Guildford 2001 Review - Friday

Friday starts at a civilised 6-00pm. The site isn't busy yet, but for those who have made it along for the opening acts the space to stretch out and relax is welcomed. Old Radio One stalwart, Janice Long, opens proceedings by introducing London-based, girl fronted indie upstarts, Fuzz Light Years. Looking a little late 70's (the decade, not her age) in big glasses and a post-punk barnet, Turner sips and smokes through the opening instrumental, before running through a short catalogue of janglies, including 'Interstellar Operator' - disquietingly reminiscent of something I bought in 1982 and then chucked out in 1985... what goes around comes around.

Alabama 3 cause the usual technical problems for the stage crew. The South Londoners' seven strong posse belies their name, and you know that they will always be on a few minutes later than scheduled. Larry, D.Wayne Love (broad Scots accent totally masked by the Southern Yankee preacher drawl) and the good ole' boys cruise through 'Woke Up', 'U Don't Dans 2 Tekno', 'Too Sick to Pray' and 'Mao Tse Tung' amongst others. "Countrypolitan - if you'll excuse the term", was D. Wayne's take on their style - but would you take any heed of a man who uses phrases like "Photocosmic and phosphorescent Larry"?

It was almost a shame that I stayed for the whole set because it meant that I only got to catch the last track in Peppercorn's show over on the smaller Aladdin's Cave stage. Not only a photogenic band with great stage presence, but Peppercorn herself can really write and sing. A bit of quick web research turned up a new album (Free Love) which should find its way home soon. It's finds like this that make festivals so special.

Next up on the main stage are Tindersticks, and whilst the music is okay, it's not really my cup of Tetley. There's plenty out there who appreciate Stuart Staple's thoughtful lyrics and vocals, but ten years into recording, he still looks like he takes himself far too seriously for my liking.

But of course even without the Mega Corp sponsorship, there still has to be the obligatory Big Name headliner. Jarvis had been wandering around the arena all evening as he usually does, and you have to respect people who are as recognisable as he is, for doing this. Pulp were responsible for the beefed-up fencing from last year, as organisers feared a ticketless invasion, but given some of the crowd problems at other events recently then you can't blame them for being a little cautious.