4 VI 2007, 17:06
Fri 18 May – ATP vs the FansPatti Smith:
All Tomorrow's Parties was a lot of fun, despite the peculiarity of the venue and the lacklustre audiences. I mean, when was "nodding your head very slightly" declared to be the new dancing? And don't get me started on the preponderance of ironic facial hair. There's nothing wrong with beards - in fact, I think they are much underrated - but surely if it's worth growing one at all, it's worth at least
meaning it?
Patti Smith put on one of the all-time greatest performances I've ever seen, which was a particularly unexpected surprise because I knew none of her songs. An absolute rock star. I was converted in the space of about her first two or three songs. It was a shame I had to miss
Cornelius to see her, though. I'd have liked to have seen Cornelius.
Also, slightly guttingly, had to miss
Sparklehorse to see
Mogwai - a decision that was only possible because I already had tickets to see Sparklehorse in June (last night, in fact). I didn't regret seeing Mogwai, though I dearly wished I could have seen both bands.
Other highlights were
Why?, who radiated menace,
Grizzly Bear, whose beautiful-sounding songs were perhaps too strange for my brain to fully process (not a criticism: I must listen to some more of their stuff, is all). And I still can't believe I got to see
actual Daniel Johnston:
