Roskilde Festival, Denmark:Day Two, (30/06/06)

Sat 1st Jul, 2006 in Gig Reviews

Righto, with the sun shining, music blaring, beer flowing and crowds bustling things are swinging at Roskilde! The festival feels like a makeshift city more than anything – complete with its own daily newspaper. Just thinking about the organization of the event is mind boggling – are there volunteers to organize the tens of thousands of volunteers? Do the hundreds of caterers have their own set of caterers to feed them?

Anyway best not worry myself about these things and concentrate on the music. My day started with Disco Ensemble, who aren’t disco at all but more like emo with a kick up its ass – nothing like a Finnish band doing American music better than the Americans. If their immediate, energetic and danceable tunes translate as well on record then go look them up – now. One great thing for ignorant uni-linguists is that when different nationalities meet up English is invariably the default language, so except for the Danish acts all the onstage talk and most of the lyrics are in English. Including Norwegian JR Ewing, who tread similar territory to the now defunct Swedes Refused. I was expecting big things, and though they undeniably rocked they were also missing some spark, and I found myself wishing Refused would reform so I could watch them instead.

Still in the Nordic, and heavy, regions were highlight Opeth – on whose bandwagon I am a very late jumper. This is the second time I’ve seen them live in a month and I can’t gush enough, they play the kind of tend-shunning dynamic metal that we need more of in this world. May I add that Mikael is surely the most likeable metal frontman since…ever? The thinking metal-woman’s sex symbol if you will. Anyways, I wiped away the drool to catch – the older indie chick’s sex symbol? – Morrissey on the main stage. As much as I love The Smiths - and much of his solo work – live Mozza just seems a bit too cabaret what with all his crooning and his shirt unbuttoned to his navel. Kind of creepy in an old man gym teacher kind of way….I wasn’t bowled over and nor were the somewhat bored looking crowd.

On the other hand, it was the day of the Wainwrights with Martha playing an afternoon set at a packed out Pavilion stage. Relaxed and chatty, she charmed all present with nothing but a guitar, her folky country twinged songs and a sweet and soaring voice. Older bro Rufus likewise laid on the feel-good factor later on at the bigger Arena stage. A sure contender for gayest man in the world – in every sense of the word – he is a pleasure to watch on stage. Like Martha he was friendly and funny (quips included ‘I’m a blonde in my soul…but a redhead in my pants!’) and he even brought little sis out for a few songs including a gorgeous rendition of ‘Hallelujah’ which brought the house down.

Wish I could say the same for Bob Dylan, who though most would allow is one of the greatest living songwriter’s yadda yadda, hardly anyone could accuse him of being a particularly enigmatic performer. I’m sure in an intimate venue some of the magic might survive, but in such a massive arena, with nil audience interaction or even displays of enthusiasm it was hardly impressive stuff.  

Then at midnight were Death Cab for Cutie, who for me are reminiscent of Jimmy Eat World minus catchy tunes. Though I’ll admit it’s likely a case of ‘you either get it or you don’t’ and plenty in the audience were getting it. The acoustic ‘I Will Follow You into the Dark’ was a lovely but something a little more upbeat was in order at that hour. Which is where Scissor Sisters fitted in, bringing their disco carnival to the big stage just before everyone went to bed (yeah right). They played all the hits and left everyone smiling, marking the midway point of a brilliant festival so far.