PigStock Part 4/4

June 14, 2010 No Comments

For Part One, Click Here

For Part Two, Click Here

For Part Three, Click Here

Words By: Chris Leckey  Photography: Peter Stuart

Finále

Once I cut through the crowd to get to the main stage for Kasper Rosa, at first glance, I thought that nobody was there, until I saw that most of the people were sitting on the grass and waiting for them.

Kasper Rosa brought a whole new light to the festival, or should I say, a whole new darkness. The sun was setting when this band took stage and what a time for them to come on, to perform their atmospheric and almost apocalyptic sound.

They don’t hold back playing their near 10 minute long epics. Watching them I got the feeling people were getting bored of hearing the long droned chords and no amount of stage presence or antics can stop people from getting apathetic.

More importantly, I felt that the bands were there for people who appreciate their music and I was one of them. They’re not the best band for this festival, some people want to hear typical punk or typical indie but there are some who have looked forward to this particular support slot for a long time and that’s what keep this band from playing songs to a dead crowd, facing undeserved tumble-weed.

I enjoyed listening to their beautiful movements immensely and the addition of a violinist made everything sound even more epic. As they left the stage, I felt very calm and very at ease afterwards. Essentially Kasper Rosa were the chill out band for the festival.

A Plastic Rose – Headlining Band

People were tired, most were drunk and it was time for the festival to come to a close. A Plastic Rose as a headlining band was the perfect choice – an amazing upcoming group. This was the most magical moment I experienced at Pigstock – essentially the coming together of everyone for a final celebration.

Punks stood arm-to-arm with indie boys and couples held each other, watching this fantastic band playing their heart out and proving why they should be the headliners.

For me this was the unsurpassable highlight of the day and perfect evidence that Pigstock is a festival that has to keep running as long as long as it possibly can.

They played with meaning, heart and gratitude, continually thanking the crowd for coming to the festival and helping out the local scene, showcasing a variety of new songs to an eager crowd but still maintaining their alt rock/shoegaze style.

The festival closed with the song “Kids Don’t Behave Like This” and the crowd swelled to an intimidating size. With everyone around me jumping up and down from the front of the stage to the sound desk, I can happily say that Pigstock ended for me on a very high note (the last note that A Plastic Rose played!)

I wandered back to my tent and sat, chatting with friends I came with and friends I had just made at the festival. As we all sat there, it became apparent that this festival is not just about the music but more so about coming together with friends and having a good time.

Pigstock has been overlooked this year as “that festival that isn’t Glasgowbury” but I can happily say after experiencing it, it runs in a whole new league of it’s own.

Chris Leckey

Festivals, Reviews