Manics Headline Festival No.6 on Sunday 15th September.

[Takk]

Less of that please.

[FacelessSenseOfVoid]

Sorry

[Abstract Unknown Girl]

Well yesterday was a bit of an endurance test, I have to say! The weather was utterly AWFUL. It was a real shame actually, because I imagine it would have been a completely different experience wandering round the village/beach/woods in the sunshine, but because of the lashings of rain, it was a pretty miserable experience and we didn't really get to see that much of the surroundings. I was glad of the cover in the cinema (well I say 'cinema', it was basically a wooden hut with a screen on the wall) to watch the uncut version of Culture, Alienation, Boredom and Despair before the main stage area opened.

Also agree with the comments about bad organisation. There were no signs for anything; we had no idea where the main stage area even was and it took a bit of aimless wandering round to find it. We wouldn't have known where the cinema was unless Franny had told us (thanks for that by the the way!). There weren't many stewards around to ask and despite the FN6 Twitter page mentioning an information point, I had no idea where that was either. We didn't know for certain which tent the Manics were in, but as we got closer we spotted some Manics gig regulars queuing by the entrance and the fact we could hear the band soundchecking kind of gave it away I don't think their ticket checking system worked properly either. No one really asked to see our park and ride ticket when we arrived at Porthmadog; they just wanted to see our festival tickets, which were exchanged for wristbands. Then when we arrived on the bus, no one actually checked to see if we had wristbands...until we were queuing for the buses to leave AFTER the festival was over! Why would we be queuing for the park and ride if we hadn't been to the festival? And speaking of the buses, they really needed to lay more on after the Manics finished. We were queuing for about 30-45 minutes, I felt dreadful from overtiredness/migraine and the waiting really didn't help. I didn't witness any bag checks either, which surely is a must at most big music events these days (even if they are a bit irritating and OTT sometimes). I know the weather can't be helped, but I think holding an event in the location it is at this time of year is risking it a bit. We've had a pretty good summer overall up until a couple of weeks ago, when it's turned more autumnal, so holding the festival a month or two earlier would be better. You can tell it's a relatively new festival; I think they've still got a lot to learn really.

I promise this whole post isn't moaning though! I actually enjoyed most of the line-up on the main stage. We were on the barrier for the whole lot (I didn't really intend to do it like that tbh...yes I wanted to be at the front, but we still managed to get to the front at Leeds festival in 2008 at the end of the act before the Manics came on, but there wasn't really anything else to do and at least the stage was under cover in case the heavens decided to open again). I Am Kloot weren't bad (random fact that probably would only interest massive John Simm fans like me, but I realised it was one of their videos he appeared in quite recently); for some reason I used to think they were a young, NME-type band, but was pleasantly surprised to see they were older. Johnny Marr was enjoyable enough, even though I'm not a fan of The Smiths...largely due to the fact I can't get passed the fact Morrissey is a complete and utter dick. They do have some good songs beneath that though I suppose and I can appreciate the significance of seeing a musical icon like him live, even if I'm not a huge fan myself. Also quite weird to see one of the Manics' influences on the bill below the Manics covering I Fought The Law by The Clash, another big influence of the Manics.

As for Chic, well I thought they were brilliant! So much fun and not something I would have seen under normal circumstances. I had no idea Nile Rodgers has written so many big songs for other artists, especially Let's Dance by David Bowie. It was nice to see Nile Rodgers watching Johnny Marr from in front of the barrier and then Johnny Marr returned the favour and was watching Chic stage-side as well. I couldn't stop laughing at the end of Chic's set though when the security people were ushering off the group of people (presumably either VIPs or festival volunteers) who'd been invited on stage to dance with the band, whilst the Manics' crew looked massively unimpressed and were rushing around to get all the equipment sorted. Meanwhile, Nile Rodgers was happily still dancing at the front of the stage to Get Lucky and waving at the crowd Definitely not your usual Manics support band experience.

I was a bit worried how the Manics would go down with the crowd after the spectacle of Chic (the two female singers could teach Nicky a thing or two about glamour), but it was all fine. Although what was with all the tiny children being shoved on the barrier by their parents? I had various kids next to me throughout Johnny Marr and the Manics; the one during the Manics was lifted over the front and allowed to sit on the step of the barrier, causing a bit of disturbance during the band's set, as the security guards were blocking my view whilst they spoke to them and lifted the boy over. Seriously, who brings small children to the front of a rock gig? Luckily the crowd were quite tame, but whether that was due to people being on their best behaviour because children were around, I don't know. I just don't think it's the place for small children.

Anyway, I can't believe I've FINALLY heard Ready For Drowning! One of my favourite Manics tracks and made up for the times the acoustic version was played on the SATT tour at the dates I wasn't at. I thought James might have done it acoustically this time as well, but was glad we got the full band version.

I also loved hearing 30 Year War, seen as that wasn't played at Newport. By the way, to those saying they played Holy Is The Soil instead of 30 Year War at Newport because the crowd 'voted', I don't think they really did vote. I was at the front and couldn't hear anyone shouting loudly for either in particular. Both songs were listed on the paper setlist and I think they just went with which one they wanted to play on the night (pretty sure James and Nicky spoke to each other away from the mics at this point as well). They never normally do requests, so I don't see why they would start now.

