get loaded in THE park 2007

There is, however, a friendly face here to welcome us: ART BRUT are looking like a Hawaiian version of the Adams Family, and Eddy’s being chased by a particularly determined wasp. This doesn’t stop him cracking a few ribs as he attempts to crowd-surf, and drawing huge cheers with the likes of ‘Emily Kane’. THE WOMBATS translate well to the big mamma stage. What is it about them though? People are like “I love them!” but “Oooo I’m not sure actually!” – well let’s stop the chattering of teeth – they surf, they rock, they rule. To the XFM tent, and IFORWARD RUSSIA!’s singer is on the edge of sanity: he warbles like a man who’s balls are being tickled. It’s fast, thrilling, and makes about as much sense as a tap dancing monkey. RUMBLE STRIPS are easier to fall for – they have the big choons after all. Singer Charlie Waller is looking increasingly like Donnie Darko, and when he hits the high notes it feels good to be alive. THE GO! TEAM are to Get Loaded 2007 what Santana were to Woodstock 1969: a band with shitloads of drums. 10ft high inflatable balls are unleashed on the crowd as our heroes make like a 1970s kung fu soundtrack. Meanwhile, the XFM stage is running at 150% capacity for DIZZEE RASCALL who comes on to the kind of cheers normally reserved for football teams. His hip hoppity grooves send the audience into hysteria, with scantily clad women climbing the tent poles. Alas, his microphone is so muffled that we haven’t the feckiest what he’s saying. DIRTY PRETTY THINGS save ‘Bang Bang You’re Dead’ till last, then seeth off stage like the defeated mongrels they are. By contrast, Mike Skinner walks on like a champ as THE STREETS close. He’s had an equal, if not larger influence on the decade than even The Strokes, and he’ll be damned if this party won’t go out with a bang. Hence, ‘Don’t Mug Yourself’ and ‘Let’s Push Things Forward’ send telepathic messages to peoples asses, and the evening closes on a hedonistic high.