Grumbles about the excessive rain, shortage of ponchos and mud the likes not seen since Woodstock all paled in significance when you realised what a homely affair Hydro Connect is and how grown up it all feels. Heading straight to the Oyster stage to witness the antics of Belfast’s beautiful Duke Special, a small, soggy, but enthusiastic crowd lap up the theatrics of the piano/gramophone playing maestro. A big fan since way back, my only concern was the move more and more away from classic piano ballads to more ommpa-ommpa Rufus Wainwrightish self indulgence. But the Duke delivers you from the surreal clown that was his backing vocalist by his intricate and poignant lyrics, a true Irish poet. A sit down and a Pear Cider later everyone is dried out and ready to tackle some more Connect fun.
A trek back to the main stage, so much more straightforward than most festival routes, turns out to be a big fat waste of time as the only thing waiting there is a blue catsuit wearing Santogold, and despite an impressive performance, the crowd seemed only stirred by the most recognisable tunes. So a quick scout around the site to see what other delights are on offer. Due to the continuing rain, the Speakeasy Tent was stacked to the rafters, so much so that it was nigh on impossible to see or hear what was going on, but whatever it was, it was popular! The tone of the festival is nicely set here in the corner where folk take a break and read the Sunday papers with their feet up whilst still surrounded by music, poetry, public speaking and more cider. Lovely.
A highlight of the afternoon then in Elbow. Performing a note perfect show they were tight as a newborn’s belly button – all puns intended, they were great, and everyone thought so, even the sun. ‘Grounds for Divorce’ is truly a memorable moment in the life of this band and live they just get better and better, though I have to wonder if their perfection could one day lead to overwhelming blandness. Needless to say finishing their set with the feelgood singalong ‘One Day Like This’ gave a happy feeling that put the crowd in an even finer mood for the second half of the day.
Coming over the brow of the hill with Inverary Castle behind me and a very worn looking Levellers singing ‘There’s only one way of life’ in front of me, I had to laugh. Jeremy’s flowing red dreads still dominate the stage all these years on and only the skills of the fiddle player (complete with broken foot) and the still dulcet tones of the frontman keep the anti establishment spirit alive. It was a welcome blast from the past.
Goldfrapp glamour arrive onstage to clean up the mess left behind by all those inconsiderate hippies and perform a pop set complete with sunshine, getting the crowd dancing and swanning about in the mud to all that ‘O La La La Lasss’. Beautiful, I’m jealous.
Clearly the highlight of the entire festival had to be Sigur Ros… Ok, so I was only there one day, but this can only be true as there is no finer band to see live in such stunning scenery. Prepare for a review of hyperbolic proportions as I argue, (or rather state, as you would be foolish to argue otherwise) that Sigur Ros are the finest band around and blew the rest of them out of the waters of Loch Fyne. The lengthy set, which drew from most of their albums, highlighted the shift up a gear on the latest album, it’s like their talent has become more concentrated and with the joy of ‘Gobbledigook’ its all become just that little bit lighter. Complete with brass band, the glammed up Amina girls and a new jacket for Jonsi to replace the Icelandic knitwear, there’s a momentous feeling seeping through every song. The whole set is an emotional journey and though you may not believe me if you’ve never seen them live, by the time the drummer (who deserves his golden crown) powers through the set closer and the sound destroys everything in its path, there’s not a dry eye in the house. Legends – and what must surely have been an impossible act to follow.
But bravely follow the Franz did, and by all accounts played a cracking show with plenty of new tunes to keep their fellow Scots entertained. As the sun set on Connect, it feels like the festival has been around longer than 2 years and many will be already be looking to next summer’s event.