I still think my highlight of the new material is Rewind The Film. It sounds absolutely massive and Sean's drumming comes through a lot more live than on record. Also enjoyed This Sullen Welsh Heart, although James didn't look happy with the way his guitar sounded for most of it. He kept gesturing to the side to have it turned up a bit, but kept shaking his head afterwards as if something wasn't right...although to the untrained ear, it sounded fine to me.

From a shallow point of view, I was glad James actually took his jacket off this time (seen as he wore it for the entire gig at Newport). He may have been in all black yet again, but he wears it so well

So yes, overall I loved the Manics and it was worth it just to hear Ready For Drowning and 30 Year War and I enjoyed the other acts I saw too. But, I don't think I'll be going back to the festival again. I'm not a keen festival goer at the best of times, but I was willing to give this a go. But one thing I loathe about big events is bad organisation, so once is enough for me I think.

I'll post some photos when I finally get back home tomorrow. Oh and also, whilst James and I were in one of the village shops buying a poncho for James, a guy who presumably posts on here said hello to us...I am really sorry, I had no idea who you were! At first I was like 'why is this random person talking to us?', but he knew James was a Cardiff City fan, so it must have been someone from here. So apologies for being a bit stand-offish. I fail at recognising people from this forum

[mar]

Thanks for this super review AUG!

[*Found That Soul*]

Great gig much better than Newport. But as many have said the organisation was terrible. We decided not to wait for the shuttle bus and instead took the 50 minute walk back to the car park.

30 year war was the highlight for me. Should be a single.

[Scarecrow]

Originally Posted by Radiomanic

Found it mostly very easy until we got there, was driving of course but once at the park & ride there was a shuttle bus immediately and it took 5 minutes to get to the site. Once there though the main issue was the lack of any signage, so it was really difficult to know where to go.

I'd go back as it was a nice place despite the bad weather and seemed really relaxed, but i'd never get a train there. Portmadog station is walkable from the site, but the trains are irregular and take an age to get anywhere.

As astrogirl accurately observed, they must assume everyone comes in car, and even then it seemed badly signed. The whole "go to Bangor, it's the nearest main station where you can get the bus, which you'll need for the wristband" thing was completely pointless.

[sparklytiara]

Amazing gig the festival had a great atmosphere. Managed to get a bus from Bangor station to Porthmadog then a shuttle bus straight to the site so didn't encounter any issues despite not having a car.

[Scarecrow]

Originally Posted by sparklytiara

Amazing gig the festival had a great atmosphere. Managed to get a bus from Bangor station to Porthmadog then a shuttle bus straight to the site so didn't encounter any issues despite not having a car.

By jove, count your lucky stars! In retrospect, every time me and sculptureofabloke do a Manics tour, there's a shambolic element to it, so they probably saw us coming and cancelled the buses once you'd got there safe and sound.

It's only just occurring to me that the sound was very loud for Manics, I dread to think what it was like for My Bloody Valentine. I've witnessed some extremely piercing volumes from them in the past, but I didn't spot any children at those gigs.

[Takk]

I always remember the time I tried to walk to Portmeirion from the main road, because the sign said 'half mile'....i guess the half mile was to the turning .

[Scarecrow]

Originally Posted by Takk

I always remember the time I tried to walk to Portmeirion from the main road, because the sign said 'half mile'....i guess the half mile was to the turning .

I always wondered if I'd ever end up wandering through the countryside to get to a Manics gig. The things we do for this band...

[Abstract Unknown Girl]

Originally Posted by NasalScarecrow

It's only just occurring to me that the sound was very loud for Manics, I dread to think what it was like for My Bloody Valentine. I've witnessed some extremely piercing volumes from them in the past, but I didn't spot any children at those gigs.

I found it really loud for all the acts actually. My ears were ringing last night despite wearing earplugs! Don't think the kids next to me had any ear protection on, until one of the security guards offered a pair of those foam ones to the boy who got lifted over the barrier.

[sofarsideways]

I have renamed this Shamblefest '13. I will expand on this later.

[franny]

Originally Posted by sofarsideways

I have renamed this Shamblefest '13. I will expand on this later.

They tried to buy our love by handing out free sparkling water on the bus back to the park and ride today, no.

[astrogirl]

Feel I should stick up for Festival Number 6 a bit - I had an almost universally positive experience and absolutely loved the atmosphere of the festival as well as the ambitious and imaginative content. They really did fall down on the logistics though and I completely sympathise with everyone who was affected by that. I'm sure they will get plenty of feedback from this year and hopefully factor that in to planning for next year. I would love to go again if the line-up is decent. I suspect being there for the whole festival helped, as by Sunday I knew what was what and so could relax and enjoy Manics day

They were amazing... I'm exhausted, so will elaborate tomorrow!

[astrogirl]

Originally Posted by NasalScarecrow

It's only just occurring to me that the sound was very loud for Manics, I dread to think what it was like for My Bloody Valentine. I've witnessed some extremely piercing volumes from them in the past, but I didn't spot any children at those gigs.

I have never experienced anything like the noise at MBV. And I had fancy muso earplugs in, but even they don't help when your entire body is shaking from the volume! We did spot some kids - they had ear defenders on, but still...