Looking into the future at the King Tut's tent on Sunday afternoon.
The Futureheads are clearly having a ball at this year's T.
Yes, yes, so every act insists that "this is the best festival
in the world!" but Sunderland's finest look as if they
might just bet their lives on the fact.
There is a sense of deja vu due to the fact that the band nearly
tore the King Tut's Tent apart this time last year, and they
look set to do the same again. With bells on.
With a second album - News and Tributes - to push, the boys
don't rest on their laurels, trying out a bunch of new tunes.
'Skip to the End' has the desired effect, prompting some serious
pogoing.
While last year was all about the harmonies, thundering rhythmns
are the current dominant theme. The band's technique is to go
mental for three minutes, stop, breathe and grin at each other
like schoolgirls. Guitarist and singer Ross is compere for the
day, checking in after every song to make sure everyone's as
happy as they are.
As they furiously hammer out chords, they're like a happy,
bouncy (slightly better fed) Joy Division - if such a thing
could ever exist. 'A to B' is a particular highlight in a cracking
display of new wave nu-wave.
There are a few moments which echo 2005, but it would frankly
be cruel to deny fans the chance to play their favourite game
with their favourite band - a glorious sing-a-long-a Hounds
of Love. They'll be back next year, they promise - maybe they'll
be able to up the stakes again.
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