Jo Whiley

Radio 1’s Biggest Weekend: Coventry

May 27, 2018 — Leave a comment

It’s the last day of the Biggest Weekend, and certainly the biggest one that the Beeb have pulled off and what a musical extravaganza. What’s definitely been great about it, especially in Swansea, was the number of female artists performing and not long after the 50/50 Gender Pledge was promised. The female artists taking part was no exception; Rita Ora, Stefflon Don, Clean Bandit, Demi Lovato who was joined by Puerto Rican star Louis Fonsi who is equally as incredible and definitely has the voice to match. The day continued with Hailee Steinfield, Camila Cabello, formerly of Fifth Harmony who managed to win over the crowds and prove herself as a solo artist. Other ladies to storm the stage were Jessie Ware, Anne Marie, Jax Jones who was joined by another sensational female artists Raye and our very one Jess Glynne.

What’s great about this is that at a time when the lack of female artist on band bills has been mentioned on the news earlier this year is that having several female artists can actually work can that it’s capable of pulling big crowds. After todays’ band lists in Swansea there’s very little excuse for a lack of female representation at any major festival.

 I  O

Over in Coventry there were some incredible performers by Snow Patrol and veteran rockers The Selector who still know how to put on a show, even now.

Liam Gallagher, the other half of the Gallagher brothers closed the night with his new band Beady Eye mixture but still did performed songs from his Oasis days. Rock ‘N’ Roll Star, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory, Greedy Soul, Wall of Glass, Bold, Some Might Say, D’ Ya Know What I Mean, Come Back to Me and You Better Run. No matter you might think of him, and admittedly he might not be your cup of tea, Liam has proved himself to be a worthy musician, singer and songwriter and that he can survive post Oasis (and Noel). Even now he still has his loyal fanbase and can still knows how to attract a new generation. Now I openly admit that I’m not actually in the Liam Gallagher fanbase but even I have to admit that he knows how to get a crowd going, and he definitely breathes rock ‘n’ roll and the crowds like him.

Live links courtesy of Greg James, Alice Levine, Clara Amfo and Jo Whiley

😊 😉

Ed Sheeran @ Glastonbury 2017

June 25, 2017 — Leave a comment
Everyone’s favourite ginger Hip-Hop rock-star Ed Sheeran took to the stage tonight both debuting and headlining the main stage at Glastonbury tonight. Considering that this man was a complete unknown more than 5 years ago he’s come a long way. He Just comes on stage full of energy and is just electrifying to watch as he opened his set with Castle On The Hill. A one-man band Ed treated the crowds to his hit songs including Bloodstream, Galway Girl, Lego House, Eraser and Take It Back/Superstition during his made great use of his rap skills and reminded everyone why he’s a one-man band star in his own right. Seriously this guy’s talents know no bounds, also it’s just him on-stage. The music continued with more songs such as I’m A Mess, Photograph in which he and the crowd sang together. For one of his songs, Nancy Mulligan, he invited a small folk quartette which was really good. Had a an Irish-folk feel to it. Ed continued his set with the incredible Thinking Out Loud, Sing and Shape Of You. He ended both his set and the night with his self-written debut hit You Need Me I Don’t You after by which point the adrenaline was just oozing from all areas. Seriously, Ed ,dude, promise us that’ll you’ll return to Glastonbury at some point. YOU ROCK!!! Live link courtesy of Huw Stephen, Jo Whiley and Shaun Keaveny
Considering that this was it debut it was amazing, electrifying and pure magic, and it’s safe to say we all witnessed something purely incredible. Even whilst wearing the infamous rainbow flag.
Also Barry Gibb, the eldest of the Gibb brothers and of The Bee Gees performed to a massive crowd during the infamous Legends Slot. He played their infamous hit track Stayin Alive which is guaranteed to get the entire crowd moving, even the stage crew took to the photography pit and joined in.
Sadly there won’t be any Glastonbury next due to it’s fallow year, so see you all again in 2019

Radiohead @ Glastonbury 2017

June 24, 2017 — Leave a comment
So, it’s been 20 years since they played at Glastonbury Festival and now they’ve returned and it’s as though they’ve never been away, seriously their set was as electrifying as ever. I still love these guys as strongly as ever and are incredible live and got straight into action with Lucky. Thom Yorke’s vocals are just irresistible and haunting as they performed more of their infamous hits including Just, Bodysnatchers, Street Spirit, Big Ideas (Don’t Get Any) and 2+2=5. By the time by sang their other hit track No Surprises everyone in the crowd (including yours truly) was gagging for more. More songs followed into the night with Paranoid Android, Fake Plastic Trees, Lotus Flower, Creep. Throughout parts of the performance they were bathed in blue and red lighting which oddly enough fitted the moods of the songs. The performance ended on the upbeat Karma Police, at the end of the song the crowd joined in the singing, even after the band had left the stage. This is yet another in a long line of performances that I just cannot bring myself to fault (also co’s I couldn’t find any). Thanks to Jo Whiley and Shaun Keavney for the live link
This will be the third time they’ve appeared at the festival as headliners. They first headlined in 1997, and again in 2003, making them the third band to have done so. Amazing feat in itself.

Muse @Glastonbury 2016

June 25, 2016 — 1 Comment

Just finished watching Muse headline the Main Stage at Glastonbury and my god it was absolutely awesome. As a band they are simply fantastic and practically set the stage alight when performing live they are that good. Introduced by Lauren Laverne and reintroduced by Huw Stephens and the woman who I describe as the 1st Lady of Glastonbury Jo Whiley. They performed many of there hits including Uprising, Supermassive Blackhole, Starlight including their ever infamous (in my opinion) Knights of Cydonia during which they managed to get the crowd to sing along to; I even had a Jack Daniels and Coke at hand (very rock and roll). All I can say is that Muse are one band that I’d happily stay up late for.

Yes, okay I admit that I switch back and forth between this and Graham Norton to catch a glimpse of Iggy Pop. I liked Iggy but I JUST LOVE MUSE!!!!