S?n Festival 2011: Top 10
Here's my countdown of some of the best bits of the S?n Festival 2011.
10) Niki and the Dove: Performing in O’Neill’s, this Swedish act was one of the weirder ones that I caught. Niki herself was a little like Kate Bush - flailing arms, wailing songs and wild hair, punching the air and beating her chest to the rhythm. Initially sceptical, I have to admit I quite enjoyed her set. The dance beats got the crowd moving and her enthusiasm was infectious.
9) Aidan Moffat and Bill Wells: The top floor of Ten Feet Tall surely at absolute capacity, these Scottish gentlemen played a long set of highly original music. Squeezed in, the crowd fell silent to listen to this mixture of spoken poetry, jazz flavours, noir soundtrack and lullabies. I love an accent in music, and the thick Scottish one which coated these songs really gave them character.
8) Chapter Arts Centre: I spent Saturday night here and it was a charming place to see live music. I love the place anyway, but grabbing a beer from their amazing selection and heading upstairs to sit on the floor of the dark theatre made a change from standing in clubs enjoying very loud music. The relaxed, communal atmosphere made the venue perfect for singer-songwriters such as
7) Ffred Jones: a highly talented guy from Newport, who performed with a pleasingly varied band - all the usual stuff you’d expect as well as a cello and harmonica. Add to this an MC and you’ve got the most varied singer-songwriter of the festival. Somehow the rap did not feel out of place in his songs and made for some good head-nodding tunes.
6) Elephant: A little bit of Warpaint is evident in the songs of this duo, who combine electronic synth, country stylings and the female lead’s haunting voice to create some great chillout songs. Amelia Rivas is an entrancing lead, and songs like Ants and Allured are very dreamy listening.
5) Other Lives: A queue at O’Neill’s was evidence of the quality of this band before we even managed to squeeze in. Sounding vaguely like a more interesting Mumford and Sons, the band wowed the audience, despite being crammed onto the stage. It’s difficult to compare Other Lives to another band. Perhaps Elbow a bit? Regardless, they deserve a listen and could well be a better known name this time next year. Give For 12 a listen.
4) The atmosphere: Not a band (though no doubt there is a band out there called ‘The Atmosphere’) but the general S?n feeling. All of the venues, and the streets in between, were buzzing each evening as people made their way in to see the latest musical offerings. The S?n staff were all lovely and friendly, as were the crowds (except at The Fall I hear). The spirit that everybody enters into is great and you can find yourself discussing bands with strangers quite easily.
3) Sweet Baboo: This was the second time I’d seen Steve Black, the first time being at S?n 2010, and I was more than ready to see him a second time. He is delightfully odd: self-deprecating, very funny and awkward yet with stage presence and with great songs. He was nominated for the Welsh Music Prize and deservedly so. His songs, usually about girls, have good melodies and better lyrics; quirky, silly, and often beautiful in their relatability. This is definitely one to see live, if just for the banter.
2) Benjamin Francis Leftwich: I was far from convinced about the headliner at Chapter on Saturday night, until I saw him perform. ‘Singer-songwriter’ is not generally my first choice to see at a festival, but there is no denying Ben’s absurd talent. With just his guitar and often not even with a microphone, he held the theatre in complete silence and awe. His songs are a step above the usual fare for such artists, communicating real emotion. Simply, you know how good somebody is when they win you over despite you starting from a negative position.
1) The Joy Formidable: My new favourite band. They had a gong, a working lighthouse and buckets of cool. Swinging in sound between Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Smashing Pumpkins and more laid back stuff; they combine a lot of layered, textured noise with simple, catchy pop-rock riffs and hooks. The album The Big Roar is brilliant, not a single average song on it and a lot of highlights (including A Heavy Abacus, Cradle, I Don’t Want To See You Like This and Whirring). As a live band they were amazing, lead singer Ritzy Bryan so energetic as a singer and guitarist, and going to town on a gong. I hope I get to see them live again soon, but in the meantime their album will be on repeat.
What were your highlights? Comment below...
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