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[Originally posted @ insidenokiamusic.com]

Somewhere in between Glastonbury and the work I’ve had to catch up as a result of being away for it, The Smashing Pumpkins sneaked this beauty in below my radar and as a result, I feel a little violated for missing out on a few extra days of absolute bliss!

If you haven’t heard Freak yet, the first track from Vol.2 of the one-track-at-a-time mega 11 EP 44 song project Teargarden By Kaleidyscope then do yourself a favour and stop reading this, do not pass go, do not collect $200 and listen to it immediately!…

Thu 8 Jul – Summer Series at Somerset House - Mystery Jets

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It came as a lovely surprise a couple days earlier to learn that I had a ticket to see Mystery Jets at Somerset House. Though never exploring the band before, having heard praise of their live performance and finally getting the opportunity to experience a gig at Somerset House on a beautiful summer’s evening was enough to make one’s self rather up for the occasion.

Due to the ease of stage/bar/bathroom access, there was no chore in finding a comfortable, uncrowded space to stand between the headliner…

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Slash didn’t disappoint, never seen the man in the flesh, but this one was merely novelty factor for me. I don’t like Velvet Revolver and don’t like much Guns N’ Roses… and I have a particular distaste for Sweet Child O' Mine.

None the less, the aforementioned was a massive crowd pleaser and I did enjoy Civil War and set closer Paradise City of the G’N R tunes. I did expect some special guests as Slash’s new album is riddled with them, and I had a hope on for Wolfmother’s Andrew Stockdale, but they were a…

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Muse at Glastonbury this year has long been set as the “one to watch”. I overheard one say to another “Muse tomorrow, I don’t give a f*** if I don’t see anybody else” and another say “watching them will make you a fan”… But tonight there’s more to it than that, as this is Muse’s first Glastonbury appearance since the tragic passing of drummer Dom Howard’s father, shortly after watching the band perform their greatest show to the date.

As much as I prayed and danced around in circles for things to go the way I predicted them to…

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The Dead Weather!… What can I say!?

Possibly my favourite performance at Glastonbury’s 40th. I’m ridiculously obsessed with The White Stripes, my Raconteurs collection is immaculate and I own the UK and Australian “A” pressing of Steady As She Goes 7″, What’s not to love about Queens Of The Stone Age, and Alison Mosshart is a fox!

Do I know both Dead Weather albums back to front?… No, about 50/50! But sonically, creatively and visually, they’re a force to be reckoned with, I love Jack White, and Alison Mosshart is a fox!

I guess I just…

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With Glastonbury I had intentions of blogging about the days performances at the end of every night or between sets. But lets face it, the place is massive, the heat this year was unbearable, and there’s a million things to see and do. So by now I’m sure you’ve all read some really negative reviews about the highly anticipated Gorillaz set, but allow me to tell you what I think…

Sure, the performances weren’t perfect. A couple of times Damon Albarn must have thought there was another measure before he had to start singing, On Melancholy Hill was poorly…

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After some crowd commotion I stand to see Michael Eavis take the mic to introduce “two superstars”. Unable to make out who the solitary figure on the stage is, I’m asked by the nearest person if I can see. I promptly take a peek through my 100-400 lens and am utterly gobsmacked to realise it’s none other than Thom Yorke, which immediately prompts the question “Who’s the other superstar?”

After an introductory lap with no sign of the second artist, Yorke takes his place at an upright piano for the title track from his solo debut The Eraser…

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Failing to catch the end of Snoop’s set after choosing to watch Kele instead, I reach the Pyramid Stage about half way through Vampire Weekend.

They’re a band I liked the minute I heard the cross stick snare work in the intro to Mansard Roof back in 2007, but they’re also one of those bands I never took the chance to completely explore… But by some twist of fate I’m lucky enough to get there just in time to catch the songs I know, beginning with A-Punk.

Still orbiting the crowd perimeter and heading to the location…

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The trouble with Glastonbury is having to make choices. It’s not something I’m hugely fond of in everyday life, never mind when it comes to choosing who’s set to watch… and so it all comes down to logistics.

Having suffered from near heat exhaustion the day before with 5 treks between my tent on the western perimeter and the parking area way beyond the eastern perimeter, my choice becomes obvious as the John Peel tent entices me with it’s offering of sanctuary from the blazing sun, and a chance to see Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke’s solo incarnation.

Now…

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Remember when Rihanna rocked the London O2 Arena on her Last Girl On Earth Tour a couple weeks back?… Well we managed to get a camera crew backstage to hang with your girl Ri and her crew. Check out our exclusive 3 minute documentary here. We also have loads more exclusive footage from the European leg of the tour coming your way, so don’t be a stranger and check back soon!

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