With the first proper traces of spring in the air, festival season doesn't seem quite such a vague dream as it was a month or so ago. We’re certainly creeping closer and closer towards June, which will see the first ever two-day edition of Field Day.
For the latest episode of Field Day Radio, the festival’s boss Tom Baker has hot new producer East India Youth in the studio to talk about his new album Total Strife Forever. Click here to listen to the show. We’re looking forward to his set at Field Day alongside a plethora of great artists – check out the full line up here.
In celebration of the latest episode, the Folded Wing team have been reminiscing over some hazy festival memories to choose our favourite ever festival sets. You can find our picks below and we’d love to hear yours too – get in touch on Twitter @FoldedWingUK.
Pete’s Choice
Ray Davies, Glastonbury 2010
"This one was a tough one, too many to choose from, Stevie Wonder, Pulp and Arctic Monkeys at Glastonbury. Neil Young at Rock Werchter, The Cribs at V Festival (I was only 13 at that one, so you can let me off for going to V Festival!) but the one I’m going to pick is Ray Davies at Glastonbury 2010.
A few reasons: it was the exact same time that England were playing Germany in the World Cup and we wanted to see both. We watched the first ten minutes of the football and decided it was going to be too miserable to watch, so we legged it over to the main stage to catch Ray. It was a beautiful Sunny Afternoon (sorry) and was the perfect remedy to our football blues. Plus the girl stood next to us was in for a bit of a shock when her dad walked on as part of Ray’s choir, he didn’t tell her he was performing! It was just a brilliant afternoon, packed with lots of great tunes and sing-a-longs, if you watch the video and you know what I look like you might even spot me, it’s a little bit cringe if I’m honest :)."
Andrea’s Choice
Dead Kennedys, Rebellion 2013
"I was pretty bruised by the third day at Rebellion Festival in 2013, but there was no way on earth I was going to miss getting into the middle of the pit to see Dead Kennedys. Jello Biafra is a legend in punk and it was a brilliant set - never thought I'd hear classics like California Uber Alles sung anywhere outside karaoke, and especially not by the man himself. Even his new stuff was good!"
Micky's Choice
Underworld, Reading 1996
"Nothing but nothing will surpass being at Reading Festival in 96 to see Underworld live. Trainspotting had made them massive to the likes of me. I remember lots and lots of mud - a leaking tent - and watching this set - all memories like it was yesterday. Oh and I lost my wallet but found it at Lost and Found. Reading isn't so bad after all."
Jim's Choice
Pharoah Sanders, The Big Chill 2009
"This was just the perfect moment. It was a glorious sunny Saturday afternoon on the main stage, I was with a big group of mates and we were all having a beer and recovering from a big Friday night. Then Pharoah comes on and plays the most beautiful hour long set, including 'My Favourite Things', 'The Creator Has A Master Plan' and 'You've Gotta Have Freedom'. I may have imagined it but at one point I swear Pharoah did a little moonwalk across the stage, no doubt in tribute to Michael Jackson who had recently passed away. A proper festival moment. And amazingly I've just found a clip of the gig on YouTube, you gotta love the internet."
John's Choice
Kraftwerk, Bestival 2009
"That was the year they had Sci Fi as the fancy dress theme and seeing Kraftwerk headline on the Saturday night, surrounded by thousands of nutters dressed like aliens, robots and astronauts was a pretty special moment."
Lucy's Choice
Patti Smith, End of the Road 2012
"I’m quite a major Patti Smith fangirl and her set at one of my favourite festivals came pretty close to perfect for me. She played as the sun was setting after a glorious Saturday and anyone who’s been to End of the Road will know how beautiful the site is – surrounded by corn fields and with peacocks strutting about. I’d recently read Just Kids so was more in awe of her than ever – such an amazing woman and an incredible performer too."
