So, it's been just over two weeks since Glastonbury yet it's still echoing through every Glastonbury goers mind in the midst of dismal post-festival blues and so I thought I might write a review of one of the most overshadowed acts of the weekend, Jagwar Ma. Of course The Rolling Stones were the highlight of the weekend, and one of the most monumental experiences of my life, but that was expected and there was no doubt in my mind that when the musical talent and years of crafted showmanship of The Rolling Stones came together with that indispensable Glastonbury atmosphere that it would be nothing short of mind blowing. Yes, they look like they've come back from the dead, but myself and the other 100,000 or so members of the crowd couldn't care less, they all sounded just as great as they did back in the 60s and music history was made, in a festival that embraces the best of British culture and is one of the few assets us Britons can still be patriotic about.
But anyway, more to the point, Jagwar Ma! They played on the John Peel Stage, in a sweaty, humid, majestic tent on Saturday afternoon to what went from a half empty tent, to a pretty much full and far from modest crowd. They are one of the few bands that Radio 1 has rightly given huge appraisal too, and in my opinion, one of the more deserving bands. They have also been praised by the one and only Noel Gallagher who has stated that he is 'too busy talking about Jagwar Ma and Temples' to reform Oasis so already you should have more than enough reasons to give them a listen. I listened to their album prior to Glastonbury over and over again and fell in love with it each time, it's Primal Scream meets The Stone Roses meets Tame Impala, meets late 80s/ 90s acid house music that came alive during the 'Madchester' scene, of which Jagwar Ma would fit right into.If you haven't listened to the album already, then climb out of the rock you're hiding under and listen to what will become one of the albums of your summer. They started their set with 'What Love' and the bass literally sent vibrations through the whole crowd, and also sent an immediately captivated swarm of people entering the tent to see what was going on.
Their debut album 'Howlin' sounds incredible on record but it is a whole new and different psychedelic experience live, especially at Glastonbury, of all places. The lead singer does not hold himself back at all, so much so that by the end of the set he was lying on the stage floor doing some sort of weird dance that almost looked as if he was participating in some sort of weird ritual or an exorcism. It was all very weird, but strangely endearing at the same time and the crowd fed from his energy and at one point you could see by the bewildered expression on his face that he was completely overwhelmed by the reception they received. They ended their set with the most critically acclaimed single on their album 'The Throw' with the guitar churning out Stone Roses-esque riffs, and the crowd singing along to the one song that they all knew thanks to the overwhelming radio play that it so rightly deserves. It's the sort of music that should be played in clubs, but isn't, if it was it may prevent me from being such a recluse and get me out of the house more. It's also interesting that they have the same structure as The XX, a guitarist, a bassist, a synth pad and a DJ at the back however, the sound that is produced could not be more different. Their set for me was in the top five of the weekend, and they exceeded my already high expectations so look out for them touring as they are not worth missing. But for now, if you haven't heard it already here's Jagwar Ma with 'The Throw' but make sure you check out the rest of the album too, there's no dodgy singles lurking in there I can assure you.
Enjoy.
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