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2010 Marks another success for The Big Chill
The Big Chill Festival 2010

With expectations on the rise and with the festival creating a bigger interest from the fans, the media and the artists than ever before this years Big Chill festival was expected to be occasion to remember.

And it was just that!

Since 1995 when the festival began it welcomed a wide range of acts from the dance and experimental music scene. However this year the Big Chill offered just that but on a larger scale with many more acts, some well known and some on the ladder to fame I'm sure. On the opening evening, as my first time at the festival I was startled by the how the festival used the beautiful tranquil setting of the steep Herefordshire hills to their full effectiveness by creating an intense however ambient vibe. In the centre of the arena there was the "igloo" tent which throughout the weekend its theme changed from minimal/techno music into the early hours to slow/orchestral music on the Sunday. Meanwhile whilst the people enjoyed the techno minimal music theme on the Friday evening just metres away, the soft sound of Thom Yorke was heard by thousands. In support of headline Massive Attack, the Radiohead lead singer Thom Yorke took to the stage, and was supported by the perpetual cheering by many fans. Finally Massive Attack came on and it somewhat felt so natural for them to appear at this venue, with their such unique, moody and atmospheric sound, as it was heard over the night sky this just seemed the festival for them. And when they performed their hit, "teardrop" it made my opinion concrete.
After Massive Attack, it was time for much anticipated Hospital Records to bring us into the early hours of Saturday. Liquid D'n'B heroes consisting of Danny Byrd, High Contrast, London Electricity and Netsky who played that night represented the south London label proudly as they shook the tent poles of the Paradiso tent for four solid hours!

Saturday at the Big Chill was a day where the weather simply didn't know whether it wanted to be sunny or rainy. But it did not get in the way of the Big Chillers.

The day consisted of acts such as, Tiny Tempah, Plan B, Kelis, Giggs,Plastician and Roots Manuva. Roots Manuva who supported headline M.I.A brought the UK Hip Hop scene to Hereford upon which they boldly demonstrated their love for the festival by repeatedly saying, "The Big Chill is a wonderful festival". Soon after M.I.A and in my opinion it was one of the best performance's of the festival, for crowd appreciation and general sound. I felt she delivered her set brilliantly; it was intense, loud and visually different to other acts.

Sadly like any special event it has to come to an end. On the last evening the Parisdiso tent was set alive by 19 year-old Dubstep Dj, Joker a West Country local who brought his own combustion of Grime and Dubstep sound to the table creating a pretty tough job for next on, The Bug to top. However I had to be fair and loyal to other acts such as Lily Allen and Bonobo who both finished up the Sunday evening. Lily Allen, the daddy’s girl/the tease/reggae pop singer...whatever you want to call her, she was utterly amazing. A fatigue festival crown found just a bit more energy to enjoy her unique sound. With her new track "F**k You" devoted to attack the BNP, which went down a storm her next album promises to be another success for the mother to be.

Some say its Glastonbury on a mini scale, however I think it's a festival which definitely deserves its own identity. The weekend showcased such amazing acts, on such a simple natural setting. As midnight hit the 45ft tall egg structure on the hill shattered and sprouted fireworks from the top, Chinese laterns were simultaneously released into the summer sky.

Personally I agree with Roots Mauva- "The Big Chill is a wonderful festival"

Best Live Act - Natty

Best Performance - Thom Yorke

Best Unsigned Act - Gypsy Hill. Played on the Sunday evening into the early hours on the Gaymers stage. A really enjoyable performance to watch or dance to. A very energetic sound, falling into a Spanish, swing, brass genre. Normally a 7 piece, however they played as a duet on this occasion, definitely something to look out for. myspace.com

The Big Chill Festival 2010 overall - 5/5

Dontstayin

Joe
Who laughed: Davisboy
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Posted Thu 12 Aug 2010

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