Parklife!
June 30th July 1st and July 2nd saw three huge gigs in Finsbury Park.
A 00s indie legend, one of Britpops best and maybe the biggest British band in the world right now!
Jamie T kicked off proceedings on Friday night. A huge homecoming for the London boy, his songs soundtracked the 00s and they would soundtrack North London for 40,000 adoring fans. They are pint throwing anthems that summarise what it’s like to be young, skint and carefree. In the times in which we live they are more important than ever.
Not afraid to rest on his laurels though. The set contained some new material from Jamie’s latest album ‘The Theory of Whatever.’ His first number one record and it’s easy to see why! With future classics like ‘The Old Style Raiders’ and ‘90s Cars’ both of which slotted into the Finsbury Park setlist.
To end the great set, he pulled out Hugo White, yes former Macabee, Hugo White. Just as he did at Glastonbury last year, a rousing rendition of ‘Sticks & Stones’ and ‘Zombie’ followed. It was a real coming of age moment for Jamie T and for those 45,000 present in the field. It was a true family affair
Jamie T played
‘Hippodrome’
‘Limits Lie’
‘Operation’
‘The Old Style Raiders
‘90s Cars’
‘Rabbit Hole’
‘Salvador’
‘St George Wharf Tower’
‘Emily’s Heart’
‘Spiders Web’
‘Don’t You Find’
‘The Man’s Machine’
‘Between the Rocks’
‘Dragon Bones’
‘If You Got the Money’
Back in the Game’
‘Shelia’
‘Sticks & Stones’
‘Zombie’
Saturday saw us go back to the 90s. Pulp were in town! 25 years since they last played Finsbury Park, all the way back in 1998.
2023 seems to be the year for Britpop reunions we’ve had both Blur and Pulp. I think it’s the most Pulp thing ever to reunite to celebrate the album that arguably killed Britpop, ‘This is Hardcore’
Pulp are still one of the best British bands, Jarvis Cocker is a charismatic front man, with bundles of energy. Backed up by a brilliantly tight band with an arsenal of brilliant tunes. From ‘Razzamataz’ to ‘Babies’ to the hits of ‘Disco 2000’ and ‘Common People.’
They would play them all, and fans would lap it up. Time was even found to honour ‘Steve Mackey’ Pulp’s former bassist who sadly passed away this year. By doing it the Pulp way a beautiful rendition of one there most underrated songs ‘Something Changed.’
Pulp are still one of the very best and Jarvis is one of the greatest front man of all time. He ended the show with these famous words. ‘My name is Jarvis and I was born to perform. I exist to do this.’
Yes you do Jarvis! Don’t leave it so long next time, the world needs Pulp!
Pulp Played.
‘I Spy’
‘Disco 2000’
‘Mis-Shapes’
‘Something Changed’
‘Pink Glove’
‘Weeds’
‘Weeds II (The Origin Of The Species)’
‘F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E.’
‘Sorted For E’s & Wizz’
‘This Is Hardcore’
‘Do You Remember The First Time?
‘Babies’
‘Sunrise’
‘Like A Friend’
‘Underwear’
‘Common People’
‘Razzmatazz’
Sunday saw The 1975 take to the stage, for their biggest headline gig to date. 50,000 adoring fans in the capital. As always controversy is never far away from The 1975 and front man Matty Healy took a moment to say that he regrets some of his words and actions.
He also took a moment to big up Lewis Capaldi following his struggles at Glastonbury and the fact he cancelled a tour.
Translating the amazing arena show to an outdoor setting was always going to be difficult, but they managed to pull it off. It helps when you have a catalogue like The 1975 have though!
Away from the controversy and the sometimes polarising opinions of their front man. The 1975 are a bloody good band.
Finsbury Park and more particularly the Finsbury Park setlist, highlight this. A 27 song masterclass from the band, even has to make the biggest doubters stop and take at least a little bit of notice.
From festival ready faves like ‘If You’re To Shy’ and ‘It’s Not Living if it’s Not With You’ to punk rock smash hits ‘People’ and even an acoustic ballad about your mates ‘Guys’ they real do have it all!
Forget the controversy, enjoy one of the best bands we’ve got. Believe me it’s worth it.
The 1975 played…
‘The 1975 (BFIAFL)’
‘Looking For Somebody (To Love)’
‘Happiness’
‘Love Me’
‘Part Of The Band’
‘Oh Caroline’‘I’m In Love With You’
‘Paris’ (Acoustic)‘
All I Need to Hear’ (with Tim Healy)
‘Be My Mistake’
‘If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)’
‘The Ballad of Me and My Brain’
‘Medicine’
‘About You’ (with Carly Holt)
‘Somebody Else’
‘A Change of Heart’
‘The Sound’
‘It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You)’
‘fallingforyou’
‘Guys’
‘I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes)’
‘Robbers’
‘I Like America & America Likes Me’ (‘Real World’ version)
‘Love It If We Made It’
‘Sex’‘Give Yourself a Try’
‘People’