Glastonbury 2008 – Must-sees and maybes

Okay, I’m officially excited about Glastonbury now. This time next week I’ll bouncing around to some great music in a muddy field in Somerset. It may not have as many good ‘big names’ as Bestival this year, but I think the 2008 Glastonbury lineup is actually really strong; if anything, I think I’m going to have more difficult choices to make than last year.

Details of Shangri La are out now too, and it’s looking much more fun than Lost Vagueness last year, and if Trash City is half as good as it was last year, it’ll be fantastic.

So, who to see? I’ve formulated a bit of a list, but haven’t checked times and days for clashes yet. Plus of course it never goes according to plan, so I’ll probably end up catching one or two of these acts, find someone brilliant that I’ve never heard of, and spend the rest of the time primal dancing around a fire in the Green Fields. Right, in no particular order…

Must Sees

Railroad Bill

The UK’s finest skiffle band (and our mate’s ex-band). They played Glastonbury 12 times last year; our mission this year is to catch every one of their performances. Seriously, seek them out, they’re great fun live.

Jimmy Cliff

Living legend, great voice live, and should be a great vibe for his performance.

Santogold

Her album is shaping up to be my album of the summer. I think the compaisons to M.I.A. are rather lazy, as Santogold has a wider range of styles with hints of punk, dub, hip hop, and ska. This is her performing L.E.S. Artistes on Jools Holland:

and performing Say Aha live:

Ebony Bones

We caught Ebony Bones in Trash City last year, and were completely blown away by her energy – sort of punk meets mardi gras. We Know All About You (music only):

and live:

Maybe Sees

Vampire Weekend

Been listening to them a lot lately, should be good.

Dr. Alex Paterson DJ set

I’ve seen the Orb live a few times, but I’ve not caught Alex Paterson DJing, but I imagine it’ll be just the ticket at Glastonbury (couldn’t find a decent clip of him, so here’s the Orb live in ‘95)

Shakin’ Stevens

The Welsh Elvis. ‘Nuff said.

Nick Warren

Could be really good – here he is at Glastonbury last year:

Leonard Cohen

Living legend number 2. No idea what he’ll be like live, but definitely on the list.

The Black Dog

Sure to be good.

Spiritulized

Don’t think you can go far wrong with Spiritulized.

The National

I’ve only recently heard The National, but since then Boxer has had quite a lot of plays.

Seasick Steve

This should probably be on my must-see list – here’s Seasick Steve at Glastonbury last year.

UNKLE

I think UNKLE could be fantastic, but have a feeling this may be a bit clashmungous.

Other Maybe Sees

Because that’s probably more than enough You Tube clips for one page, here are the other acts I’d like to catch:

• CSS
• Massive Attack
• Elbow
• The Young Knives
• The Mystery Jets
• Banco de Gaia
• Black Kids
• Editors
• Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly

Have I missed anyone?

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