The Dance!- Hamilton Bohannon

Bop Gun - Parliament

Lick My Love Pump - Nigel Tuffnell (and Mach)

I think that, so long as you make it one capitalised word and sound like this, you'd get away with being a tribute act!

Having just checked out the "up and coming" Nottingham Girlband, there's not an enormous overlap between them and previously-named Girlband. Girlband are a straightforward Lady Parts-ish band, and Gilla Band are not up-and-coming due to being a bit too Leftfield. Luckily they didn't call themselves that! like this:

Love 'em! I was confused by mentions of Girlband from Nottingham...

Only capitalist lackeys and lickspittles succumb to the tyranny of melody and its evil master, key!

Southbound Pachyderm - Primus

No, silly! It's obviously the Isabel Marant Shirred Paisley-Print Georgette Miniskirt! I always go topless at festivals! (actually, it's the toothbrush. Good piece of kit!)

I'm ashamed to say I have one thing on their list!

Talking of gear, I hope everybody going will be following Vogue's advice! https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/article/what-to-wear-to-glastonbury