My plan this year was to skip a number of the support acts and take the opportunity to view the Rolling Stones 50 exhibition which began on Saturday at Somerset House on The Strand. Documenting the 50 years since The Stones hit the stage at the Marquee Club on 12th July 1962, this exhibition of over 70 photographs covers the entire career of this iconic band. And a wonderful collection it is too. If you happen to be in London before 27th August, I would recommend you pay a visit. The East Wing Gallery is open from 10.00 - 18.00 every day and entrance is free.
The inevitable hard back book to celebrate this anniversary is also on sale there at a penny short of 30 quid (that's English pounds). I must say I was tempted but it was an expensive weekend, the White Room budget was stretched and as I was heading straight to Hyde Park after the visit, it would have meant lugging a heavy volume around the festival site. So I settled instead for the lighter and slimmer catalogue at a reasonable £10.
While waiting in the queue to purchase the book, an American guy in front who seemed to be buying every single item on sale, commented that he had never heard of the band but assumed that they were doing quite well. The sales person didn't know how to react and I have to assume he was joking yet part of me wonders as I have always been of the opinion that Americans don't do irony. Oh well.
After a pleasant couple of pints in The Wellington (only to dodge the rain you understand), it was then on the tube towards Hyde Park.
I arrived in time to catch the last 20 minutes of a set by Dawes on one of the smaller stages. I won't name the sponsor as I'm not here to provide free advertising and anyway the drink tastes like crap. The band were very good indeed and well received by the crowd.
Back at the main stage, John Fogerty got his set underway. I've never been much of a fan of Creedence Clearwater Revival for some reason but I really enjoyed his set. At one point he was joined on stage by The Boss and together they did Status Quo's 'Rockin' All Over The World'.
At 19.30 Bruce and The E-Street Band came onto the stage and began their set. Having seen them at this same festival three years ago and again at Sunderland Stadium of Light a couple of weeks back, I knew what to expect. At least three hours of non stop great music. Of course there were some surprises thrown in such as Bruce playing a song requested by a Spanish guy who seems to have followed the band round all of Europe always requesting the same song. The song in question was 'Take 'em as they come' and the guy was ecstatic. It was a special moment. John Fogerty joined the band for 'Promised Land' and at the end of the set Sir Paul McCartney was introduced and with Bruce performed a fine rendition of 'I Saw Her Standing There' followed by 'Twist and Shout'. Of course we all know by now what happened next as Westminster City Council saw fit to pull the plug because they had passed the curfew. Shame on them! Perhaps they should put more effort into ensuring they have a good public transport system as our journey back to the hotel was a nightmare due to problems on the Central Line.
Feeling refreshed on Sunday and after a visit to Camden market (of which more next time), I returned to Hyde Park in plenty of time to catch Alison Krauss & The Union Station. Having stayed dry and fairly sunny throughout Sunday, the mud of the previous day had dried or at least been covered by a fresh layer of wood chippings. At least it meant we could sit down occasionally instead of having to stand non stop for five hours. The set by the band was superb featuring some very fine musicianship from Jerry Douglas on dobro and the wonderful Dan Tyminski who took his share of the vocals while Alison Krauss supported on fiddle.
After a break, Paul Simon came onto the stage and began with a selection of numbers from his solo years. He was soon joined on stage by Jimmy Cliff who did an exuberant short set and eventually Ladyship Black Mambazo bounded onto the stage to a very enthusiastic welcome from the crowd. Supported by many of the original musicians plus Hugh Masekela, Simon delivered the complete 'Graceland' album to an ecstatic crowd.
It seemed impossible to follow that yet a visibly moved Paul Simon returned alone with his acoustic guitar and silenced the crowd with a gorgeous version of 'Sounds of Silence'.
After another couple of numbers backed by the full band, they all took their bows and like the Chinese lanterns set off behind the stage, we drifted off into the night.
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