Summercase 2008

Excuse the wretched delay in writing this. I think I have only now gotten over the hangover induced by a week of partying culminating with me dancing like the Duracell bunny being electrocuted to 2ManyDJs at Summercase in Barcelona. Yes it was quite a sight and all photos have thus been censored by me of said instant. I do have some dignity left.

I have begun like many people here to grumble about our expensive rain-soaked isle on the edge of Europe and looked at greener pastures to be found just a short Ryanair flight away. A personal boycott of the Electric Picnic due to the extortionate ticket price and the fact that I am getting old and find camping bad for my auld back brought me to glorious Barcelona in July for the annual Summercase festival. The line up is more akin to our very own Oxegen, minus the drunken 15 year old skangers with acts such as Primal Scream, Interpol and Kings of Leon. However they throw in a good few mighty fine alternative acts. This year saw Cornelius, Neon Neon and Whitey.

So how was it all? First of all I have to commend the venue. The Parc del Forum is ace. Designed for such events like this you are graced with amphitheatres overlooking the scintillating Mediterranean and mighty solar panels that shade you from the sun. Watching the Raveonettes do “Love in a Trashcan” at 3 in the morning under a tree in one of the amphitheatres was a very pleasurable and relaxing experience. At times you forgot about bands as you sat down with good company and enjoyed the cool breeze from the sea. However there was one major issue, sound. This was a seemingly logistical one. The Breeders were muffled, which was a crying shame as their new album sounds great live. The Deal sisters were their usual jolly selves joking to each other about it. Nevertheless it was sorted for the onslaught which is Kings of Leon. This is a band that keep getting better live. Pounding and tight they blew the audience away. They were certainly one of the highlights of the weekend.

There were many highlights. It is always great to see Blondie and thirty years on are fantastic. Dancing with your boy to “Heart of Glass” was as romantic as music can get. 2ManyDJs always never cease to be fun. It was also great to see CSS graduate from being somewhat a novelty to full on rock band. Their new songs hint at a more mature sound and written for such live shows. Throw in a bit more glitter and you have a whole visual and aural experience that is fun and frivolous. Accidentally bumping into the GOD which is Gruff Rhys made my weekend. I was composed enough to speak to him and not grope him in a very inappropriate manner.

While Summercase will be remembered by myself and my friends as a great festival to others it will be remembered more for the brawl between Kele from Bloc Party and Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols. Apparently a racist jibe dents the overall experience of a festival which has become one of my favourites and at 100 euro one of the cheapest. Next year I shall be back.