Lovebox 2009 Review – Saturday 18th July
Friday, July 24th, 2009
All week we had been nervously watching the weather reports hopin’ & a prayin’ that the sun would come out to play for Lovebox last Saturday. Thankfully it did but then so did the rain just as Florence & The Machine took to the stage. It didn’t dampen spirits though with the enthusiastic crowd lapping up the variety of acts performing throughout the day.
We arrived at Victoria Park around 1.30pm just as 12 year old Chipmunk (ok ok so he’’s apparently 19 but he looks 12 to us) was finishing his set. To be fair he was giving it his all despite playing to a crowd of about 10 people. It looked very much like the main acts would be the only ones capable of dragging people away from the Relentless dance area and fairground rides.
To be honest from our perspective it was very nice to be able to sit down and relax with a few beers around the main stage area without being trampled by a sea of crazy festival goers. This definitely seemed to be the vibe with Lovebox – relaxed, fun and not too crowded early on which was great when all you wanted to do is chill out with your pals.
Up next on the main stage was VV Brown. We love VV here at UK Music Jobs and think she deserves more credit and respect than she gets. She’s been pummeling the festival circuit, including a stunning Glastonbury show, giving well received performances but the big problem is that while people know who she is, they don’t know her songs. VV is evidence that without Radio 1 airplay mass audiences just aren’t going to connect with you at this level. Despite that she’s a great performer and threw herself into the set with Crying Blood (both original and excellent reggae version), L.O.V.E & current single Shark In The Water going down fantastically well with the audience.
Mr Hudson was up next and was OK if slightly underwhelming for me. I’ve heard lots about the man and while I think he has a excellent voice and bucket loads of charisma (plus his band are tight) the songs are just a bit bland and unexciting. He did work it though and had the crowd going so its proof enough that his kind of mainstream, uber slick pop has mass appeal.
The retro tinged sound of Rumble Strips seemed to be a perfect choice for a late afternoon main stage appearance. The crowed had consumed enough beer in the limited sunshine to lap up the shimmery, summery guitar sounds of this interesting indie/pop band. I do wish the lead singer would look as if he actually wanted to be there though. Always helps.
So then came a 22 year old singer/songwriter and former performing arts teacher to inject the first bit of blinding star quality of the day. Florence & The Machine had drawn the biggest crowd with anticipation mounting for her to deliver a set to match all the hype. She did and then some. Running out on stage looking stunning and clutching a glass of white wine she jumped straight into a performance rich with drama, emotion, laughs, excitement and bloody brilliant tunes! Cosmic Love is my favourite track of the entire album and I could quite happily listen to her sing it live everyday. The emotion and throat tightening pathos she conveys is immense for one so young. She finished off with her rousing cover of ‘You’ve Got The Love’ which had every hand in the air and so many smiles and wafts of good vibes that I sense it won’t be long before she’s the headline act.
I always thought Duran Duran were an odd choice for a headline act so I made my way over to the Gaymer’s Stage to catch Friendly Fires. I’m not going to say much because if you were there then you already know just how brilliant their set was. Quite simply the best live band I’ve seen in the last five years. Their songs are immense, gorgeous nuggets of electro/indie/pop deliciousness. Go and see them live whenever and wherever you can. They’ll make you happy. I promise.
So that was our Saturday at Lovebox. For a mere £46 this has to be the best, friendliest, most organised music related day out of the year. We recommend you get yourselves along next year.
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