Glastonbury Twitterings: Thursday & Friday

Image by Ginger DJ via FlickrAs a relatively new member to Twitter, the instant personal status update service, I thought I'd update everyone on our Glastonbury experience through the blog. Shame my phone battery didn't last the distance and the Orange tent didn't have enough Sony Ericsson charge points.

Anyway, we left Brighton about midday Thursday with Mark's campervan for the festival. We were a little anxious seeing the news to see what looked like almost everyone getting there the day before so getting a decent pitch looked doubtful. The first shock was hearing the massive scrapyard fire had caused some major traffic queues. It took about 30 minutes to get in after joining the queue.

We went for the 'families' field with the prospect of actually getting some sleep but that didn't really matter later as you could hear the sound-systems from the main site. With the added space next to the fence, we were able to pitch up our pop-up tent and mini-portaloo - a welcome extra to Mark's van. Our new neighbour introduced himself and promptly showed off his home-made 'green door' ready to wave at Shakin' Stevens.

We checked out the site to see what new additions and changes had been made since our last visit some 4 years ago. No more Lost Vagueness instead Shangri La and Trash City (see picture); the Dance section has expanded to at least 8 separate tents; the John Peel tent has grown 3 times larger; new area called The Park has been created.

By the evening the rain had arrived and the mud started to appear which put a real downer on the experience. The BBQ couldn't be lit, our clothes were drenched, our neighbour was annoyingly pi$$ed and we suspected him of using our toilet the morning after. Waking up Friday morning to the cramp, twisted spine experience, it wasn't a good start especially with the wetness still lingering in the air. It was natural to have doubts whether we would still enjoy it.

Anyway, the line-up could not ignored and headed back on site against the persisting rain. The first stop was under cover for Jonathan Kay, a modern day fool. The last time we saw him was a very funny experience but this time the whole audience participation experience was just a bit one-dimensional. However, we were trapped with the rain outside and sat in the middle of a packed audience. Luckily, he got everyone to move outside and legged to the next tent. Unfortunately we ended up watching a poet rambling on how grim it was up North, very depressing but still the rain persisted. Luckily we only had to wait a few minutes until Alan Parker: Urban Warrior aka Simon Munnery came on to do his comic genius turn. If he ever tours, you must see.

We caught up with Kerry's work mate just after who'd never done a festival in his life but with living just a couple of miles away had decided to do some stewarding. Just showing him around Trash City and Shangra La was a real eye-opener for him. Whilst touring the wilder side of the wilder side of the festival, we came across possibly my favourite moment of the weekend. Inside what looked like a perspex mini-caravan with jukebox front was a 3 or 4 piece rock band: singer, drummer, a double guitar/bass and possibly another I couldn't quite see. After some research I found their website - The Dukesbox. An intimate crowd was gathering as some debated which song the band should play then they selected the number. They selected 'Born Slippy' and what a treat it was as the cover was a rock triumph.

After a quick refresh at base camp we start the evening with X-press 2 who go down well but don't recapture the magic of the first time - in fact they sound exactly like the first time with the same records. Roisin Murphy's straight after and starts her set well with some robotic dancing and lots of costume changes. She's also not wearing a bra. It's a pity she only does her new album stuff and ignores any decent Moloko anthems. We put up with it until she plays Overpowered then leave as everyone and their dog arrives to see Fatboy Slim. No point for us as he's at Wireless next week and in Brighton in September.

Silent Disco was our next stop waiting for Addictive TV. No worries about leaving a deposit and the music's not bad with added crackle and hiss. As the time approaches we realise Addictive TV are late and instead some reggae DJ comes on. Time to make a silent exit and avoid the zombies of the night. We head out to Trash City and look in awe at a futuristic open air rave with lazers, flaming lamp-posts, weird walk-by actors and freaks.

Finally stop before we crash is the Twisted Cabaret presented by Frank Olivier. With a hunchback for an assistant, this is a one-man cabaret show with different guises. Hilarious with his extreme limb twisting yoga master and climaxing with a tall uni-cycling, guitar-playing and juggling performance.