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Keynestock 2009 Review
This year’s Keynestock was another fitting example of how to keep a field of 1000+ students entertained. Face painting, an eclectic selection of musical acts, a barbecue and, of course, a steady supply of Pimms, ensured all attendees had a smashing time.
Increasingly I have come to regard Keynestock as being primarily about the people, whilst there are always interesting and talented student acts that play the festival, what makes Keynestock special is seeing all your friends enjoying themselves in the sunshine. Keynestock is a great way to unwind and celebrate after a traumatic few weeks of exams.
This year proved especially interesting for me, as by some bizarre quirk of nature, I received a phone call the day before the festival, asking if I would like to be on the judging panel. Here is a snippet from the telephonic conversation.
“Do I get free drinks?”
“No”
“How about a free burger?”
“I’ll try and swing it for you”
In the end I managed to wangle my way to two complimentary burgers, and the lack of free drinks was no big issue, as naturally I didn’t want alcohol to disturb my enjoyment of the musical acts. Being a judge also entitled me to a purple wristband and a heightened air of self-importance, which I enjoyed, perhaps a little too much.
The highlights of the bill were for me the metal bands, even though it’s not the style of music I usually enjoy, the energetic, cathartic nature of acts like Inertia and Arundhati Riff really got my blood pumping. I also enjoyed the up-beat ska tinged style of Harvey Hyde and the Hecklers and Kieran Mcgrath’s atmospheric, 40-smokes-a-day vocal cords and Dylanesque harmonica playing.
The way we decided the winners was basically a heated argument which at certain points never looked like being resolved. The other judges were from Kent Rock Soc and also Jamie Stephens the erudite, music know-it-all, student media manager. Though the final placings were effectively decided by compromise, the bands we chose fully deserved recognition. The Keynestock 2009 top three were:
1. Bardo Thodol
2. Harvey Hyde & the Hecklers
3. Corduroy Fashion Threat
However, I don’t think its necessary to get too concerned about one band being better than another band. Music is not a competition; there is no Olympic event for a guitar solo, mouth watering as it sounds. Every band or musical act that played Keynestock deserve credit for taking part in a thoroughly enjoyable mini festival. I had a fantastic time, and would like to thank the organizers for making it so.
Listen to the winners here : http://www.myspace.com/bardothodolnoise
Concert photographs are now online at http://gloda.net/20090603-keynestock09 . Check 'em out!
By Anonymous on 3.6.2009
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Well, I think the article's pretty accurate actually. I had a great time all day, just because of the atmosphere - it was more about the people around me than the bands on stage.
I was there from 12 o'clock helping set up and facepainting people, and stayed until the end, so I heard all the bands. I think Bardo Thodol were a good choice, but was slightly saddened that Budgie and Durex didn't get a look in...
By Kim on 1.6.2009
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In my opinion, people should try to move away from generic music. It's a good thing that a band like Bardo Thodol won...they bring something different to the scene which I think is needed especially when there seems to be a lot of generic boring music being pumped out. Whether you like them or not, they deserve to have won as they performed their asses off as well as creating something different. I think to call it a 'moronic choice' just shows that people still would rather listen to the same stuff over and over again. Good thing that there were some judges who understand what good and interesting music is all about.
By Oli on 1.6.2009
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Fuck you all, every band was awful.
By Ant on 1.6.2009
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This is pretty silly really. It's uhhhh just a little Battle of the Bands competition.
Keynestock is well put together and caters for all tastes, so when we came and did our stuff some people liked it and some people didn't. This is to be expected, no? I didn't really enjoy the majority of music that was played that day, but you wouldn't find me bitching about it on the internet if we hadn't won. I respect every act that went on stage on Saturday and I'm surprised that respect isn't universal.
As an afterthought though - perhaps it is best if a band that incorporate a lot of art into their music go on to play an event called 'Artsfest' .
By Jacob Brant on 1.6.2009
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i thought FireFly were pretty sick easily better than bardo thodul..anytakers?
By Anonymous on 1.6.2009
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Jen, if you were there from 6 o'clock,which you're so eager to point out, then you didn't actually see Bardot Thodol's set, which began at 4 o'clock...
Let's have some informed opinions rather than reactionary nonsense.
By Anonymous on 1.6.2009
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Bardot Thodol were by no means amazing, but they held my attention, and the other bands we suggested as winners provoked more hostility than having Bardot Thodol as winners.
By Anonymous on 1.6.2009
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I don't really know what the other judges were listening to, but if you're telling me that they won because they were the 'least bad' they clearly weren't listening to keynestock!! I was there from 6 o'clock and every other band I heard was better than the so-called winners.
Oh and Alex, just because a band's different it doesn't make them good - especially not in this instance...
By Jen on 31.5.2009
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Well then, why were they chosen to win? Winners simply because they were the 'least bad'??
By Dean on 31.5.2009
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Jamie Stephens. We're comin' for ya.
By Jacob Brant on 31.5.2009
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I'm glad Bardot Thodol won, rather than a middle-of-the-road pub rock band. They're something a bit different and should be congratulated.
By Alex on 31.5.2009
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Corduroy Fashion Threat were robbed! They so should have won.
By Anonymous on 31.5.2009
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In my opinion, of the bands we put forward as winners, they were the least bad
By Anonymous on 31.5.2009
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Dean - I'll leave it to the other three to explain their moronic decision as I was dead set against Bardo Whatchamacallit but got totally outvoted...
Ho hum..
By JamieStephens on 31.5.2009
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Can I ask, who decided on the winning band? I, and many others, thought they were Rubbish. That's right, with a capital 'R'. Please please please explain your moronic decision.
By Dean on 31.5.2009
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