The Feeling - Supported by Ghosts @ Westonbirt
Still suffering from our Glastonbury hangover we donned our wellies and macs to trudge off to Westonbirt on Saturday 30th June 2007.
With Ming the Merciless in charge of all weather this year we knew that we were in for a soggy time of it - so could The Feeling supported by Ghosts pull it off? and what about the venue? we know that Westonbirt is a stunning Arboretum but could it properly support a concert of this nature?
We didn't know much of Ghosts work so would they be a fitting support act or would it just be something to put up with before the main course?
How about all those little organisational issues? would security be on the mark for this gig? would we have something to keep us going while we waited? what about the food and drink? would there be enough toilets?
As with so many of our fellow concerts goers - we'd paid our money and we weren't going to let a little thing like rain put us off seeing the act we wanted to see - and fortunately neither were the organisers or the acts - the show must go on!
We were in for a real pleasant surprise when Ghosts stepped out - what can we say about these guys? - they wasted no time in connecting with a crowd who had been waiting patiently in the rotten weather and who had largely come out to play to see the Feeling - many hadn't even heard of Ghosts and had no idea what to expect - but this didn't stop the guys from bouncing on stage like they owned the place and as a result they had the crowd with them from the start - with highly infectious, catchy music that made us all forget where we were and the fact that it was raining!
Ghosts have good stage presence and make good use of the stage - it's so important that bands remember this because even when you're quite close to the stage it's often still really difficult to see - bands who know this and move around a lot are winners in our book! Ghosts knew how to use the stage space and as a result we got a performance instead of just a boring reproduction of their songs - they knew how to connect and that the connection matters - Ghosts seem to effortlessly and instinctively know this and know how to use it to their advantage.
Ghosts are an interesting band with huge potential - we were won over after the first song - these guys are vibrant, cheeky, talented and going places fast - they have that 'feel good factor' - we were really glad we had the chance to see them at Westonbirt because we don't think they will be supporting for long - they are so going to be the main act.
Ghosts set consisted of:
Further And Further Away
Musical Chairs
Stop
Stay The Night
Don't Cha
Mind Games
Ghosts
The World Is Outside
Temporary
Their rendition of Don't Cha went down a storm - they won over a lot of people at Westonbirt and now have a lot of new fans!
Whilst Ghosts are an indie act they do tend to defy and transcend genre - this is an act that will attract a very wide audience - and deservedly so - Ghosts are attracting attention - have a listen - you can't help but like these guys and we think you're going to be hearing much, much more in the very near future. Their debut album 'The World is Outside' is out in the shops - we think you'll like it - it's infectious!
Westonbirt Arboretum is owned and managed by the Forestry Commission - they have been putting on gigs for a few years now. The Arboretum is a truly magical place to visit and lends itself well to hosting gigs.
Having said that there were a number of areas that could be improved for future gigs, when you arrive at the venue there are stewards everywhere directing you to park - this means that you have to park where you're told and don't have any choice - fine until it comes to getting out of the place! Now Westonbirt clearly know there is a problem as we were told before the music started that we 'needed to be patient as it takes time to get everyone out' - accepted - but why were there no stewards to direct the free for all that ensued? why were we stuck in the car not moving for a full hour? why is this issue not being addressed - it really can ruin a great gig.
The food concessions were truly poor - surely Westonbirt could command some better food to have on offer? instead we were faced with the usual overpriced burgers and chips which were the order of the day and the quality of these were poor, we ended up with an insipid overpriced chav burger - come on Westonbirt - attention to detail.
Security appeared competent but there were no searches made other than one guy asking me if I had a handbag under my poncho - but he didn't check. As we handed in our tickets the guy asked if he could keep out ticket stubs as he 'collected' them - a quick minutes thought in case we needed to get out gave us the obvious answer. They did seem hot on stopping people getting on shoulders and putting up brolly's though! Easy crowd for them to deal with.
Why were there no video screens? not easy to see - I don't know about you guys but to be honest for me every gig I go to I get the tall guy in front of me! We had appalling weather and nothing to do - the support act didn't come on until 7-45 - it really was boring standing there from 6pm in those conditions - a video screen and some decent sounds would have made the wait so much easier and more pleasant - is there any reason why this can't happen in the future?
And so to The Feeling - the headline act and the one that we'd all braved the elements to see - and what a stonking great show they put on - from start to finish we were treated to number after number of quality singalong hits - plus a couple of amazing covers including Biggles 'Video Killed The Radio Star' and Queen's 'Fat Bottomed Girls'
The Feeling are absolute masters at commanding a stage - holding the crowd in the palm of their hands and using that whole stage to its maximum potential - as we've already said there are too many bands who seem to forget to do this.
The Feeling played to the crowd at Westonbirt as if they were playing to a huge stadium - and what's more they seemed to love what they were doing - this came across in their performance - they loved it and we loved them for it. All the hits were there - Never Be Lonely, Fill My Little World etc.
OK - so this isn't music that's gonna set the world alight - it isn't challenging and it isn't political - it does what it says - it's catchy, feel good, singalong poptastic stuff - these guys excel at what they do. They know how to engage their audience and they do it with ease all the way through the show.
The Feeling are dramatic and theatrical - we think they have a lot more depth and potential than they're widely given credit for and are surprised at some of the snotty 'arty farty' reviews we've seen on this band - The Feeling are a hugely talented bunch of guys who know how to entertain - it's impossible to feel miserable with these guys - it's happy stuff guaranteed to please - and the crowds they pull are testament to this.
Ever professional - the energy and enthusiasm of The Feeling is utterly compelling and infectious - their relaxed aura on stage comes across well as the guys alternate between the real bouncy numbers and the more quietly considered ones - we were delighted with the set they did which was over far to soon - would we go see them again - hell yes - these guys are going to surprise us - they have mucho talent and untapped potential - we don't think you should overlook the talent on offer here.
Go see for yourself - you just can't help but sing along.... they sure fill your little world!
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