Top Rumours of End of The Road 2008
1. It’s gone so well that next year there is going to be a ‘Beginning of the Road’
2. Herman Dune are doing a secret set/ playing with the Wave Pictures/ Jeffrey Lewis/ Kimya Dawson
3. Bob Log III is: Tom Waits/ Thomas Truax Really? Come on……
4. Tom Waits/ Sufjan Stevens is headlining next year
Probably the most traditionally folk sounding act on the bill, Son’s of Noel and Adrian fill the stage with strings, flutes, clarinets, horns and guitars. While not exactly uplifting the interweaving of the intricate guitars creates an amazing texture, and as layer builds on layer they can be quite moving. As a side note, their cello player now holds the records for playing in or with the most bands at the festival, having played in Son’s of Noel and Adrian, Shoreline, The Accidental, his own band The Miserable Rich and in David Thomas Broughton’s band as well.
At first I was surprised to see the Wave Pictures were playing the main stage at End of the Road. However, any doubts were erased as soon as they took the stage, with ‘Love You Like A Madman’ drawing smiles and dancing from a crowd that took the band to their hearts. The same can be said of former Moldy Peach Kimya Dawson, who bought two young friends along to accompany her on Cello and Uke. Having just released an album of children’s songs her set was surprisingly personal and at times quite moving. But that didn’t stop her appealing to the large crowd to go over to the Bimble Inn to see her husband Angelo Spencer later in the day, in order to scare him.
It is perhaps testiment to the strength in depth of the End of the Road lineup that the rest of the day is spent running from stage to stage catching bits of lots of different things. A little bit of Jason Molina, a quick trip to see the turbo charged blues from the space-helmeted, mirrored jump suited one man band that is Bob Log III, a pinch of Billy Childish (covering ‘Fire’ by Jimi Hendrix no less), more big band action from Canadian Sufjan-alikes Woodpigeon, Rockabilly twang and epic songwriting from Richard Hawley (who started his laid back, Radio 2 friendly set with the phrase ‘Lets get ready to Ballad’…top marks for that one), and then back over to see Darren Hayman and Jack play Hefner songs, while wearing a Wu Tang Clan t-shirt and telling off the hardcore Hefner fans for being boring. All was forgiven during the singalong finale to ‘The Day that Thatcher Dies’ though. Whilst on the subject of the depth of the line-up, I did hear a choice quote while in the Rough Trade stall, as one woman turned to her friend and said ‘I hope they don’t put the price up here next year, as I always end up spending twice as much on new records!”
As the sun went down on the final day of End of the Road 2008, it was left to Tindersticks to take us into the dwindling hours. Complete with String and brass sections there soulful brand of melancholy and Stuart Staples distinctive voice proved the perfect fit, and proved to be the highlight of the festival. As fire lanterns lit up nights sky and Calexico’s brass gently wafted over the Dorset valleys as we drove away all seemed peaceful.
It looks like it might be time to start a petition for ‘Begining of the Road’ after all.
