Glastonbury 2014: Our Festival Soundtrack [Playlist]

Words: Saam Das

I only decided that I'd make the trip to Glastonbury this year at about 11pm on the Thursday night of the festival. By which point, approximately 100,000 punters had already entered the site. It would have been a waste to have not used my fancy pants hospitality ticket (thanks to the good folk behind the Emerging Talent Competition) and ultimately, I had an excellent time - even with the occasional torrential rain showers.

Kaiser Chiefs - 'I Predict A Riot'

Filling in the TBA slot opening the Other Stage, Kaiser Chiefs wisely stuck to their best known numbers in order to get Glastonbury off to as rollicking a start as possible. While they may not be the most musically inspiring choice, the band nonetheless brought a verve that set the pace for the weekend - with Ricky Wilson willing the rain away, albeit perhaps not as successfully as he'd hoped.

George Ezra - 'Budapest'

In one of several "secret" gigs at the BBC Introducing stage, George Ezra particularly pleased the welcoming crowd with a rendition of recent hit 'Budapest'. It's almost bizarre to think that we caught the singer-songwriter playing to about twenty people just a few months ago at Southsea Fest.

Blondie - 'Hanging On The Telephone'

I hadn't really planned to catch any of Blondie but as their set on the Other Stage was in my near vicinity, I figured that I might as well pop my head in. I had massively underestimated the band, Debbie Harry still going strong, even with the band now forty years old. Forty! 'Hanging On The Telephone' was just one of a series of hits that prospered.

Bipolar Sunshine - 'Love More Worry Less'

Making the somewhat arduous journey over to The Park stage was made worth it for both the wonderful viewing area, overlooking much of the Glastonbury site and for the cheerful vibes of Bipolar Sunshine. His warm sentiments perhaps captured best through 'Love More Worry Less'.

Haim - 'The Wire'

I've caught Haim in various contexts over the course of the last couple of years, from their first gigs in the UK to their secret BBC Introducing set at Glastonbury 2013 - this was probably the biggest live moment of their careers, however. And they met expectations. It might not have been spectacular but it was infectious and energetic, driven by hits like 'The Wire'.

Crystal Fighters - 'You & I'

There's something about Crystal Fighters that makes me think they're really one of the best fits for Glastonbury - from the wacky attire to their free spirit, but most of all their joyful music. 'You & I' was just one highlight of their rapturous set.

Arcade Fire - 'No Cars Go'

I had been tempted to throw an Interpol track in here, likely 'Slow Hands', but in all honesty, I was disappointed by their performance. Especially having had to wait around for it after the diabolical thunderstorms caused delays all across the festival. (So. Wet.) Arcade Fire, on the other hand, absolutely stormed their headline slot. Playing 'No Cars Go' and 'Keep The Car Running' successively will be a duo of songs that I'm not sure will ever be beaten in my gig-going career.

King Charles - 'Love Lust'

Mumford & Sons offshoot Gentlemen Of The Road took over the Avalon Cafe on Saturday with plenty of acts in tow, and a rumoured (and inevitable) set of their own. I hadn't expected Rhodes to be on but was lucky enough to catch some of his solo set, unfortunately somewhat drowned out by the murmuring Mumford fans. King Charles fared a tad better, led by the likes of 'Love Lust'.

Charli XCX - 'Boom Clap'

I fell for 'Boom Clap' (and I suppose Charli, as well) at The Great Escape. Her Glastonbury performance was just as electrifying as it was in Brighton, and co-incidentally reminded me of collaborator Iggy Azalea's mesmerising efforts on the same stage the year previously. I would be quite content if 'Boom Clap' was #1 single for at least the next six months.

Jess Glynne - 'Home'

Like Charli XCX, Jess Glynne is another frequent collaborator - with the likes of Route 94 and Clean Bandit. She wisely played those hits but for me, the highlight was her own vibrant track, 'Home', at the similarly vibrantly named La Pussy Parlure Nouveau.

Public Service Broadcasting - 'Everest'

This outfit was certainly my find of the weekend. Having heard plenty of recommendations previously, I finally decided to actively seek them out, and by golly, was it worth the effort. The hilarious robotic vocal banter was exceeded by the excellence of the music itself, often combining heavy riffs, spoken word, and electronic music. A hypnotic mix.

Dolly Parton - '9 To 5'

It took a lot to abandon Public Service Broadcasting's set but I felt compelled to at least pop along for the finale of Dolly Parton's set - which people were bizarrely watching on a telly in the hospitality area behind the Pyramid Stage, where she was performing. It was a decision that I did not regret, and despite claims of lip-syncing, I thoroughly enjoyed capturing a few of her classics including '9 To 5'. Even though I was maybe even further away from the eye-straining distance that I was for The Rolling Stones last year.

Bleachers - 'I Wanna Get Better'

Having made the decision to leave the festival fairly early on in the naive hope of getting home easily on the train - a decision somewhat ruined by First Great Western's organisation - I thought I'd finish off on future headliner Ed Sheeran. Who unfortunately did very little for me. Instead, popping over to a surprisingly empty John Peel Stage for Fun-side project Bleachers. In 'I Wanna Get Better', they have one of the anthems of the year - a fitting end to my Glastonbury 2014.



Find more info at glastonburyfestivals.co.uk.