The August Bank Holiday has become something of a mecca for music fans with numerous music events taking place over the extended weekend. Despite some mixed weather, everything seemed to go to plan, except at Leeds…
Musically the LEEDS FESTIVAL was deemed a success, but promoters Mean Fiddler may struggle to gain use of the Temple Newsam site again next year have a small number of festival-goers went on the rampage. After Sunday night’s Foo Fighters set some 500 fans started to cause trouble, attacking police with bottles and debris and setting fire to 71 toilet units. Similar violence at the end of last year’s Leeds Festival led to local authorities initially refusing Mean Fiddler permission to use the site. The festival promoters appealed and got the decision revoked, but after this weekend many think they might not be so successful next year.
West Yorkshire Police’s Inspector Nick Dyson told reporters: "Police say the violence, which is believed to have involved several hundred people, was determined and sustained and have condemned it as mindless." Local councillor Lee Benson said people living in the area were "disgusted" by the trouble and added that he thought the violence considerably strengthened the local’s case to stop the event happening there. "The main objection has always been the damage which the event does to the park.” he told NME.com. “The violence over the past two year has just been an add on. Local people will be disgusted by what has happened and they will be determined to fight on."
But Mean Fiddler were optimistic. Calling the trouble ‘regrettable’ Mean Fiddler MD Melvin Benn said: "There were a series of incidents involving up to 500 people in which 71 toilets and one porta-cabin were damaged by fire. No festival goers were injured. Police and security attended, contained and dealt with the situation. In the context of the first sell-out Leeds Festival which saw 50,000 people enjoy the live return of Guns 'N' Roses after nine years and the return of the Prodigy after four years and three days of the best music festival in Britain, the actions of under 1% of the crowd, while regrettable, should not be allowed to detract from a very successful weekend which has put Leeds Festival firmly on the UK music map. We will not give in to the mindless minority and will strive to make it more successful next year. The Leeds Festival will have a very long and successful future."
Leed’s sister fest and the seminal August Bank Holiday event – the READING FESTIVAL – went off pretty much trouble free. There the decision of Ash to play their full set, despite doctors warning drummer Rock McMurray about performing for more than ten minutes after being involved in a bus crash in the US, was the main story of the weekend. Word is the Foo Fighters stole the show on Saturday while the Prodigy put in a storming performance on Sunday. Pulp and The Strokes also delivered the goods.
The most recent addition to the Carling Weekend – Glasgow’s GIG ON THE GREEN – could have done with bigger crowds, local press putting down poor ticket sales to a lack of stars on the line up. Only a handful of the Reading / Leeds line up make it to the Scottish event, though those that did enjoyed probably the best weather of the weekend. Pulp, The White Stripes and Janes Addiction all entertained an enthusiastic crowd and The Strokes, while criticised by some as “not being big enough for a headline act” certainly impressed those that had bought tickets.
Up in the Northwest, whatever the future of its club home, CREAMFIELDS 2002 in hometown Liverpool was a huge success – the threat of rain never really materialising – the crowd seemed up for having one of hell of a party. The announcement by Faithless that this would be their last live gig for years made for increased anticipation, and the headline act did not disappoint, with Underworld also impressing the eager crowd.
Also in Liverpool, Beatles fans from across the world celebrated the life of George Harrison at the 2002 MATHEW STREET FESTIVAL. George’s sister Louise Harrison opened the event which centres on the street where the group played their first gigs at the famous Cavern Club. She said: "George certainly has contributed his share to putting Liverpool on the map but also for raising people's awareness as to everybody on this planet being one family." Nearly half a million people are estimated to have watched 150 bands from 22 countries performing at more than 40 venues across the city over the weekend.
Down in the capital the NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL went down well. Crowds peaked at an estimated 850,000, but arrests were minimal. The Notting Hill Carnival Trust had employed an extra 600 stewards and slightly altered the carnival's route to help encourage safety. Debbie Gardener from the Trust told the BBC: "We have worked closely with the Metropolitan Police Service to devise a strategy that we believe to be the most effective means of ensuring the safety of all participants and attendee's at the carnival. Thanks to the Greater London Authority, we have been able to execute a plan that involves the recruitment of 940 stewards from the local community who are committed to the success of Carnival."
And finally, in a muddy North Wales field, the FAENOL FESTIVAL, was also considered a success with a string of Welsh performers - Martine McCutcheon, Claire Sweeney and David Shannon and a number of welsh language acts entertaining the crowds!