Kanye West left in the dark at Global Gathering

United Kingdom | | 28 July 2008

Despite having a massive stage production that required Kanye West to have the entire main stage to himself at Global Gathering on Friday (25 July), the rapper's 'Glow In The Dark' show failed to shine.

As reported the Chicago rapper was set to be the only act on the main stage because of the extent of his current show, but organisers decided that Scratch Perverts would go on before hand to warm up the audience.

The hip-hop star certainly had enough lights to attract passing planes to start landing on the now disused Long Marston Airfield, Stratford-upon-Avon, but the full orchestra, dancers and intergalactic special effects that fans were expecting didn't materialise.

Having to contend with Teisto for crowd numbers West decided to pull out all his hits including 'Gold Digger', 'Diamond Are Forever' and recent number one 'American Boy', but he was only backed by singers and a small band.

'Touch The Sky', 'All Falls Down' and the Daft Punk-sampling 'Stronger' received loud cheers during the over-hyped set.

It seemed that Daft Punk were the flavour of the weekend with the French duo's tracks dropped by many DJs including Mark Knight who played 'Around The World'.

The 55,000 revellers that attended the festival were treated to high temperatures all weekend as well as shows from the likes of progressive house star Deadmau5 who wore a giant mouse head for his set and Etienne De Crecy who also proved popular.

Revellers came from all over Britain and abroad to see the likes of Moby, Mark Ronson, 2 Many DJs, Felix Da Housecat and John Digweed, but there were complaints about the quiet sound levels.

Elsewhere the Red Arrows returned for their traditional show over the airfield on the Saturday afternoon and Fred Flintstone could be found wrestling with Ali G as festival-goers got into the spirit of things.

Check back for our full review and photos from the festival.