Surely the most picturesque British summer event, Festival No. 6 returns for its second year on the 13th, 14th and 15th September. Set amongst Welsh hills and forests the creators have shown yet again their ability to attract both highly respected elder bands and trendy young whippersnappers. Here are the six musical acts DYC is looking forward to most.
My Bloody Valentine
This one’s obvious. After Vince Power’s continuing financial issues and the subsequent cancellation of Hop Farm earlier this summer MBV’s appearance at FNo.6 is a British festival exclusive. Kevin Shields and company have been touring everywhere around the world in 2013, and so their live set must be down to a tee. Perhaps their sound won’t be quite as formidable in the open air but Shields’ seismic riffs and mountains of tangible distortion will still pack a considerable punch.
Wire
Highly respected Brit punk/post-punk band from the late 70s still making a stir in 2013 with the release of Change Becomes Us. Their twangy guitars will be welcomed and venerated around the The Estuary Stage on the Sunday where they play just ahead of Charlie Boyer and the Voyeurs by the River Dwyryd estuary.
These New Puritans
It will be very interesting to see how TNP interpret their cutting edge art rock onto a live setting. Although they won’t use the orchestra TNP toured with following the Hidden album, this year’s stunner Field Of Reeds still incorporates a number of extraordinary instruments that would require some logistical creativity. Considering the calibre of the songs on FoR though, Barnett and co would do well to disappoint.
Jagwar Ma
Baggy acid-drenched psychedelia from Sydney. The Australian trio will arrive in Portmeirion to support their excellent debut album Howlin’; it will be fascinating to see how well their sun-kissed jams fare in northern Wales.
Hookworms
Part of the psyche wave that’s been driving much of Britain’s new music recently Hookworms, deal in languid guitar and synth rock that builds itself on the rhythmic and regular beats akin to krautrock. They touch on the accessible side of avant-garde with tunes rarely ducking under six minutes. They will be a refreshing addition to The i Stage.
Tricky
A central cog to 90s Bristol trip-hop, Tricky’s laid-back warbles and druggy tunes never received the recognition they deserved. 2013 should see that oversight rectified along with a new album, his tenth actually, False Idols to promote. He’s a cool dude and will no doubt exude a seductive charm over Stage No. 6 on the Saturday.
