As the festival season draws to a close (but one that sadly didn’t include Glastonbury, as it’s having a ‘fallow year’ 😢) I was again reminded that festivals are fabulous value, despite what can be a high face value for a ticket. One to three days of multiple stages with different acts performing all day long providing choice, as well as a mix of established and newer acts, for much the same price as a single evening at the O2, Hyde Park, Wembley Stadium etc. I went to All Points East for the first time – a really well organised event, with about 8 hours of music across 6 stages. They also host different genres on separate days, to there’s something for everyone, and my pick (with friends) was the ‘rock’ day. Yes, a little heavy for me at times, but the standout act (it’s the same every time I see them at a festival) was Idles (pic, below left). They played a typically energetic and captivating 60 minutes, and had the crowd in the palm of their hands. And of the lesser known bands on the smaller stages, special mention should go to Tooth and Concrete Vehicles. Overall it was a top day all round, as festivals should be, but the dry UK weather over the past 3 months meant the dust was choking. Must take a bandana next time!
Alternative Friday 