photography by Avalanche

This proved to be fitting end to what was an intense month of festivals for Mr & Mrs Avalanche.

Glade proved to be a fantastic experience - think of all the good bits of Glastonbury crammed into one pleasant location. There was no over crowding, the facilities were excellent and the vibe was good. The first night was a Detroit extravaganza, starting with Los Hermanos a Jazz band from Mexico signed to Underground Resistance - how do they find these people! The night progressed well with sets the greats including Kenny Larkin and Kevin Saunderson, who finished with Pennies From heaven - Mrs Avalanche was absolutely delighted. Other highlights of the weekend included a very impressive set from James Lavelle, who more than made up for his below average showing at Glastonbury last year (even his inclusion of U2s Where the streets have no name sent the crowd wild - never thought it could sound so good!) Nick Warren predictably came up with the goods and Juno Reactor was outrageously over the top with African drummers chanting and an Opera singer - At 4am it all made perfect sense.

The following week Ashton Court was a more sedate affair although this was certainly interrupted by Pendulum who never fail to impress me - what sounds so corny on CD sounds great in a field when you’re mashed up on Cider & MDMA snakebite.

The weekend of the big one finally came around and began with the Bristol Harbourside festival - didn't see much as the track listing looked a little dubious and the weather was mainly rain. When we did decide to go down and have a look, spent most of our time gorging in the French Market, but did make the effort to check out Shri - he has somehow mutated into an Asian version of a seventies progressive rock disaster - nasty - left early only to be distracted by an Elvis Impersonator - the festival headliner (I kid you not). He did mean suspicious minds, but it will always be difficult to top Senior Coconuts' Tour De France last year. We can't really complain - it's all free!

So onto the main event. We set off early as no one really new where this Arboretum was - someone mentioned the country side as we tore up the M32 and it was discovered that we didn't have a map between us. Apparently it's near Bath, so we turned right towards London and found the signs for Westinbirt at the Bath Junction. Sorted. After a short country drive we arrived to discover a beautiful setting on a pleasant sunny summer’s night - perfect.

Made our way to The brilliantly named blaggers tent and settled down to some relaxing and drinking, whilst trying to remain composed in the presence of so many of my heroes. Horace was led out on some chairs immediately behind me, taking it easy. I passed Adrian Utley and Angelo on the way to the bogs. Came back to the bar and waited my turn next to Roni Size and passed most of Bristol’s Junglists on my way back to our table. "Oh look there's Krust talking to Peter D out of Smith & Mighty." The look from Mrs Avalanche suggests that they probably won't be interested in my blabbering hero worship. Why is she always right?

First couple of bands are pretty unpleasant - I can put up with bland if it doesn't stir my tinnitus into action - soundman must have been in the Cheese Baguettes queue.

Managed to meet up with the amiable Azure, who then joined us for the rest of the evening. The rain abated and we ventured out of the safety of the bar as Terry Callier meandered on stage - his set was short but sweet - he collapsed half way through a song, tried to continue but something was clearly wrong. We later learned that all was well however.

Congratulations Azure - after so many failed attempts to see the Massive this year, you managed to catch a blinder! Massive Attack were simply incredible this evening. This was everything the performance in Hyde Park a few weeks ago wasn't.

As the smoke started getting thicker on and off the stage, the band strike up the chords to False Flags, Mr Del Naja wonders on and were are all systems go!

I soon begin to realise that my Bass quota for the evening is going to be met - the sounds system is outstanding and by the time Butterfly Caught comes around Avalanche is one happy shopper. I look around and everyone else seems to think so as well - the vibe is electric - that is apart from the scowl of the woman in front of us - every so often she keeps looking around and glares at various members of our party - she then waits a few moments and then comes up to me to complain about Mary Jane! There's some harsh language (not on my part you understand) but I don't really know what she's going on about - until the next day - so sorry, scowl woman - you could have moved away.......

The highlight, Angel comes and goes - I will never tire of that initial hit of bass to the chest from Winston.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmdqpvLZhnA











photographs by Bradstock


photographs by Dan