So, yesterday was a pretty big moment for radio in the UK. The BBC announced plans to cull 6 Music, one of their digital only radio stations that suits my and numerous other music lovers musical, radio-based needs down to a tee.
It’s not just me who listens to it. There’s over 695,000 of us listeners up and down the country and across the world.
If like me, you can’t bear to be without the wonders of Stuart Maconie’s Freak Zone, Guy Garvey’s Finest Hour and Marc Riley’s excellent show, you know what you need to do. Let the BBC Trust know how you feel.
Glastonbury 2003 was magical. My first summer after graduating from university, I got to experience three firsts. My first Glastonbury; my first time seeing REM and my first time seeing my favourite band: Radiohead.
I’ll never forget the view of the site after reaching the brow of the Hill of Death (those that have made the arduous trek from the East car parks to pedestrian gate C will know this point well). It was a city unto itself. Quite a shock on arrival from the suburbs of Hertfordshire.
Sadly I didn’t get there till the Thursday that year – a mistake I soon learned to address in subsequent years. However, once the tent was up I went for a wander. The stalls of the markets were brimming with activity. Simply stunning.
This was also a dry year – a false sense of security for future visits – but it made it all the more blissful.
I saw so many bands that year. But there were three of four truly magical moments.
Moment number 1: REM on the Friday night. REM, my second favourite band were headlining the Pyramid stage. Then came on, opened with Begin the Begin, swept through Imitation of Life and surpassed all my expectations with a stellar greatest hits set. I turned to my good friend Simon and exclaimed my excitement: this was the start of a love affair with Glastonbury that’ll never falter.
Moment number 2: Flaming Lips warming up an expected Pyramid Stage crowd before Radiohead on the Saturday. Seeing Wayne Coyne conduct our happiness as the sun went down was truly a sight to behold.
And then, the main event. Moment of the festival – Radiohead take the stage. The memories are long and vivid – Ed clapping the crowd, Jonny taking up his drum sticks for the opening of There There. This was another magical set, full of classics old and new, and truly a magical moment.
This was my favourite song of the set. Fake Plastic Trees. When the rest of the band kick in at 2:33, you could literally feel the wave of euphoria knock the crowd back ten feet.
And then the crowd sing-a-long prompting an a capella refrain from Karma Police: truly breathtaking.
I didn’t quite know how to top that on the Sunday, but Doves put up a fine effort on the Other stage. The way they ended with Space Face was a breathtaking finish to a fabulous weekend.
Glastonbury is a special place. I’m lucky enough to have a ticket to this year’s extravaganza, and I can’t wait to get there.
This isn’t a blog about any particular song, album or gig. It’s more about the joy of discovering a new song or band for the first time. Let’s face it, there’s too much good stuff out there to be aware of it all, but finding something new you like is always a pleasure.
Most recently I discovered Kraftwerk’s Neon Lights on Radcliffe and Maconie’s excellent Radio 2 show:
That’s encouraged me to go and check out more of the Kraftwerk back catalogue.
The time before that, it was probably Midlake, who unbeknown to me had realeased two quality albums on Bella Union. I’ve enjoyed checking out their latest – their third – on Spotify, and I’ve got their second, The Trials of Van Occupanther, on it’s way from Amazon.
Fyfe Dangerfield’s debut solo album came out recently. He’s the main man in the Guillemots.
This album is amazing. It’s so joyous, full of songs of love, hope and optimism. You really do need to listen to it. You won’t regret it.
It came out in the UK on the same day as Eels’ new album, End Times, which is about the break up of his relationship. I haven’t heard that yet, but I find it intriguing how two albums at either end of the relationship spectrum can come out on the same day.
I love you through sparks and shining dragons, I do.
And now there’s poetry, in an empty Coke can.
Those lyrics open up the Guillemots’ Made Up Love Song #43, and is one of the most arresting lyrical introductions to a song I’ve heard.
I’m not normally a lyrics man – the music behind a song is normally what grabs me most – however, Fyfe Dangerfield’s impassioned statement, starting at 0:17, really grabs me. And the very start of the intro, featuring alarm clocks and melody that de-tunes to its chimes ain’t half bad either.
While I was hard at work yesterday, this came blaring out of my iPod. I’d forgotten how good it was and hand to rewind it to listen to again at least twice!
It starts with a frantic, extended intro, then breaks into a superb blues-rock number with some cracking guitar solos. Magical moment comes at 1:24 as Jim James’ vocal kicks in.
Highly recommended – check it out in this live video.
Christmas came early for me as I got to see the living legend that is Paul McCartney at the O2 in London on 22 December.
It was his debut performance at the O2, but he did use the venue to rehearse for an earlier worldwide tour before the new arena was built.
This was certainly a magical moment. McCartney opened up with Magical Mystery Tour. The only mysterious thing about the tour was why this gig was the only one in the UK. I’m not complaining though, I just feel very privileged!
From their we were treated to over 30 more songs from McCartney’s back catalogue – plus cover versions of Give Peace and Chance and George Harrison’s Something. And just before that, a little bit of George Formby to boot.
We were also treated to Wonderful Christmastime – very apt three days before the big day. And quite a good rendition if truth be told!
There was no real standout song in my opinion – the whole gig was extra special.
I hope you’re all having a very Merry Christmas and getting to enjoy some musical moments of your own.
Sadly, I don’t think they’re as well known in the UK as they ought to be. I was introduced to them by two good friends. I’m pleased I was. They herald from Belgium, but sing in English.
Instant Street is six-minute-plus epic of a song, thanks to the elaborate outro, which is this songs moment.
It starts at 3:38. Watch this video from Rock Werchter 2008 (which, incidently, I was at!) and enjoy the layered guitars that guide this song to its conclusion.
I spotted this blog post earlier, which highlights some musical moments from Sesame Street – which recently celebrated it’s 40th birthday – can you believe that – featuring many artists including Stevie Wonder and REM.
I think this new take on Shiny Happy People by REM, the appropriately named Furry Happy Monsters is an absolute classic!
So, yesterday was a pretty big moment for radio in the UK. The BBC announced plans to cull 6 Music, one of their digital only radio stations that suits my and numerous other music lovers musical, radio-based needs down to a tee.
All about moving moments in music.