ATP Vs The Fans II - Rated!
Butlins Holiday Camp, Minehead - 8-10 May
18 May 2009
Overall - 9/10
People love ATP for the same reasons that others despise it (not
least the Butlins staff). This passionate divide cannot dispute the fact that ATP always has a dependable
line up of quality. A few acts are adored by most of the patrons and then scores of others acts on the bill are loved by a
few diehard fans. This year’s line up for the second ATP Vs The Fans special (ATP
bosses pick one half of the line-up, ticket-holders the other) is more of the same. As usual, Butlins Holiday Camp
in Minehead, Somerset acts as the host for the gathering of music‘s most notoriously snobbish fans.
Getting there and back - 6/10
ATP Fans know a trip to Somerset is
part of the bargain. Minehead is by no means out of bounds but is still awkwardly located for both car and public transport
and the train can be especially expensive. However it still has several things going for it: finding a parking space and traffic
queues. Neither are an issue at such a small event and festival-goers can leave anytime as the timetable of Minehead dictates.
The Site - 6/10
A stay at Butlins never promises great things even when you are about
to sample some of the most exciting leftfield indie around. One can never complain about the chalets or facilities - this
is classier than 99% of festivals - yet, it is always frustrating to know that outside the dingy darkened rooms is a glorious
spring day. I hedge my bets that Beirut would be the perfect gig if staged out on the beach (though maybe not Fuck Buttons). The site is sweetly located to the beach and there are plenty of activities
on offer. Hmmm…bowling or Holy Fuck?
Atmosphere - 7/10
ATP
has a grand tradition of bringing together some of the most passionate and intelligent music fans around. Some sets are sadly
muted as the crowds seem more interested in analysing the music than going crazy and forgetting their inhibitions. Yet, for
the most part the sublime sets are impeccably observed such as Grizzly Bear and the raucous revelled in with
Chk Chk Chk being a prime example.
Music
M83 - 8/10
If you want unstoppable melodrama and beautiful wall of sound noise then ask for
M83 as the soundtrack to your next life affirming moment. The
set balances the M83 of old, for the shoegazers out there, between
the shinier synth pop of the new album ‘Saturday=Youth’ which sounds big and epic as well.
Liam Finn - 7/10
There’s nothing remotely
new or particularly exciting about his music yet live his sound cannot be bettered. All he does is layer guitars, drums and
vocals upon each other. That’s it. Yet, his songs re-invent themselves as mysterious and unique pieces that put him
above 99% of singer songwriters with ordinary songs like ‘Second chance’ transformed into immense emotional affairs.
Fuck Buttons - 7/10
The Bristolians that
hate panto know an easy gig when they see one. A fans’ favourite set that plays most of debut album ‘Street Horrrsing’.
It’s a gorgeous sunset outside apparently but most people would prefer some nihilistic dance noise for 45 minutes. This
is confirmed by a rammed room and some very noisy approval for two men with laptops.
Edan - 8/10
Has anyone made a better leftfield hip hop album than ‘Primitive Plus’
since the new millennium began? Edam as one rather drunk punter insists on calling him is given free reign over the Friday
night party for two hours which fly by thanks to a healthy dose of psychedelic noise, leftfield samples and some sick beats.
Errors - 8/10
Despite making two sublime dance
records in three years, Errors
still remain relatively unknown to the common dance fan. This is a set taking the finest from their two albums with both ‘Mr.
Milk’ and ‘Salut France’ drawing some of the biggest cheers of the weekend – it’s top class
minimalist dance music that is cold and yet euphoric at times.
Chk Chk Chk - 8/10
The sense
of anticipation for a notoriously great live band is unpalatable. People are ready to unload the last remains of their energy
into this one set. Nick Chk Chk Chk is the quintessentially ‘I don’t give a fuck, I just wanna dance’ frontman
of an ensemble of musicians that produce some deliciously funky jams with a live sound that cannot be beaten.
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