Glastonbury 2016- Friday’s Top 3

I know that yesterday’s EU results have divided the nation, but rather than write a political post expressing my own thoughts on these results I think it’s important to discuss events that can still unite us all. So, it’s the return of festival season and here is my first festival post- my top 3 Friday Glastonbury favourites…

Blossoms: I want to start with Blossoms because they were one of the most successful bands at Glastonbury yesterday. I wrote a full post dedicated to them at the beginning on the year after they were announced 4th in the BBC Sound of 2016, detailing the history of the band and some fun facts so check that out if you’re interested. Their set at Glastonbury really shows how far they’ve come since my last post. At the beginning of the year they were a band pretty much nobody knew (sorry not sorry) from Stockport, with not a massive following, but yesterday they played the ‘other stage’, with fans stretching for miles trying to hear their set- and no wonder. They played all their best songs from their self-titled debut album, including ‘At Most a Kiss’, and obviously ending with, arguably their most known song, ‘Charlemagne’. Not only did they perform their own songs, but they also did an amazing cover of The Bangles Manic Monday. Granted they aren’t the perfect band, still having that rough charm of an up-and-coming indie act, but they are definitely ones to watch. If you like Catfish and the Bottlemen than you will definitely love Blossoms, and I would recommend watching their set on catch-up on the BBC IPlayer, and looking out for their debut album, set to be released in August.

Two Door Cinema Club: Obviously I have to talk about Two Door Cinema Club since it’s been AGES since they’ve made a musical appearance!! The Irish trio played a late afternoon set on the ‘pyramid stage’ after not releasing any new music in 4 years- thank god they’ve returned. They started their set by playing the classics from their first album ‘Tourist History’, such as ‘This is the Life’ and ‘Undercover Martian’, before playing a handful of songs from their second album, and moving onto their new stuff from their up-and-coming album, set to be released in October. From what they’ve played of it I reckon it will be one hell of an album which is going to sound unbelievable live. Although the band haven’t played live in quite some time they still have that energy onstage that makes their synth-indie sound so incredibly distinctive and original, and keeps their fans interested in their developing music. I would definitely recommend watching it on catch up and, like Blossoms, looking out for their new album. I only hope the rest of their album is as amazing as the songs I’ve heard, and that when they next tour I am lucky enough to get tickets to see them!

Catfish and the Bottlemen: Well it wouldn’t be a festival post if I didn’t talk about one of my favourite bands would it? Of course I have to mention Catfish because they are by far in the top 3 best bands I have ever seen live. Now they weren’t actually scheduled to play Glastonbury, instead deciding to do a surprise set on the BBC Introducing stage. Although there is only one video available to watch of the set (their newest single 7) it’s still worth a watch. Even though their new world tour is pretty much sold out, and they are playing massive arenas across the world, they will always be a band best seen in an intimate setting. There is no doubt that their energy can fill an arena, but when you’re in a small and intimate location they just have this aura that makes everything seem that much more special and more about the music than stage gimmicks. Although it is just one video it is definitely worth a watch, and if you haven’t already heard their new album ‘the Ride’ then it’s available to buy or listen to on Spotify now and is 100% worth the time.

Additional Highlights: Of course I can’t write about ALL the acts that played yesterday, so here are some additional acts I loved hearing yesterday at the festival, and who I recommend you catch up with on the BBC IPlayer: Disclosure, Foals, Skepta, Bring me the Horizon, Jack Garratt, Half Moon Run, and Rat Boy.

I hope you enjoyed this post and I look forward to bringing you my top 3 Glastonbury acts from Saturday tomorrow.

#festival #2016 #Glastonbury