Spotlight: Festival Feel-Good Act

Who went the extra mile to make you smile?

19 October 2007

Festival Feel-Good Act (in association with Brother’s Cider)

Festivals always feel special, but every now and then an act does something a little extra that makes the whole experience evolve from euphoria to ecstasy. It could be an act oozing in nostalgia, a star big on crowd interaction or just a band that break the mould and do something above and beyond. The Festival Feel Good Act award celebrates those acts who brought something special to their festival performance and made us all smile.

With downpour after downpour all summer the need for these moments of magnificence never seemed more pertinent, and we’ve drawn up a shortlist of ten champion contenders who could all win this elation celebration.

Fighting it out to be the Festival Feel-Good Act are:

Happy Mondays
Kanye West
Madness
Marley Brothers
Motley Crue
Seasick Steve
Shirley Bassey
The Cuban Brothers
The Levellers
Tinariwen

“Arctic Monkeys, that’s how it’s done,” goaded Shirley Bassey after the stage-songstress Dame put the Sheffield boys to shame at Glastonbury.  The veteran Cardiff crooner could grab the title after she powered through hits like ‘Goldfinger’ and ‘Moonraker’ in a triumphant Glasto set.

Then again a customised Kanye West show proved why he easily outsold Fiddy. The rapper peppered his sunshine set with covers like Eurythmics ‘Sweet Dreams’ and a cheeky stab at ‘Rehab’ for Amy Winehouse.

It was a summer for covers with hair-rock maestros Motley Crue ripping through a version of ‘Anarchy In The UK’ by the Sex Pistols during a debauched and much anticipated set.

The Cuban Brothers’ bout of Caribbean craziness at the Bestival is certainly a frontrunner after their party piece provoked cheers, dancing and laughter in the sunshine.  But Seasick Steve’s old skool blues and memorable yarns have won over crowds up and down the country making the award race wide open.

All of the above will have to get past Mali’s 11-piece Tinariwen first though. The African rock act have brought their mesmerising world-music to Latitude, Lovebox, WOMAD and Glastonbury this year warming hearts and winning fans in equal measures.

Madchester made a welcome return in 2007 with The Happy Mondays reigniting golden memories of Baggy Britain at V Festival and Electric Gardens but is it enough to get your vote? Madness are another who could win after ska-tastic sets at Guilfest and Knowsley Hall but did their surprise Bestival show make them ‘One Step Beyond’ the competition?

Festival favourites The Levellers could take the crown from last year’s winners Primal Scream. Their energetic sets and sing-a-long classics like ‘One Way’ and ‘What A Beautiful Day’ have proved popular over the years but did they make you feel-good enough this year to win?

The accolade may go to the three of Bob Marley’s sons who performed a collection of his songs at Glastonbury to celebrate 30 years of the Exodus album.  The sun beamed throughout the set while the kids did the classic justice, but was the set the one that completed your summer?

Even thinking about them again may put a smile back onto your face but it’s your vote that matters. Tick that box HERE.

Comments

Related Events

Related Articles