Sarah Gill

Strawberry Fields 2013 Review – Sunday

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As the festival was coming to an end, and there was only 1 day of acts to perform, I was excited to see what was coming up during the course of the day. Everyone was still in high spirits, and most people had began drinking again by midday.

The sun was out and everyone was chilling out, probably beginning to get exhausted from the 2 previous evenings. Later on in the day, we went to check out who was on in the big top tent. There was a youngish boy, under the name of New Walk about to begin his set, so we stayed to see what was going on. He introduced himself, saying he was going to play a few songs for us, and we all waited eagerly in anticipation. Nothing could have prepared me for what happened next. Thinking he was going to sing and play the keyboard, all of a sudden the bass kicked in, and out came these dance tunes, cleverly remixed together; he was absolutely incredible and very talented.

The tent soon began to fill up, and people came in raving along to the mix, the smile on his face said he it all; he was very happy that people were receiving him and giving off positive vibes. I definitely think he’s one to watch, and in the near future, could be very successful. Next we headed back to the main stage, as we were aware the humorous Cuban Brothers were coming up shortly. The crowd began to gather for what appeared to be the biggest crowd of the whole weekend. On they came, extravagant as ever wearing bright yellow and blue suits and a bog afro. Everyone began cheering and you could tell the crowd were very excited about this performance. Imitating Geordie accents, telling members of the crowd he wanted to ‘take them to his tent’ and using the quote ‘he is sweating like a blind puff in a hot dog factory’, the crowd were in hysterics. Performing tracks such as ‘Touch the Sky’ by Kanye West, ‘The Ace of Spades’ and ‘We are Family’, they were definitely the favourites of the weekend.

The Cuban Brothers @ Strawberry Fields Festival

It was then on to the headliners The View. Taking a much more laid back approach, they literally came on and started singing. There was no engaging the audience, or saying hello, they just went straight into their set. There is no doubting that these guys are very talented and popular among the crowd, and they gave an outstanding performance.

Strawberry Fields Festival 2013 – Saturday Review

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As if the acts from Friday night didn't leave us excited about the rest of the weekend at Strawberry Fields, Saturday nights music was host to a few hidden gems of talent.

After being approached by the lead singer of These Mortal Cities asking if we could go and take some photos of them playing in the big top stage, we headed down in the afternoon to see what they had in store. Playing under the BBC introducing recommendations, we had high hopes that these were going to be something special, and we were right. The further into their set they got, more people began to fill the tent; dedicating one song to a little girl who was dancing around to their songs. Having a pop feel to their music, reminding me of a young one direction, these guys really got the crowd going, and seemed like genuinely nice people. I have high hopes for them in the future.
 
Later on came Lucy Rose on the main stage, the act performing prior to headliners 'The Enemy'. Sitting gracefully on a stool with her guitar, dressed in a baggy sweatshirt and jeans, she reminded me of an up and coming Taylor Swift; she was certainly a different to the other acts that had been performing throughout the afternoon. Her voice was incredible, with an acoustic chilled out feel, she really captured the audience and the crowds began to flock around her, enticed by her presence on the stage.
 
To follow Lucy were headliners The Enemy. Running 20 minutes late, the crowd was still in good spirit, and it escaped most people's attention that they were yet to appear. It was only one security guard I heard who seemed disappointed in them keeping the crowd waiting. But they appeared, a huge projection of 'The Enemy' filled the background of the stage, and the smoke began to create a rocky atmosphere. Not saying anything to the fans, they went straight into their set, probably aware they were running behind schedule. Their set set included 'Gimme the Sign' and 'Away from Here', to which the crowds were going crazy and a mosh pit began to form. Overall their performance was outstanding.
 
The Enemy @ Strawberry Fields Festival
 
I spoke to a group of people afterwards about what they saw and they said 'They were amazing, definitely worth coming for!'. Lets see what Sunday has to offer now after incredible performances over the last 2 days.

Strawberry Fields Festival 2013 – Friday Review

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The place was getting dark, and as the crowd began to gather round the main stage, eagerly awaiting jaguar skills, what earlier looked like a reasonably empty festival scene soon became a place of chanting and cheering, excited people running to get a spot at the front of the stage ready for the headliners to begin.

As the video game style booth set got wheeled onto the stage, the crowd began to go crazy as the wait for Jaguar Skills was almost over, and the night was about to kick off. The chanting began, people began stamping their feet and clapping their hands; he enters the stage, arms in the air, face covered with a black Balaclava, his opening line 'put your mother fucking hands up'. The party had started.

His set list included some chart toppers, including Kanye West Niggas in Paris, love me again and rhythm is a dancer. About half way through he shouted to the audience 'this is an illegal party'. People began screaming, drinks were sent flying towards the stage and people got on others shoulders and began singing along with the next song 'woo woo that's the sound of the police.' The choice to have Jaguar Skills headlining the Friday definitely got everyone ready for what was in store for the rest of the weekend, and with their outstanding performance, the crowd loved the show they put on,begging for another song at the end of the set.

Jaguar Skills @ Strawberry Fields Festival