included big name pop acts that we think would work well in front of the audience.’ he says. ‘Our fans have always displayed catholic tastes. which means that we can introduce a few pop acts and they’re not too narrow- minded or too pretentious
to enjoy the spectacle.‘
Needless to say. commercial factors also influence the line-up. ‘We always try to have the bill as varied as possible.‘ says Ellis. ‘which is a necessity if you are to attract such a big crowd from a small
- population. Undoubtedly Lady Gaga has huge appeal.’ he concedes. 'Similarly. Katy Perry is an international superstar.‘
Colossal record sales and screeds of magazine covers are one thing. but chart pop acts have historically proven disappointing at best — and farcical at worst — in the live arena. (We're looking at you. Spice Girls and Milli Vanilli). So this year‘s pop-tastic TiTP line-up suggests that either Ellis is taking a hell of a gamble or our present crop of pop icons have got their on- stage act together.
()f course. it‘s the latter. ‘lt’s true to say that pop artists put on a much better show in a live setting now than their predecessors did.‘ says Ellis. 'Ten years ago. perhaps a band like Coldplay wouldn't have been brave enough to have Girls Aloud support them. but it‘s also true that the Girls‘ forerunners couldn‘t have put on as good a show.’
It‘s hardly surprising that pop proponents are striving to thrive in the live realm these days: in March this year. the Performing Rights Society reported that UK revenue from live music had exceeded that of recordings for the first time in history.
The ability to cut it live has become vital to pop's survival.
While takings from the gigging business financially upstage record sales. however. pop tracks are also enjoying a new lease of life — thanks to a rejuvenation of the singles chart. In the late-1990s and early-2000s the hit parade
came to a virtual standstill: the albums market dominated. while singles reached their chart peak on the week of release. and thereafter plummeted. Yet revolutions in chart eligibility and music consumption (see: downloads. ringtones. MySpace. etc) — have made watching songs gradually scale the Top 40 a gleeful diversion once
more. Ellis agrees that the iPod generation's listening habits chime with
pop. ‘People are definitely listening to songs now as opposed to whole albums.‘ he says. ‘which was also the case in pop's so-called golden era. However the difference now
Leon and The View also have songs that cut
through to a mass- market while still retaining their rock or indie or album- buying credibility.‘
Granted. The
Kings of Leon
and their ilk
attract main-
stream as well as alternative fans. but
doesn't the TiTP bill suggest people are tiring of standard guitar fare'.’ lillis denies any conscious departure in the programming of more traditional artists.
'There‘s no move away from guitar or indie rock acts.‘ he says. ‘and I don't think there is necessarily a dearth of exciting new guitar bands. But there has been an increase in good electronic acts — Ladyhawke. Little Boots. Florence & the Machine.‘
‘A good pop song is a good pop song.’ lillis concludes with a nod. ‘Look at the re- emergence of the UK's biggest band. Take That. 01‘ the longevity ofAbba's music.‘
He's putting his cash where his mouth is: the bearded Swedes‘ tribute band. Bjorn Again will also play this year‘s TiTl’.
So where will this live pop paradise end'.’ Will next year’s T bill boast a two-pronged performance from Xtina with Le Tigre‘.’ ()r a ‘l)on‘t Look Back’ style stage on which Neneh Cherry will re-enact Raw like Sushi?
01‘ a tent dedicated to the clarion works of Stock. Aitken and Waterman‘.’
We should be so lucky.
Lady Gaga & Calvin Harris, Main Stage, Sat 11 Jul; Katy Perry, NME/Radio 1 Stage, Sat 11 Jul; Lily Allen, Radio 1 NME Stage, Sat 1 1 Jul; W Brown 8. Little Boots, Futures Stage, Sun 12 Jul; The Staurdays, Daniel Merriweather & Gary Go, King Tut’s Tent, Sun 12 Jul.
the commodification of
is that bands such as The Killers. Kings of
The List picks out the songs that count as they happen at T
FRIDAY
The whole festival starts in considerable style with The Maccabees and ‘No Kind Words’ before shifting in gloriously mental fashion with ‘Roulette Dares’ by The Mars Volta so sing along now . . . ‘Exoskeleton. junction at the railroad delayed!‘ Come down easy from that with the soporific blues of Edwyn Collins‘ ‘Liberteenage Rag’ and follow it up swiftly with the winsome Camera Obscura and THE MARS VOLTA ‘French Navy’. Speed back to the NME/Radio 1 Stage in time for ‘When I Argue I See Shapes’ from ldlewild, the heart flutteringly sublime ‘Maps’ by Yeah Yeah Yeahs and see the sun go down to ‘Red Right Hand’ from Nick “~55 or: LEON Cave. Sprint to the Main Stage just in time for Kings of Leon to set hearts racing with a climactic rendition of ‘Sex on Fire’. Woof!
SAWRMY
Ease those hangovers with some goofy. feelgood vibes with ‘In the City’ by lglu & Hartly at the King Tut’s Tent. We secretly hope
The Noisettes play ‘Scratch Your Name’ but if not. ‘Don’t Upset the Rhythm’ will do. A gentle contrast will come from Foals
whose drummer will get really quite wicked for ‘Red Socks Pugte’. White Lies’
CONTINUED P24 . . . . .
25 Jun—9 .Jul 2009 THE LIST 19