REVIEW: The Big Chill [Festival Fever]

REVIEW: The Big Chill

Posted on August 4, 2008 5:20 PM
1 comment

BigChill%20053.jpg

The Big Chill Festival
Eastnor Castle
August 1st – August 3rd

Review by Zarina Raja

Day One

The Big Chill Festival, sprawled over a vast amount of English countryside, lying deep between the Malvern hills, situated by a lake and Eastnor castle, is, as you can imagine, a pretty impressive site for a festival.

Boasting greenery as far as the eye could see, The Big Chill certainly inspired a relaxing atmosphere and some much needed clean air – particularly for those who had come up from London for the weekend, and think that taking a stroll through Regents Park is a walk in the country side.

After the rain on Thursday, arriving Friday afternoon seemed like a good idea. With the sun lolling over the site, wandering between various craft, clothes, bubble and falafel stalls seemed like a fitting way to begin The Big Chill, knowing full well that this relaxing pace was not going to last for very long.

As the night drew in and the crowds begun to swell, we headed towards Roots Manuva in the Club Tent for one reason, and one reason only: Witness the Fitness of course.

The tent was packed with first night excitement and the intoxicating stench of what was to come over the next few days.

Roots Manuva dropped in some much loved tunes, including Nancy Sinatra’s ‘Boots.’ As the set wore on, DJ MK got a bit much for us and so we left before Witness the Fitness – damn.

Although disappointed at missing Roisin Murphy for the third time this year and losing track of time earlier in the day while the amazing Sigur Ros’ Heima was being shown in the Media Mix Arena, Roots Manuva certainly threw us into the festival vibe.

After attempting to find Milky Disco in the Sauza Tent and bypassing Thievery Corporation on the Open Air Stage, the night ended at the Rizla Arena: a chunk of space separated off for some serious dancing, some lounging about on the cushions beneath the (fake) palm trees and – you guessed it – a Rizla van with decks.

Day Two

After catching up on some sleep, eating copious amounts of hummus covered falafel, and indulging in a few more hours of aimless ambling, we were ready to catch some bands.

First on our bill for Saturday was Lykke Li on the Castle Stage. Lykke Li was a great performer to see because she is amongst a new wave of female artists such as Santogold, Lady Hawke and Florence and the Machine.

We then attempted to (but with no avail) catch the mighty Bill Bailey in the Big Chill Nights. As the crowds seeped out of the tent, lethargy consumed us, forcing us to sit between the overspill of Bill Bailey fans, while straining our ears in hope of catching a joke or two.

Back to the Open Air Stage to see Dee Plume of Robots in Disguise do a DJ set and hype up the bloated crowd for The Mighty Boosh. ‘Any Noel Fielding fans out there?’ She screamed, enjoying her boyfriend’s fame, and lapping up the almost half-hearted response from fans.

The Mighty Boosh, the weird and wonderful comedy duo, tumbled out onto the stage dressed as sequined Nannas (playing on the episode Nannageddon), clutching their guitars and doused in glitter.

Visually, the Boosh boys were on top form but I hate to admit it, the Boosh as a band, are a let down.

Their songs are funny and musically sound, but you have to be a Boosh fan to gain any satisfaction from their performance. They are a highly talented bunch. The comedy side of the Boosh is at the height of cutting edge art in comedy form, but for a Saturday night headliner, I for one, was not impressed.

‘I did a s*** on your mum,’ however, was pretty funny.

Another night ending in the Rizla tent, catching the last of Horse Meat Disco and Derrick Carter.

Related Links
Buy Festival tickets
MSN Big Chill Blog