ATP Nightmare Before Christmas - days 1 & 2

Short blog entry this time due to a busy weekend at ATP, but I've been ruminating on the bands I've seen so far: Primal Scream and Buzzcocks. Both cracking sets from venerable institutions, and both polished performances. I saw Primal Scream about 15 years ago in Leeds and Friday's show was significantly more competently performed with less baseless bravado. I've never seen the Buzzcocks before, but I can only imagine that was a much more seamless performance than they used to deliver 'back in the day'. And here's my problem - it sometimes feels like an element of danger is missing from these 'greatest hits' performances. The logical conclusion of this is the increasing trend for playing entire albums. Safe shows for consumers, rather than fans, of music.

Contrast this with three of the bands who played on Saturday. Sonic Youth resolutely refused to play any of their hits - so no Kool Thing, no 100%. Most of the set was from the new album, with back catalogue represented by a couple of tracks from Daydream Nation and a stunning finale of Death Valley 69. My Bloody Valentine don't have a lot of new material, but it would be difficult to call that a 'rerun of their hits' - the sheer noise level made it too much of a visceral experience. (Pity about the dB level really, it's a bit gimmicky, and actually masks what are brilliant melodies and chord changes.) By far the best live experience was Sun Ra's Arkestra. Amazing visual spectacle, fantastic musicians. Yes, much of the music they were playing was first conceived in the 1950's, but the sheer invention was extraordinary. And that's what makes a performance truly memorable.

Florence and The Machine: Lungs & Bat for Lashes: Two Suns

As a means of getting through the full set of Mercury nominees before the next lot are announced, I'm running a back to back review of Bat for Lashes and Florence & The Machine's offerings. These acts are filed in the same mental pigeon hole in my brain - kooky women vocalists. I should mention at this point, that's a good place.

I've always thought that Florence was stealing Natasha Bat's thunder a bit, but I guess being in the right place at the right time counts for a lot. Perhaps Natasha was a bit ahead of her time... Anyway, Florence being the pundits favourite, I expect great things.