REVIEW: BIG CHILL FESTIVAL 2010
Massive Attack (Pic by Giulio Callegaro)
The Chill Out Experience, I’ve found the big chill bars at Brick lane in London and Small Street in Bristol with a pleasant surprisingly, relaxed, atmosphere .The visuals and décor, lending an energy and creativity to the Venue. A place where anything could happen a performance platform for artist. Catalysts of innovation and inspiration. I went to the big chill festival with the same expectations.
Festival Republic was in charge of this summer’s festivities for the first time. (Glastonbury Organizers) There was a youthful and mature mix of party makers, flowing with a vibrancy and expectation of the feasts of acts and performers gracing the festival stages. They were not disappointed. A lake with a giant yellow plastic duck and the muti coloured letters on the side of the bank spelling I Love U. 700 naked painted bodies in either blue, yellow, pink or black, laced the Big Chill hills to created a live installation by the world famous artist Spencer Tunic, A big wheel and dodgems to caterer for your every whim.
The tens of thousands were rewarded for filling The field at Eastnor Castle with the likes of Giles Peterson, Mad Professor, Dj Nick Holly wood, Jane Bartholomew, Hospital records, Martyn, Kruder & Dorfmeister, Andrew Weatherall, Easy Star, Breakage and Bristol’s own DJ Derek, Western Soul, Mr Benn Plan B, Thom Yorke, Lilly Allen, Faulkner, Paloma Faith, The Magic Numbers, Morcheeba, Norman Jay, Zero 7 (DJ set) Terry Callier, The Bug (live), Tomb Crew, Joker, Theo Parrish, Wilson, Gilles Peterson and many, many more!
Massive Attack on Friday night pushed the boundaries of their eclectic sound, fusion of hip-hop rhythms, soulful melodies, dub grooves, and choice samples to new frontiers always the avante garde. The crowd did not want the symphony to finish M.I.A. The British songwriter, record producer, singer, rapper, fashion designer, visual artist, performed a range of her repertoire also introduced songs from her new album \/\/\Y/\ (a typographic equivalent to M.I.A.’s legal name of Maya) Roy Ayers hypnotized the revelers at the said named stage with a masterful demonstration from the world’s most famous vibraphonist with an infusion of jazz funk. The rain cleared up. Everybody loved the sunshine. It was good to see Gregory Isaacs, but he left a little to be desired, as a I remember him in his prime, He looked tired and left the stage after each number perhaps to find a Night Nurse, The big chill loved him when I watched the hordes of excited women rocking and gestating to the classic reggae beat, I thought of one song: “Financially I’m A Pauper But When “It Comes To Loving I’m Alright!” Sunday’s Nights main act left nothing to be desired and brought the main stage to an undeniable climax. The current authentic voice of a generation held the big chill with her brash, sexy, unfazed delivery, the crowd exploded after Princess Lillie Allen announced at the end of a Ballard of numbers that she was pregnant.
At 10pm on the dot Sunday world famous pyrotechnics Wizards unleashed a fireworks display to rival Walt Disney’s but the tower they set a light reminded me of the film: Wicker Man I turned away and hoped no one was inside, sacrificed to appease the mother earth. There were foods from all over the world and to suite even the strangest of diets. My favorite had to be Levi Roots Jerk chicken and a close second was the amazing pizza stall, which won best pizza, at Lama Tree Festival.
You had to check out the Words in motion stage with some of the countries best-spoken word artists, Kate Tempest and Charlie dark’s School of Dark. Extravert gestures and verbal gymnastics and Kate bullet point vocals depicting urban life. So much to see and do. A whole barrage of festivity and merriment, drones of people passing form one end of the festival scantly clad dancers moving to the sound of music created by a world of mobile headphones. To another, there were parties till the early hours of Monday morning. But I still felt there was a vibes or an energy missing that only when it’s there you know it’s there. Still I can’t wait till next year.
Words: Miles Hilton Chambers & Talkin Tekla the Narrata
