Splendour: Ash
EVEN though it was London boys Madness who were the bill-toppers, there was much for the Irish to take pride in – from the retro rockabilly of Imelda May to party boys The Pogues.
And headlining the Big Top, as the penultimate band, were Ash, second only to Madness for the sheer number of familiar tunes.
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Ash at Splendour 2009
Hundreds packed the tent and spilled out on to grass, blocking the path of those trying to make their way to stand in a toilet queue.
"It's the place to be", said Tim Wheeler, Ash frontman and guitarist, who looked like he was genuinely enjoying himself.
WATCH ZOE KIRK INTERVIEWING ASH AND MORE BACKSTAGE AT SPLENDOUR:
They went back to early hits like Kung Fu "dedicated to our friend Shane McGowan" said Wheeler, "he's a black belt" and Girl From Mars, the thrashy pop single that turned many people on to the band.
Not that Ash are on a nostalgia trip of any sort. In 2009 they've undertaken to break a record by releasing 26 singles, one every two weeks.
Whether that will put them back on top or not remains to be seen but they've a vast catalogue to comfortably draw on to keep hundreds happy. As they proved last night.
2 Comments
by Anon, Nottm
Monday, July 20 2009, 2:37PM
“I too, have to agree that Ash were by far the best performance and think the tent gave it that intimate feel. However, my enjoyment was ruined by people throwing beer and crowd surfing. While I have come to expect this behaviour at proper concerts I do not think at a family event, that it was appropriate. There were children in the tent.”
by Tom Abdy, Lenton
Monday, July 20 2009, 8:41AM
“Ash were certainly the highlight of a great day for me. Opening with Girl From Mars right through to Burn Baby Burn, their set was quality and like the reviewer says, they really seemed to enjoy themselves. Maybe it was because it was in the tent, but I thought it was the best atmosphere of any of the bands all weekend. Thanks to the City Council for putting on Splendour and I'm looking forward to next years festival already!”