RBC Michaela: More short-shorts and some Blink 182
Yesterday was Day #2 of Leeds Festival. The weather was equally as gloomy as Friday but with most of the days must-watch line up on the main stage instead of the tents, we were hoping some rain dancing would keep the worst of the clouds away!
First band of the morning – I mean, afternoon – was the rather lovely Motion City Soundtrack. It had been a few years since I saw these lovely fellas play live in the UK – and boy, in those few years, haven’t we all aged!? Leeds stage was hosting an incredibly mature version of MCS… not something I either expected or wanted from my first band of the day! Shame really… I’d been hoping to jump around and get warmed up.
What MCS failed to achieve, The King Blues were happy to pick up the pieces, shake it up with a summers day and perform it with passion and positivity! I’m new to TKB’s music and this performance alone would make me want to see them again! Indeed, Ska Punk is not a crime… political lyrics go over my head a little (why should I need to think at a festival?) but the feel good vibe lingers on. Still remember “Save The World, Get The Girl” and singing along to “My Boulder” – just the pick-me-up I needed…
… until Thrice came along and brought me back down again. BOOOO! Thrice used to be one of my favourite bands until a few years ago. Their music has grown undeniably technical and shown their skills as musicians – however, somewhere along the line, it feels like they’ve forgotten their fans. With a “get on with it” attitude to playing and a questionable festival setlist (what kind of band doesn’t play at least one of the hits they’ve released?), I’m sad to say I’ll probably never see them play again…
With no bands we wanted to see for a while, it was the perfect opportunity to grab a beer and a pear cider, sit in the busy guest area, and discuss the finer things in life… such as: “I can’t believe we saw that girl’s ass cheek earlier!” and “Did you see Wally this morning?” “-Where?”
Next band of the day was Weezer. I was really excited to see these guys for the first time – particularly as the Sweater Song has become a bit of a head anthem (y’know, one of those songs that gets stuck in your head at the most unpredictable of times?). Rivers seemed to have a “kid with ADD” personality, spending more time OFF the stage than on it. I wish more front men were like that… as much as watching a screen is a little irritating, his uncontrollable need to run around and jump on things resonated through to the audience – we were all happily entertained! As for the wig-wearing Lady Gaga cover… nice.
Last, but by no means least, Blink 182 - sorry, “Mark Hoppus And The Two Other Guys” – were on the main stage for some serious pop punk sing-a-long action. This was the busiest a stage had been so far this weekend and pretty much everyone was amped about Mark, Tom and Travis performing on stage. It was a relief to see Tom had removed the “more talented than thou” pole from his arse and come back to forgetting lyrics and making bad jokes. After a classic festival set-list of hits; Travis Barker returned to the stage for some gravity-defying drumming usually reserved for Slipknot. Despite being freezing cold, watching Blink 182 was completely worth the weekend; I left smiling from ear to ear!
