This has been my third consecutive year at Lovebox and I can honestly say the best yet. The London event has become a bit of a tradition for some of my friends, and I feared a combination of nostalgia and jadedness could lead to diminishing returns – but the Lovebox team pulled out all the stops (and possibly a weather-related Faustian pact) to make it better than ever.



Groove Armada’s Tom and Andy have spoken about wanting a “proper independent festival” and that’s pretty much what they’ve come up with, featuring the sort of diversity espoused by the Daddy of all festivals, Glastonbury. Quite apart from a line-up which covered most musical bases, there were ‘green’ stalls, fairground rides, kids’ entertainment, massages and life-coaching. The basic necessities were covered by the cleanest toilets I’ve EVER seen at a festival and decent, healthy food. Some “weird shit” (the old ladies’ cream tea stall? the insect acrobats?!) ensured it felt like a proper festie compared with the corporate feel of others, and the lack of chavs certainly provided a positive vibe.

SATURDAY and thanks to the iffy weather, we didn’t arrive until mid-afternoon to stumble around, confused by all the sights. The Horse Meat Disco particularly made an impact with its film-set frontage. We started in the Secret Sundaze area which resembled a corral this year, perhaps appropriately! The tunes were amazing and the crowd rocking but we dragged ourselves away, popping back later to catch a few notes from Funk D’Void.

We soon realised even the most anal planning won’t help us see half the attractions on offer, when a time-machine would be more useful! I was determined to see buzz-band New Young Pony Club and was impressed by their combination of sparkling dance-pop tunes, great lyrics and charismatic front-woman, Tahita!

But all too soon we had to leave to catch Blondie who are quite possibly the perfect festival band. Like Groove Armada themselves, they appeal to a massive cross-section of people, cutting through age and musical divides. Thirty years on, Debbie Harry was as cool as ever belting out hits like Heart of Glass and Call Me.

Despite this being their first London gig in 20 years, Sly and the Family Stone couldn’t hope to match the unifying experience of Blondie. I hear later that Sly only managed a few songs onstage – but their good-time funk-rock still sounded great from the back of a massive festival crowd.

SUNDAY and despite our vows to return earlier in the day we still only arrived during Hot Chip’s set but we’re rewarded with what – at least from a distance - sounds like some great new songs! We’re determined to check out all the areas we missed on Saturday so the Strangelove tent is high on the agenda. It was rammed, so we witnessed Digitalism from outside, but managed to squeeze in for Layo & Bushwacka! who’ve had the place jumping – especially when they dropped their own Lovestory. Sadly we missed Mr C as the running times were switched around. We had a quick sit down in the Time Out area (how apt!) and catch some 60s girl band sounding songs from Candie Payne. But soon we had to hurry to the other end of the site and jump onboard the MySpace bus for an intimate set from Bonde Do Role’s DJ Gorky.

He had the double-decker literally swaying to his Brazilian party beats and we felt privileged to experience it close up – especially as we couldn’t get into the band’s gig later due to the huge queue/crowd outside El Barrio! It was onto the Barfly tent next to catch a bit of Mr Hudson and the Library whose name had led me to anticipate some introverted bookish, math-rock…. Needless to say, I’m surprised, albeit pleasantly, by their upbeat Caribbean-tinged music!
Anyway, we’ve experienced a plethora of genres by now and much as I wanted to catch a bit of Felix da Housecat, the crowds meant it was impossible, so we squeezed through to find the aforementioned friends in front of the main stage.

Groove Armada got everyone partying like it was their last chance – which it was for most, being a Sunday night! They’ve become something of an institution now, with something for everyone. The pop kids have accessible, sparkling pop like Song 4 Mutya and I See You Baby; the oldies can chill to By The River; and of course the dance heads are loving Get Down, Easy and the all-conquering encore, Superstylin’. The guys themselves will admit they’re not exactly underground any more – but that doesn’t matter when they remind you just how many great tunes they have – and the power they have to bring everyone together in one massive celebration.

Here’s to next year’s Lovebox – I can’t wait!

I still haven't made it there!

was awesome to see Blondie!

been on my list for many years - so can tick that one off now!

x

Excellent review Sara!

Makes me feel even sorrier for myself now, LOL.

i still don't remember much except being drunk!

oh shit, i see you there didn't i Amy.....

How is your new boyfriend???

lol...

xx

How is your new boyfriend???

how is your stomach???

lol.... i nearly puked in horror!

it was like someones parents splitting up.

you fucker... i didn't need that in my state.

How is your new boyfriend???

Your face was a picture! lol

Joey Negro is what i really wanted to see and fek me did he not dissapoint.
We were soaked with sweat and couldn't leave for the 2 hours we were there even to get some water (how i didn't faint i don't know)
The Joey Negro trannies were excellent and i wish i could have caught on vid the, fuck me up the butt song that one of them mimed along to. Was so funny. Did anyone catch it or know what song i am talking about ? (have been trying to explain it to friends)
I pulled my mates up on the stage at the end and we all had a dance with the trannies, what a day Horse Meat Disco made it for me.

Life coaching, didn't see that but prob could do with some.

Sara i meant to ask u along to our after party but lost ya, seeing as we didn't get any time to catch up, hope ur lip has recovered

i've also been 3 years in a row, this year by far was the best, i was lucky enough to have a vip pass on both days.. only ended up going in there for the free booze as the rest of the place rocked.. much more stalls and places to c then previuos years..
GA where great, the best show i have seen them do..
still smiling from it now..

Next year has a lot to live up to!!

i still don't remember much except being drunk!
Funnily enough the small details are fainter as the day goes on...

Shelly - I've seen Joey Negro before and he is quality - the only downside of the expanding line-up is you haven't a hope of seeing a fraction of the people you'd like to... we couldn't even get into the Horse Meat Disco - too popular! But I've seen them in action at Nude. And I picked up a leaflet for the lifecoaching: www.lifeclubs.co.uk
Ha! I'd forgotten about my lip injury! It's fine now!

I wasn't gonna queue for Horse meat, was far too eager and bad, we did another wrong-un inside but for once i didn't start it, so it wasn't my fault.
Not sure if a life coach could help me stop being bad and partying too much, thanks for the add tho.
Do u know what the trannies were called then ?

Hmmn, I think I was photographed with Boobie Tuesday (geddit?!) - think they're doing Lake of Stars festival in Malawi this Autumn if anyone fancies a bit of a road trip..?!

Well done sis, booby tuesday lead me to Gay Bingo, then i remembered they gave me a flyer, eventually found on my space The NYC Down-Low and found Suppositori Spelling who is the guy/gal who did that song. Will see if i can get me a copy.
Would love to go back to Africa but can't just yet. ;o))))

Oh and would like to see the photo evidence sweets of u and booby tuesday xxx

Gosh, and we just sat outisde in the sun watching B52's and Groove Armada waving infkatables franticly when the music got us, seems we missed quite a lot but disd have a magic day Sunday!

I probably had the lamest experience of Lovebox out of everyone that went!

I turned up on Sunday about 5pm having been to Lost the night before (and without an ounce of sleep) only to stand gormlessly watching the B52s. Strangelove tent was pretty cool, Mr C was fantastic, as was Layo (was Bushwacka there?!) but I was in no fit state to particularly "ave it" to anyone by then....

I'm completely ashamed of myself - I've been telling everyone that it was shit, but I trust your opinion far more than I do mine Sara. Please ignore my comments slating Lovebox, I take them all back. I was not of sane body or mind at the time!

I can't believe I missed Hot Chip and Bonde do Role. Twat.

LOL Matthew!!!!! ;)