Take
a look at that line-up and you will notice some of music's biggest alternative
artists. We have 90s indie giants and 80s post punk stars performing on the
same stage - modern composers and eclectic artists from all fields of music
ranging from (Beefhearts’) The Magic Band to the sweet folk music of Joanna
Newsom. Just looking at the line-up makes me want to go, no matter what, it
can't be missed. It's not always that simple when the festival is located in
Somerset. Yes, Minehead's very own Butlins, which has been the location for music’s
biggest alternative names over the years; you wouldn't have thought it. All
year round it's a tacky town for sunbathers craving for fake beaches and
overpriced cider, but during ATP, It's surreal.
This
was a three day festival with a capacity of 5,500. I understand the differences
between ATP: Jeff Mangum and say... Glastonbury. These huge festivals have
commercial artists leading the bill, with the eclectic supply of P4K gravy
train artists playing on smaller stages. ATP is quite simply an intimate
festival for the serious music listener. Not many people could recognise this line-up,
it may seem silly to me and you, but how many people do you know listen to The
Apples In Stereo or Half Japanese... The Raincoats, Scratch Acid, The Music
Tapes, or Jeff Mangum???
So
I'm frustrated from the lack of coverage. The festival has now passed and
people have returned to their everyday lives, spreading the good word to
anybody they see fit. The coverage has been non-existent. I managed to find one
review (Which didn't even mention Jeff Mangum.) Stereogum posted a story this
morning which read; "Over the weekend, the Jeff Mangum-curated
ATP festival went down in Butlins, Minehead, UK, and as a result there’s some
footage out there from the likes of Joanna Newsom, Low, and the Fall. We’ll
update as necessary". 'as necessary'... AS NECESSARY!!
I'm
annoyed that none of the big players have sent reporters or cameras to this
festival. Pitchfork especially should be covering this. At least write a story,
Jeff Mangum is here for god’s sake. It's not every day you can see
Low, Joanna Newsom, and Boredoms on the same night. Then
sleep and see Scratch Acid, The Magnetic Fields, and Jeff Mangum the next
day. I was expecting an array of reviews, but instead I had to read the four
last.fm comments on the festival page. Music journalists, where are you...
Shocking.
~Eddie Gibson
~Eddie Gibson
